The efficacy of mindfulness meditation plus Qigong movement therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of rheumatology 2003-10, Vol.30 (10), p.2257-2262
• Main Authors: ASTIN, John A, BERMAN, Brian M, BAUSELL, Barker, LEE, Wen-Lin, HOCHBERG, Marc, FORYS, Kelly L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Breathing Exercises; Disability Evaluation; Diseases of the osteoarticular system. Orthopedic treatment; Fibromyalgia - physiopathology; Fibromyalgia - rehabilitation; Humans; Medical sciences; Meditation - methods; Mind-Body Relations, Metaphysical - physiology; Pain Management; Patient Education as Topic; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0315-162X; 1499-2752

OBJECTIVE: To test the short and longterm benefits of an 8 week mind-body intervention that combined training in mindfulness meditation with Qigong movement therapy for individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). METHODS: A total of 128 individuals with FM were randomly assigned to the mind-body training program or an education support group that served as the control. Outcome measures were pain, disability (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), depression, myalgic score (number and severity of tender points), 6 minute walk time, and coping strategies, which were assessed at baseline and at 8, 16, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Both groups registered statistically significant improvements across time for the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Total Myalgic Score, Pain, and Depression, and no improvement in the number of feet traversed in the 6 minute walk. However, there was no difference in either the rate or magnitude of these changes between the mind-body training group and the education control group. Salutary changes occurring by the eighth week (which corresponded to the end of the mind-body and education control group sessions) were largely maintained by both groups throughout the 6 month followup period. CONCLUSION: While both groups showed improvement on a number of outcome variables, there was no evidence that the multimodal mind-body intervention for FM was superior to education and support as a treatment option. Additional randomized controlled trials are needed before interventions of this kind can be recommended for treatment of FM.