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Efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions for individual features of fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Pain
January 1, 1970
Burak Kundakci et al. (7 authors)
Journal ArticleMeta-AnalysisSystematic ReviewResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to assess the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions, including massage, on symptoms and disease-specific quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.

Results Summary

Massage improved Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores, indicating a positive effect on overall symptom burden in fibromyalgia patients. The study did not specify the magnitude of improvement for massage compared to other interventions.

Population

People with fibromyalgia aged >16 years.

Effective Dosage

Not available

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (18)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
Exercise
decrease
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
improved
#1
Psychological treatments
decrease
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
improved
#2
Multidisciplinary modality
decrease
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
improved
#3
Balneotherapy
decrease
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
improved
#4
Massage
decrease
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
improved
#5
all forms of exercise
decrease
pain
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.72 to -0.96
improved
#6
all forms of exercise
decrease
depression
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.35 to -1.22
improved
#7
flexibility exercise
no change
pain
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
did not improve
#8
flexibility exercise
no change
depression
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
did not improve
#9
Mind-body exercises
decrease
fatigue
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.77 to -1.00
improved
#10
Strengthening exercises
decrease
fatigue
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.77 to -1.00
improved
#11
Aerobic exercises
decrease
sleep
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.74 to -1.33
improved
#12
Strengthening exercises
decrease
sleep
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.74 to -1.33
improved
#13
Psychological treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness
decrease
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.35 to -0.55
improved
#14
Psychological treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness
decrease
pain
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.35 to -0.55
improved
#15
Psychological treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness
decrease
sleep
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.35 to -0.55
improved
#16
Psychological treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness
decrease
depression
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
effect size -0.35 to -0.55
improved
#17
Psychological treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness
no change
fatigue
people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years
-
did not improve
#18
Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a highly heterogeneous condition, but the most common symptoms are widespread pain, fatigue, poor sleep, and low mood. Nonpharmacological interventions are recommended as first-line treatment of fibromyalgia. However which interventions are effective for the different symptoms is not well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions on symptoms and disease-specific quality of life. Seven databases were searched from their inception until June 1, 2020. Randomised controlled trials comparing any nonpharmacological intervention to usual care, waiting list, or placebo in people with fibromyalgia aged >16 years were included without language restriction. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was the primary outcome measure. Standardised mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated using random effects model. The risk of bias was evaluated using the modified Cochrane tool. Of the 16,251 studies identified, 167 randomised controlled trials (n = 11,012) assessing 22 nonpharmacological interventions were included. Exercise, psychological treatments, multidisciplinary modality, balneotherapy, and massage improved FIQ. Subgroup analysis of different exercise interventions found that all forms of exercise improved pain (effect size [ES] -0.72 to -0.96) and depression (ES -0.35 to -1.22) except for flexibility exercise. Mind-body and strengthening exercises improved fatigue (ES -0.77 to -1.00), whereas aerobic and strengthening exercises improved sleep (ES -0.74 to -1.33). Psychological treatments including cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness improved FIQ, pain, sleep, and depression (ES -0.35 to -0.55) but not fatigue. The findings of this study suggest that nonpharmacological interventions for fibromyalgia should be individualised according to the predominant symptom.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ExerciseExercise TherapyFibromyalgiaHumansPainQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality85/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations51
Citations/Year17.0
Relative Citation Ratio10.64
NIH Percentile98.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.95
Weight Score1.93
Normalized Score0.67
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