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


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Creamer
P
P
Complementary Medicine Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
Singh
B B
BB
Hochberg
M C
MC
Berman
B M
BM
D000368:Aged; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001945:Breathing Exercises; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome