Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 12, 2025

Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
Integrated intervention for comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder and fibromyalgia: A pilot study of women veterans
Katharine Lacefield1, Stephanie Pavlos Samph2, Stephanie Orbon2
1Department of Psychology, Washington DC VA Medical Center.
Objective:
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are two commonly co-occurring conditions among women veterans. Each contributes to functional impairment that is compounded in those with both diagnoses. This emphasizes the need for integrated evidence-based treatments aimed at reducing symptoms of both. This pilot study examined feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an integrated treatment combining elements of cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain and cognitive processing therapy in a small sample of women veterans with PTSD and FMS.
Method:
Participants completed 12 sessions of an integrated treatment for PTSD and FMS, and symptoms of PTSD, FMS, and depression were evaluated using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian (PCL-C), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), respectively. Data were analyzed by identification of trends in scores due to small sample size.
Results:
Five of 11 eligible veterans completed all 12 sessions of the treatment. The mean pretreatment score on the FIQR was 82.81, and the mean pretreatment PCL-C score was 72.5. At posttreatment, the mean FIQR score decreased to 68.9 and the PCL-C score decreased to 60.8. The average reduction on PHQ-9 scores was 11 points, and all participants reported high satisfaction with treatment.
Conclusions:
Preliminary results suggest that integrated treatment of PTSD and FMS symptoms may help to improve chronic pain, PTSD, and depressive symptoms in women veterans with PTSD, in light of several identified limitations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Related Concept Videos
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Traumatic Memory
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

