Efficacy of a Psychoeducative Program for Improving Quality of Life in Fibromyalgic Patients [Study Protocol]

Efficacy of a Psychoeducative Program for Improving Quality of Life in Fibromyalgic Patients [Study Protocol]

This research project pretends to demonstrate that a psychoeducative program implemented in the context of PC can produce a significant increase in the quality of life of patients with FM, as well as a decrease in the use of sanitary and social services, compared to usual care.

Most fibromyalgic patients are attended at primary care (PC). However, the effectiveness of the treatments prescribed by general practitioners is usually scarce. The main objective of the present research is to assess the efficacy of a structured psychoeducative intervention, combined with relaxation, developed to improve the quality of life of patients suffering fibromyalgia (FM). The second objective is to assess the cost-effectiveness of this multimodal intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with aged between 18-75 years-old who meet the diagnostic criteria of fibromyalgia established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with a diagnosis not based on the ACR criteria
• Those with cognitive impairment or suffering from physical mental/psychiatric limitations
• Severe concurrent rheumatologic illness that impede participation in the study evaluations
• Those who are not expected to live at least 12 months
• Those without schooling.