A meta-analysis of fibromyalgia treatment interventions.

Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
1999
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
Date Published
1999 Spring
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.