The impact of a meditation-based stress reduction program on fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and resistance to treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program on fibromyalgia. Seventy-seven patients meeting the 1990 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology for fibromyalgia took part in a 10-week group outpatient program. Therapists followed a carefully defined treatment approach and met weekly to further promote uniformity. Patients were evaluated before and after the program. Initial evaluation included a psychiatric structured clinical interview (SCID). Outcome measures included visual analog scales to measure global well-being, pain, sleep, fatigue, and feeling refreshed in the morning. Patients also completed a medical symptom checklist, SCL-90-R, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and the Fibromyalgia Attitude Index. Although the mean scores of all the patients completing the program showed improvement, 51% showed moderate to marked improvement and only they were counted as "responders." These preliminary findings suggest that a meditation-based stress reduction program is effective for patients with fibromyalgia.
Kaplan
K H
KH
Arthritis-Fibromyalgia Center, Newton Wellesley Hospital, Massachusetts.
Goldenberg
D L
DL
Galvin-Nadeau
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D001364:Awareness; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012803:Sick Role; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome