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A Mobile Application to Help Self-Manage Pain Severity, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pilot Study

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  • Jordi Miró

    (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carretera de Valls, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
    Unit for the Study and Treatment of Pain—ALGOS, Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain)

  • Meritxell Lleixà-Daga

    (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carretera de Valls, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
    Unit for the Study and Treatment of Pain—ALGOS, Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain)

  • Rocío de la Vega

    (Faculty of Psychology, Andalucía Tech. Campus de Teatinos, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
    Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA), Avda. Jorge Luis Borges n°15, Bl.3 Pl.3, 29010 Málaga, Spain)

  • Pere Llorens-Vernet

    (Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carretera de Valls, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
    Unit for the Study and Treatment of Pain—ALGOS, Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain)

  • Mark P. Jensen

    (Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

Abstract

Treatment for individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is complex and is not always accessible to those who could benefit. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a mobile-app-delivered, cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT)-based intervention in helping adults self-manage fibromyalgia symptoms. A total of 100 adults with FMS ( M [SD] age = 49.81, [9.99] years; 94% women) were given access to the digital treatment program and downloaded the app. Pain severity, anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, fatigue, and sleep quality were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Fifty-three of the potential participants completed the 47-day treatment. Data showed significant improvements in pain severity ( p = 0.007, d = 0.43), anxiety ( p = 0.011, d = 0.40) and depressive symptoms ( p = 0.001, d = 0.50) from pre-treatment to post-treatment. The effect sizes associated with app use are consistent with improvements seen in previously published clinical trials of CBT for FMS. Improvements were generally maintained, although there was some decrease in the outcomes from post-treatment to the 3-month follow-up. Most participants reported that they were very satisfied with the app. The use of the app was associated with similar levels of improvements found with in-person CBT treatment for FMS. Research to evaluate the effectiveness of the app in a controlled trial is warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordi Miró & Meritxell Lleixà-Daga & Rocío de la Vega & Pere Llorens-Vernet & Mark P. Jensen, 2022. "A Mobile Application to Help Self-Manage Pain Severity, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-8, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12026-:d:922758
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian Walitt & Richard L Nahin & Robert S Katz & Martin J Bergman & Frederick Wolfe, 2015. "The Prevalence and Characteristics of Fibromyalgia in the 2012 National Health Interview Survey," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, September.
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