Phone-Based CBT Is Effective in Easing Chronic Widespread Pain

Exercise was roughly equally as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy, and both together were even better.

Patients with chronic widespread pain, a major feature of fibromyalgia, can benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), but access to CBT often is difficult. U.K. researchers randomized 442 patients with chronic widespread pain (mean age, 56; 70% women) to telephone-delivered CBT, graded-exercise therapy, both together, or usual care. Telephone-based CBT consisted of weekly 30- to 45-minute sessions for 7 weeks, followed by single sessions at 3 and 6 months. Exercise therapy was administered in six monthly sessions led by fitness instructors who encouraged progressive aerobic activity at least twice weekly.

Adherence was about 70% for telephone-based CBT and 50% for exercise therapy. At 9 months, the proportions of patients who reported…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

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Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Phone-Based CBT Is Effective in Easing Chronic Widespread Pain

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Reviewing Author