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

Jordi Miró (), Meritxell Lleixà-Daga, Rocío de la Vega, Pere Llorens-Vernet and Mark P. Jensen
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Jordi Miró: Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carretera de Valls, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
Meritxell Lleixà-Daga: Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carretera de Valls, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
Rocío de la Vega: Faculty of Psychology, Andalucía Tech. Campus de Teatinos, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Pere Llorens-Vernet: Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carretera de Valls, 43007 Tarragona, Spain
Mark P. Jensen: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-8

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.

Keywords: fibromyalgia syndrome; mHealth; mobile app; psychological treatment; pain; digital health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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