Art Therapy to Treat Women With Fibromyalgia

Assessment of Art Therapy Program for Women With Fibromyalgia: Randomized, Controlled, Blinded Study

Effectiveness of an art therapy program for the treatment of pain and improvements in both quality of life and body image of patients with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic non-inflammatory syndrome characterized by diffuse pain throughout the body, sleep disorder, stiffness, fatigue, depression and other psychological problems. Patients with FM feel incapable of performing the majority of activities of daily living. Medication offers only short-term benefits. Thus, it is necessary to include other measures for treatment, such as physical activity and patient education. Art therapy combine the field of psychology with artistic activities, working with therapeutic and instructive aspects as well as the potential for personal growth contained in all forms of art.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Classification of fibromyalgia by ACR criteria (Wolf et al, 1990)
• Females
• Without distinction of race
• Age 18 to 65 years
• Do not have changed treatment for fibromyalgia for at least 3meses
• signing the consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other ostearticulares rheumatic and painful
• Decompensated cardio-respiratory diseases
• Perform physical activity more than 2x a week for more than 3 months