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Published on: January 5, 2024
Development and evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for juvenile fibromyalgia
Pamela J Degotardi1, Emily S Klass, Batya S Rosenberg
1Schneider Children's Hospital, and Honors Center, CUNY Honors College at Queens College, Room 133, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11367-1597, USA. pdegotardi@honorscollege.cuny.edu
Objective:
To describe the development and test the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention (CBT) for juvenile fibromyalgia.
Method:
Sixty-seven children with fibromyalgia and their parents were recruited to participate in an 8-week intervention that included modules of pain management, psychoeducation, sleep hygiene, and activities of daily living. Children were taught techniques of cognitive restructuring, thought stopping, distraction, relaxation, and self-reward. Additionally, they kept daily pain and sleep diaries. Children completed questionnaires of pre- and post-treatment measuring physical status and psychological functioning.
Results:
Following CBT, children reported significant reductions (p < .006) in pain, somatic symptoms, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as improvements in sleep quality. Additionally, children reported improved functional ability and had fewer school absences.
Conclusion:
Children with fibromyalgia can be taught CBT strategies that help them effectively manage this chronic and disabling musculoskeletal pain disorder.
