OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term efficacy of an interdisciplinary group intervention of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) as compared with (Canadian) standard medical care. METHODS: The program, called Interactional School of Fibromyalgia (ISF), consists of 9 meetings (during 11 weeks) with eight participants and two facilitators. Sixty women with FM were randomly assigned to one of two groups (ISF or Control group). Outcomes variables were: clincal pain and energy (Visual analogue scale and five Multidimentional Pain Iventory (Pain severtity, Pain iterference, Life control, Affective distress and Support from significant others). These variables were measured at baseline; immediately after the program; 4 months and 1 year later. RESULTS: Efficacy analyses from completers showed a treatment effect on measures even after one year. The aderence of ISF was 97%. Analyses of variance (2 × 3) and Intent-to-treat analyses indicate that ISF group experienced lower pain (all ps < 0,05) even at the one year follow up. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the long-term efficacy of this group intervention. Strategies to increase patients' adherence were discuted.
fibromyalgia; interdisciplinary group intervention long term effects; active participation of patients; treatment adherence
