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 d elivering a package of nonpharmacologic, behavioral-based treatment, previo usly found to be effective in chronic back pain, to patients with fibromyal gia (FM) and to assess the efficacy of the intervention using a range of ou tcome 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-behavio ral 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. Sign ificant 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 admi nistered to subjects with FM and appears to produce sustained benefit in a range of outcomes. Controlled trials are currently being planned.