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Published on: January 5, 2024
Affective-cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial
Robert L Woolfolk1, Lesley A Allen, Jeffrey T Apter
1Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Pain Research and Treatment
|November 24, 2011
Summary
Cognitive behavioral therapy significantly reduced pain and improved functioning in fibromyalgia patients. This affective-cognitive approach demonstrated lasting benefits in a randomized controlled trial.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and functional impairment.
- Current treatments offer limited relief for many patients.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to manage fibromyalgia symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of an individually administered affective-cognitive behavioral therapy (ACBT) for fibromyalgia.
- To compare ACBT combined with treatment-as-usual (TAU) against TAU alone.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 76 fibromyalgia patients.
- Patients were assigned to either ACBT + TAU or TAU alone.
- Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment (3 months), and follow-up (9 months).
Main Results:
- Patients receiving ACBT + TAU reported significantly less pain compared to the control group.
- Improved overall functioning was observed in the ACBT + TAU group at both post-treatment and follow-up.
- The positive effects of ACBT were sustained over the 9-month follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- Individually administered ACBT is an effective treatment for reducing pain and enhancing functioning in fibromyalgia patients.
- ACBT offers a promising therapeutic option for managing fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Further research should explore long-term outcomes and mechanisms of ACBT in fibromyalgia.
