Research in Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndromes:

Objectives: To evaluate the current status of fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and myofascial pain syndrome [MPS], including methodological and statistical problems, and suggest future directions for research. Results: A number of well designed controlled studies in FMS have been most helpful for a better understanding of this disorder in recent years, while a lack of validated criteria has hampered meaningful research in MPS. Methodological and statistical errors published articles are common in both MPS and FMS. Conclusions: Based on current status of knowledge and problems, several suggestions are made for future research. MPS urgently needs a set of reliable and valid criteria. Aberrant central pain mechanisms may be the most important pathophysiological basis of both conditions and should be fully investigated in future studies.