Fibromyalgia affects women more often than men. People who suffer from fibromyalgia have widespread pain that can be associated with fatigue, sleeping problems, depression, anxiety, problems thinking, and exercise intolerance. Fibromyalgia can cause problems in the ability to function on a daily basis. This condition is still not clearly understood but is thought to be connected to problems with atypical processing in the central nervous system.  Treatment to date has included medication and exercise.

The author of this update has summarized some of the most recent findings in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Drugs, such as duloxetine, have shown promise for relief in pain severity, tender-point sensitivity, stiffness and quality in life.  Milnacipran, often used for depression, was used in a recent study in which the participants showed improvement in pain intensity, fatigue, morning stiffness, and physical function. Additionally, an antiepileptic drug (pregabalin),  used in a study of 529 patients, resulted in improvement in pain, fatigue, sleep, and quality of life for participants.

The patient’s own self-management by use of aquatic therapy and resistance exercise was most effective in improving pain, mood, fitness, quality of life and function.  Adherence to a general treatment program was found to be most effective; this involved a patient-physician agreement on the patient’s well-being. By individualizing the program for each patient, they could overcome obstacles to exercise, address pain issues, and manage stress.  Acupuncture has also been studied, but the benefits are still inconclusive. The author suggests study needs to be done in a more diversified group of fibromyalgia patients.


For further information: “Fibromyalgia Treatment Update,” D. Rooks, PhD, Current Opinion in Rheumatology, volume 19, issue 2, p.111-117, 2007.