Community-based Intervention for Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Trial

A Multi-disciplinary, Community-based Group Intervention for Fibromyalgia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a multi-factorial chronic pain condition characterized by fluctuating and heterogeneous symptoms. This leads to both reduced patient function and quality of life and consequentially, significant economic burden on the society. Although numerous pharmaceutical and multi-treatment approaches exist, there is lack of an integrated multidisciplinary model of care for these patients. Such a system is hypothesized to be beneficial for the patients and would help them regain function and significantly improve their quality of life. The primary aim of this pilot clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated community-based multidisciplinary model of care for FM patients in Penticton and surrounding areas. The comprehensive 10 week intervention will provide care from a team of health care providers (psychiatrist, physiotherapist, certified exercise therapist, dietitian, rheumatologist, and mental health clinician). Patients will also attend a peer led pain self-management support group provided by the Arthritis Society. The study aims at educating these patients about self-management of their symptoms such as chronic pain, weight, sleep and mood disorders. The integration of health care between the different providers will be achieved by "huddle" sessions that will be conducted on a monthly basis. The evaluation of the study outcomes will be based on the RE-AIM framework. Data will be collected through patient questionnaires, healthcare utilization data, and interviews with providers. Data analysis will involve thematic analysis of qualitative data and statistical methods for quantitative data.

The 10-week intervention will include twice weekly 1-2 hours sessions with multiple professional team members to undergo education and exercise sessions. The multidisciplinary team will consist of a rheumatologist, rheumatology nurse, dietitian, physiotherapist, a trained exercise therapist, a physiologist who specializes in pain management, a psychiatrist and a mental health clinician. All intervention team members have expertise in working with individuals with chronic pain conditions. General disease information, current best practices and techniques such as self-pain management, pacing, sleep hygiene, approach to a healthy lifestyle and weight loss will be discussed. The total number of hours for the 10 week intervention is 31 hours.

Usual care involves being referred to the local rheumatologist involved in the study. The rheumatologist and the rheumatology nurse will see the control group patients during a one hour one on one consultation appointment. During that time the patient's history will be taken, physical exam performed and investigations analyzed. If a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is confirmed, the rheumatologist and nurse will counsel the patient and provide resources for self directed management. Unless there is a concern of an alternative diagnosis, follow up will not be arranged.

Patient assessment of care received as measured by the Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care Questionnaire

Physical disease and mental health related functioning as measured by Revised-Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire

Questionnaire to be administered to gather patient perspectives on self-management resources offered via hard copy, online, and social media

Questionnaire to be administered to gather patient perspectives on self-management resources offered via hard copy, online, and social media

Inclusion Criteria: formal diagnosis of FM resident of Penticton or surrounding area adults, aged 19 and older fluent in English or bring a family member/friend to assist with translation capacity to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: patients with a severe and/or chronic medical or psychiatric condition that would impact ability to participate in the intervention patients who are pregnant or lactating

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