Mind-body therapy for treating fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

A systematic review of 27 studies (22 randomized controlled trials and 5 quasi-experimental studies) examined mind-body therapies for adults with fibromyalgia. Most therapies—guided imagery, qi gong, tai chi, biofeedback, yoga, mindfulness awareness training, and progressive muscle relaxation—showed significant improvements in pain at the end of treatment in at least one study. Multiple studies on guided imagery, qi gong, and tai chi also reported improvements in fatigue, multidimensional function, and sleep. About one-third of the studies reported adverse events. The evidence suggests mind-body therapies are potentially beneficial, but more research is needed to determine if effects persist.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and disabling condition that presents management challenges for both patients and healthcare providers. The objective of this systematic review was to summarize current evidence on the effectiveness and safety of mind-body therapies in the treatment and/or management of fibromyalgia. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, and CINAHL databases from their inception to December 2023. Eligible articles included adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia participating in a mind-body therapy intervention and were published from the beginning of 2012 onwards. We assessed the quality of the studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. Of 3866 records screened, 27 studies (30 articles) met our inclusion criteria, in which 22 were randomized controlled trials and 5 were quasi-experimental studies. Mind-body therapies included guided imagery (n = 5), mindfulness-based stress reduction (n = 5), qi gong (n = 5), tai chi (n = 5), biofeedback (n = 3), yoga (n = 2), mindfulness awareness training (n = 1), and progressive muscle relaxation (n = 1). With the exception of mindfulness-based stress reduction, all therapies had at least one study showing significant improvements in pain at the end of treatment. Multiple studies on guided imagery, qi gong, and tai chi observed significant improvements in pain, fatigue, multidimensional function, and sleep. Approximately one-third of the studies reported on adverse events. This review suggests that mind-body therapies are potentially beneficial for adults with fibromyalgia. Further research is necessary to determine if the positive effects observed post-intervention are sustained. Open Science Framework (https://osf.io) (September 12, 2023; https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/6w7ac).