Abstract

COMECHE MORENO, Mª Isabel et al. Group Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Protocol for Fibromyalgia Patients. Clínica y Salud [online]. 2010, vol.21, n.2, pp.107-121. ISSN 2174-0550.

The purpose of this study is to verify whether a cognitive behavioral treatment protocol, designed specifically for use in a group of fibromyalgia patients, may help to alleviate emotional problems and improve the coping of the disease. The study involved a total of 34 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia, all belonging to the Fibromyalgia Association of Madrid (AFIBROM). The program was divided into 10 sessions of two hours duration on a weekly basis. The evaluation was pre- and post-treatment with follow-up after 3 months, and participants completed questionnaires: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Anxiety and Depression Scale Hospital (HAD) Self Efficacy Scale (SES), Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and Self-recording of pain. The results showed a clinically and statistically significant improvement between pre- and post-treatment depression with both the BDI and the HAD-D, as well as in the anxiety variable with HAD-A. This improvement was maintained at the follow-up 3 months after treatment ended. Also, at the end of the intervention a statistically significant increase is shown in all measures of self-efficacy and a significant decrease in the thoughts of rumination and magnification, though this is not maintained consistently at follow-up. Finally it is to be noted that even though after the intervention there was a reduction in average pain reported by the patients, this decrease is not statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that this group treatment protocol has proven effective in alleviating the emotional problems associated with fibromyalgia, lowering ruminative thoughts and improving their self-perception in combating their disease. Finally, the desirability of conducting follow-up maintenance sessions to consolidate the results obtained should be noted.

Keywords : cognitive-bahavioral therapy; fibromyalgia; protocol program; emotional problems; coping with disease.

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