The Use of D-Ribose in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Study

Objectives

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are debilitating syndromes which are often associated with impaired cellular energy metabolism. As D-Ribose has been shown to increase cellular energy synthesis in heart and skeletal muscle, this [jsc1] open-label uncontrolled pilot study was done to evaluate if D-Ribose could improve symptoms in fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Design

Forty-one (41) patients with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome were given D-Ribose, a naturally occurring pentose carbohydrate, at a dose of 5-g TID for a total of 280 grams. All patients completed questionnaires containing a Visual Analog Scale and global assessment pre- and post- D-Ribose administration.

Results

D-Ribose, which was well tolerated, resulted in a significant improvement in all five Visual Analog Scale categories: energy, sleep, mental clarity, pain intensity, and well being, as well as an improvement in patient's global assessment. Approximately 66% of the patients experienced significant improvement while on D-Ribose, with an average increase in energy on the Visual Analog Scale of 45% and an average improvement in overall well being of 30%, (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

D-Ribose significantly improved clinical symptoms in patients suffering from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.