Abstract

Objective: Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome of an unknown etiology characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and several others symptoms like poor sleep, fatigue and decreased physical fitness. These symptoms can lead to decreased Health Related Quality of Life and a high level of impediments. Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst is a natural treatment widely used in traditional medicine for beneficial properties. It can improve pain, the quality and the quantity of sleep, increase physical performance and raise the defence levels of the organism, between other potential benefits. Despite its potential benefits on fibromyalgia symptoms, to our knowledge, and to date there are no studies aimed at the assessment of the effects of the Ganoderma lucidum on pain within the fibromyalgic population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ganoderma lucidum on self-reported pain levels in women with fibromyalgia. Secondly, to compare the effects of both Ganoderma lucidum and the active placebo Ceratonia siliqua on the impact of fibromyalgia and health-related quality of life.

Methods: A double-blind randomized trial was carried out. One group took 6 g/day of Ganoderma lucidum powder for 6 weeks, while the second group took the same dosage of the active placebo Ceratonia siliqua flour. Pain levels were self-reported every morning over 72 days after the treatment started. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), its revised version (FIQ-R) and 15D questionnaire were used. Efficacy analysis was performed with a sample of 50 women.

Results: Ganoderma lucidum reduced the impact of fibromyalgia assessed using the FIQ. It also improved two dimensions of the 15D questionnaire: "Move" and "Sleep" compared to Ceratonia siliqua. Finally, Ganoderma lucidum could lead a reduction of up to 20-30% in pain levels. On the other hand, Ceratonia siliqua seemed to be ineffective in improving almost all analyzed variables.

Conclusion: Ours findings showed that six-weeks of the Ganoderma lucidum treatment could reduce the impact of fibromyalgia and pain levels, while increasing the health-related quality of life. Further studies will be necessary in order to identify the most adequate dose of Ganoderma lucidum and the optimal duration of the treatment. The current study lays down the foundation for future research, focused on Ganoderma lucidum as a complement for the treatment of FM.

Keywords: Alternative medicine; Ceratonia siliqua; Chronic disease; Clinical trial; Mushroom; Quality of life; Reishi