Efficacy of nonpharmacological interventions for individual features of fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
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
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 |
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.