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ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to test the feasibility of a new pain and fatigue self-management technique, bilateral stimulation and desensitization (BSD), in fibromyalgia (FM).
Methods: This mixed methods study contained a pilot randomized trial and a qualitative feedback assessment about using BSD as obtained from participant interviews. Twenty-nine subjects were recruited. Participants were mailed a BSD demonstration video, duplicate written instructions, and an mp3 file of the audio BSD technique. Online diaries tracked pain, fatigue, and intervention use.
Results: Post-enrollment attrition was 17.2%. Although pain and fatigue reduction were non-significant (p < .10), effect sizes were medium to large (d = .69–.72). In addition, pain catastrophizing was significantly reduced (p = .03; d = .80). Diary data showed significant reductions in fatigue and pain (p < .02) and participant usage of the BSD technique from 4.5 to 4.7 times/week. Twelve out of 14 (85.7%) interviewed subjects rated the program favorably for its convenience and effectiveness. Low-frequency side effects were reported for the BSD techniques of finger taps and sounds.
Conclusion: This development study showed initial feasibility of a brief self-management intervention that may show potential to reduce pain and fatigue in FM.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Fred Friedberg
Fred Friedberg is a research associate professor at Stony Brook University. His research focuses on chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Jenna L. Adamowicz
Jenna L. Adamowicz is a doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Iowa.
Indre Caikauskaite
Indre Caikauskaite is a clinical research associate in cardiology at Stony Brook University.