The effect of transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion blockade on pain, functional capacity, sleep, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia

Oktay Faysal Tertemiz1, Erkan Özduran2, Nermin Tepe3

1Department of Algology, İzmir Health Sciences University, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
2Division of Pain Medicine-Algology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylül University Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
3Department of Neurology, Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Balıkesir, Türkiye

Keywords: Fibromyalgia, pterygopalatine, sphenopalatine ganglion blockade.

Abstract

Objectives: The Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) is the target of interventional procedures in musculoskeletal pain, especially headaches, due to its role in the autonomic nervous system. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion blockade (SPGB) on pain, functional capacity, sleep, and depression in fibromyalgia patients.
Methods: The hospital records of fibromyalgia patients who applied to the Algology outpatient clinic between January and May 2021, unresponsive to standard medical treatments, and underwent six sessions of bilateral transnasal SPGB at 10-day intervals were analyzed retrospectively. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), functional capacity Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), sleep status Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and depression severity Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) data were collected during the treatment process.
Results: The mean NRS score of the patients before the treatment was 8.1852±1.71053, compared with 6.2593±2.29703 after the treatment. The mean FIQ score of the patients before the treatment was 73.0359±13.55302, compared with 54.2507±16.1906 after the treatment. After the treatment, the pain score, functional capacity, sleep quality, and depression of the patients were statistically significantly different than pretreatment (p<0.001).
Conclusion: SPGB has been found to positively affect pain, functional capacity, sleep disorders, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia.