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Evidence-Based Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Fibromyalgia

  • Other Pain (A Kaye and N Vadivelu, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Pain and Headache Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Fibromyalgia (FM) is the second most common rheumatologic pain disorder after osteoarthritis with a multisystem presentation. While the treatment of FM in a clinical setting incorporates both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic modalities, the present investigation reviews evolving literature on cognitive behavioral and complementary medical therapies. The recent medical literature on FM was reviewed between 2012 and 2017 via MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and evidence-based treatment guidelines.

Recent Findings

Cognitive behavioral therapy continues to play a significant role in the non-medical therapy of FM. It is especially helpful in high catastrophizing patients as evidenced by recent studies that note changes in the brain on functional magnetic resonance imaging. Mindfulness meditation can be helpful in improving pain symptoms and pain perception. No particular diet is found to have a meaningful impact in FM; however, various diets including low fermentable oligo- di –monosaccharides and polyols diet, gluten free, and hypocaloric may be helpful in ameliorating gastrointestinal distress in select patient populations. Current literature does not support the routine use of acupuncture for improving pain or quality of life in FM; however, given its benign side effect profile, it should not be discouraged.

Summary

Goals for symptom management and pain control should be set early, and patient engagement remains critical in the management of this complex pain presentation. While low quality evidence exists for most non-pharmacologic treatment modalities for FM, CBT and mindfulness meditation show promise for future investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Mansoor M. Aman, R. Jason Yong & Richard D. Urman

  2. Department of Anesthesiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA

    Alan David Kaye

Authors
  1. Mansoor M. Aman
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  2. R. Jason Yong
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  3. Alan David Kaye
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  4. Richard D. Urman
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Correspondence to Richard D. Urman.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Other Pain

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Aman, M.M., Jason Yong, R., Kaye, A.D. et al. Evidence-Based Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Fibromyalgia. Curr Pain Headache Rep 22, 33 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0688-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-018-0688-2

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