Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (Myers' Cocktail) for Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

David L. Katz, MD, MPH¹, Alyse B. Sabina, MPH¹, Lauren S. Liberti, MS¹, Anna-leila Williams, PA-C, MPH¹, Veronika Northrup, MPH¹, Valentine Yanchou Njike, MD, MPH¹, Ather Ali, ND, MPH¹, and Adam Perlman, MD, MPH². (1) Prevention Research Center / School of Public Health, Yale University, 130 Division Street, Derby, CT 06418, 203-732-1265 x210, ather.ali@yale.edu, (2) Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, 65 Bergen St., Rm. 101, P.O. Box 1709, Newark, NJ 07101-1709

Purpose: To assess effects of Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (IVMT) on pain, tenderness, functional status and quality of life in patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Methods: 34 subjects diagnosed with FMS were randomly assigned to IVMT or matching placebo. Intervention consisted of eight weekly treatments. Outcome measures included Tender Point Index (TPI), Beck Depression Index (BDI), and Health Status Questionnaire (HSQ). Subjects were evaluated at baseline, one-week post intervention, and 3-months post-intervention. Results: 31 subjects were randomized; 15 to intervention and 16 to placebo. At 1-week post intervention, TPI total survey site scores improved significantly from baseline values in the intervention group (-21.5 ± 24.9, p=0.0050), but not in the placebo group (-20.8 ± 35.7, p=0.0640). Quality of life, as measured by HSQ, also improved in the intervention group (3.5 ± 4.8, p=0.0210), but not in the placebo group (1.5 ± 7.8, p=0.4250). Significant improvements in BDI scores were seen in the intervention group (-4.1 ± 4.5, p=0.0040), but not in the placebo group (-3.7 ± 9.7, p=0.0980). The direction and significance of findings persisted at the 3-month post-intervention for TPI scores alone, noting a marginal significance for the placebo group. The magnitude of the improvements in all outcome measures did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between treatment groups. Conclusions: Findings suggest promising effects of IVMT, with improved pain, depression, and quality of life directly following intervention. IVMT effects persisted at 3-months post-intervention for pain, but not for quality of life and depression, possibly indicating lack of statistical power.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

Evaluate challenges in research of previously untested compounds.
Articulate the procedure for intravenous micronutrient therapy, also known as the Myers’ cocktail, a prevalent form of CAM therapy.
Discuss implications of research into CAM therapeutics and the impact of semi-invasive therapies in chronic disease.

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, Chronic Diseases

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Myers' cocktail, although widely used, has never been tested in the context of a randomized, controlled trial. In addition, the study under consideration was funded by NIH/NCCAM and, therefore, the researchers were obliged to submit an Investigational

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Herbal and Dietary Health Practices

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA