The role of psychosocial factors in fibromyalgia syndrome

Objective: The main objective of this review was to evaluate the role of ps ychosocial factors in the development of fibromyalgia syndrome. Method: Review of the literature concerning the influence of psychosocial f actors. Results: In fibromyalgia syndrome psychosocial factors are relevant at diff erent etiological levels. They can be classified into predisposing, trigger ing and stabilising/"chronifying" factors. Conclusion: Due to the increasing knowledge about the influence of psychoso cial factors for the development of fibromyalgia, the biomedical model has to be expanded to a biopsychosocial model. The biopsychosocial concept has an impact on the therapeutic approach. Strong evidence for the model is pro vided by the good results of interdisciplinary treatment studies.