Reviews
A psychoeducational intervention is a treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome
C. Conversano1, A. Poli2, R. Ciacchini3, P. Hitchcott4, L. Bazzichi5, A. Gemignani6
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy. ciro.conversano@unipi.it
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
- Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology, Critical and Care Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
CER12067
2019 Vol.37, N°1 ,Suppl.116
PI 0098, PF 0104
Reviews
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PMID: 30747101 [PubMed]
Received: 10/01/2019
Accepted : 22/01/2019
In Press: 08/02/2019
Published: 08/02/2019
Abstract
Although the mechanisms underlying fibromyalgia are not yet clear, many attempts have been made to implement pharmacological therapy and help patients manage its psychological and physical symptoms. Recent evidence has shown that an interdisciplinary multidimensional approach encompassing psychological factors, emotion regulation strategies and education on illness is more effective in improving quality of life, both in the short- and long-term, than usual treatments alone. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated overview of the available literature regarding the role of psychoeducation on fibromyalgia symptoms and health outcomes. We searched on PubMed Database with the keywords “fibromyalgia”, “education” and “psychology” and then divided the results of our research into four main categories: effectiveness of psychoeducational programs versus treatment as usual, psychoeducational interventions versus other non-pharmacological treatments, Online-based education programs and specific characteristics of the participants. Our research highlighted that most of the considered studies found significant positive results on patients’ condition, suggesting that an interdisciplinary intervention containing psychoeducation is an effective strategy in managing fibromyalgia symptoms.