Background/Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) affects 5 million Americans, and the prevalence is estimated to be 2- 6 percent in the general population. The symptoms associated with FM significantly affect patients’ quality of life and can lead to extensive use of health care services. Fibromyalgia is a chronic, widespread pain condition accompanied by fatigue, tenderness, decrements in physical functioning, sleep disturbance, and disruptions in psychological and cognitive functioning (for example, memory problems, diminished mental clarity (“fibro fog”), mood disturbances, and lack of well-being). In this study we investigated the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary program for FM on overall pain and disability resulting from this syndrome.

Methods: The Fibromyalgia Management Program at Casa Colina Hospital is an eight-week outpatient program based on a wellness model designed to educate patients with FM in the self-management of health.  Participants meet 3 times weekly and treatment includes pool therapy, education, relaxation, exercise, Yoga, and Tai Chi along with psychology and home management techniques. All patients enrolled in the outpatient FM program were asked to complete several outcomes at admission and discharge from the program, including the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Tampa scale, and general questions about fatigue and pain. Questions were asked to compare the original onset of symptoms with the initial date of diagnosis.

Results:

The study population consisted of 28 patients who completed the FM program. The mean age was 51 years with a range from 25 to 67 years. Using the FIQR, we found a significant reduction in the impact of fibromyalgia symptoms between admission and discharge. When patients were separated into two groups based on their initial FIQR scores we found that those with more severe involvement had more significant changes throughout the program when compared with patients with less involvement. The Tampa scale was used to assess fear of movement. While there was no overall significant change in movement-related fear avoidance patients did report a significant change in how they viewed the impact of pain throughout their body.

Conclusion:

Taken together our findings support the efficacy of an interdisciplinary approach including exercise, education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and home management skills to improve outcomes in patients with FM.  Specifically, we found the most significant changes in symptoms and impact of FM, resulting in improved daily life. Results from this study suggest the importance of establishing multidisciplinary treatment centers to deliver comprehensive primary care to people with Fibromyalgia.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/effectiveness-of-interdisciplinary-program-for-fibromyalgia/