Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] in the fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS].

Method: Sixty females, aged 18 to 65 years, with FMS, without previous treatment were randomized in CBT intervention group [10 structured group sessions once a week] or control group [routine weekly medical visits], for 10 weeks. The following instruments were used: visual analog scale, Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short form Health Survey [SF-36], subcomponent state of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and the average number of paracetamol tablets. Additionally, patients were asked if they had improved “much,” “moderately,” “a little,” “nothing,” or felt “worse” on a Likert scale.

Results: Patients in the CBT group presented significantly lower depression index and higher mental health score studied by the SF-36. Mean weekly intake of paracetamol tablets for pain controlwas significantly lower in CBT patients. In both groups, we observed statistically significant improvement in all the parameters over time.

Conclusions: Patients under CBT needed significantly less analgesic tablets, and they achieved better responses in respect to depression and mental health than the controls. This result is expected since CBT is a psychological intervention.

KEYWORDS:

• Fibromyalgia syndrome
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• chronic pain
• psychological intervention