Abstract
The difficulties in finding successful treatments for patients with fibromyalgia are well known within the field of rheumatology. Indeed, only one drug has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia, and must be used at high doses to elicit a response. A recent study by Rooks et al. evaluated physical exercise interventions in patients with fibromyalgia and found evidence of symptom improvement. Patients allocated to the exercise regimens showed significant reductions in pain that were sustained through a 6-month follow-up period. Improvements in functioning, depression and vitality, attributable to exercise, were also substantial. Random assignment to multiple treatments, the use of state-of-the-art methods and measures, and a close examination of effects in comparison to control conditions all add confidence in the findings of the Rooks et al. study. Despite some problems with the study, including its relatively short duration and the increased attrition rate in the control group, clinicians should be encouraged to incorporate a rigorous exercise program into their therapeutic strategies for patients with fibromyalgia. Several other behavioral interventions that focus on strengthening the resilience capacities of those suffering from chronic pain are also currently being tested.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Perrot S et al. (2008) Fibromyalgia: harmonizing science with clinical practice considerations. Pain Pract 8: 177–189
Mease PJ et al. (2008) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial, of pregabalin in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 35: 502–514
Rook DS et al. (2007) Group exercise, education, and combination self-management in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized trial. Arch Intern Med 167: 2192–2200
Burckhardt CS (2006) Multidisciplinary approaches for the management of fibromyalgia. Curr Pharm Des 12: 59–66
NIH Clinical Trials [http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Fibromyalgia%22] (accessed 17 May 2008)
Current Controlled Trials [http://www.controlled-trials.com] (accessed 17 May 2008)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Ethics declarations
Competing interests
The author declares no competing financial interests.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zautra, A. Strengthening resilience capacity might light the way to a brighter future for patients with fibromyalgia. Nat Rev Rheumatol 4, 512–513 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncprheum0858
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncprheum0858
This article is cited by
-
Verhaltenstraining als zusätzlicher Therapieansatz bei rheumatoider Arthritis
rheuma plus (2016)
-
Verhaltenstraining als zusätzlicher Therapieansatz bei rheumatoider Arthritis
Zeitschrift für Rheumatologie (2015)