A meta-analysis of fibromyalgia treatment interventions.
1999 Spring
Journal Article
Authors:
Rossy, L.A.;
Buckelew, S.P.;
Dorr, N.;
Hagglund, K.J.;
Thayer, J.F.;
McIntosh, M.J.;
Hewett, J.E.;
Johnson, J.C.
Secondary:
Ann Behav Med
Volume:
21
Pagination:
180-91
Issue:
2
PMID:
10499139
Keywords:
Activities of Daily Living; Exercise; Fibromyalgia; Health Status; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Psychotherapy; Psychotropic Drugs
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).METHODS: This meta-analysis of 49 fibromyalgia treatment outcome studies assessed the efficacy of pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment across four types of outcome measures-physical status, self-report of FMS symptoms, psychological status, and daily functioning.RESULTS: After controlling for study design, antidepressants resulted in improvements on physical status and self-report of FMS symptoms. All nonpharmacological treatments were associated with significant improvements in all four categories of outcome measures with the exception that physically-based treatment (primarily exercise) did not significantly improve daily functioning. When compared, nonpharmacological treatment appears to be more efficacious in improving self-report of FMS symptoms than pharmacological treatment alone. A similar trend was suggested for functional measures.CONCLUSION: The optimal intervention for FMS would include nonpharmacological treatments, specifically exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy, in addition to appropriate medication management as needed for sleep and pain symptoms.
