Sustained improvement produced by nonpharmacologic intervention in fibromyalgia: Results of a pilot study

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective The aim of this pilot study was to examine the practicality of delivering a package of nonpharmacologic, behavioral‐based treatment, previously found to be effective in chronic back pain, to patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and to assess the efficacy of the intervention using a range of outcome measures up to 4 months posttreatment. Methods Participants with FM (n = 28) formed a single group for 8 sessions at weekly intervals. Each session comprised an education/cognitive–behavioral component, formal relaxation/meditation training, and instruction in a Chinese movement therapy (Qi Gong). Results Twenty of 28 subjects completed at least 5 of the 8 sessions. Significant improvement was seen in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and a range of other outcome measures including tender points and pain threshold. Improvement was sustained 4 months after the end of the intervention. Conclusion A simple behavioral intervention using large groups can be administered to subjects with FM and appears to produce sustained benefit in a range of outcomes. Controlled trials are currently being planned.

This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit: