The goal was for participants to reach a 30% improvement in pain. “For individuals who were using the website, about 30% achieved an improvement in pain versus 8% in the standard care group. Thirty-one percent of those who used the website were able to improve their functional status, while only 6% of the standard care group did the same,” Dr. Williams said.
Although there were no statistically significant changes in the study’s secondary measures (fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and depressive symptoms) from using the website, patients did note that learning about exercise and relaxation were particularly helpful. Nearly 80% of those who had used the website felt their pain intervention measures actually helped, compared with 44% of those who did not have access to the Web component.
“A therapist-less, no-contact Web intervention helped reduce pain and improve physical function compared to standard care,” Dr. Williams said. “A Web-based intervention is easily offered in the context of specialty care to supplement pharmacological interventions.”
The modules used in Dr. William’s study are now available at www.KnowFibro.com.
Vanessa Caceres is a freelance medical writer in Bradenton, Fla.
References
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- Committee on Quality of Health Care in America, Institute of Medicine. Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press; 2001. p. 50.
- Williams DA, Kuper D, Segar M, Mohan N, Sheth M, Clauw DJ. Internet-enhanced management of fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial. Pain. 2010;151:694-702.
