Table LFibromyalgia: summary of effects of nonpharmacological interventions compared with usual care, placebo, sham, attention control, or waitlist

Intervention

Function

Short-Term

Effect Size

Function

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Function

Long-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Short-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Intermediate-Term

Effect Size

Pain

Long-Term

Effect Size

Exercise

small

+

small

++

none

+

small

++

small

++

none

++

Psychological Therapies:

none

+

moderate

+

insufficient evidence

small

+

none

+

insufficient evidence
Physical Modalities: Magnetic Padsinsufficient evidence

none

+

no evidenceinsufficient evidence

none

+

no evidence
Manual Therapies: Massage (Myofascial Release)no evidence

small

+

none

+

insufficient evidenceinsufficient evidence

small

+

Mindfulness Practices: , MAT

none

++

small

+

no evidence

none

++

small

+

no evidence
Mind-Body Practices: Qigong, Tai Chi

small

+

no evidenceno evidence

moderate

+

no evidenceno evidence
Acupuncture

small

++

small

++

no evidence

none

+

none

+

no evidence
Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation

small

+

small

+

small

+

none

+

small

+

none

+

Short-Term: 1 to <6 months; Intermediate-Term: ≥6 to <12 months; Long-Term: ≥12 months

Effect Size: none, small, moderate, or large improvement

Strength of Evidence: + = low, ++ = moderate, +++ = high

= cognitive-behavioral therapy; MAT = meditation awareness training; = mindfulness-based stress reduction; none = no effect/no statistically significant effect; = strength of evidence

a

and effect size based on totality of evidence from prior report and new trials

b

Effect size downgraded one level from prior report

c

Effect size upgraded one level from prior report

d

New trial(s) did not change effect size or

e

New trial reporting intermediate-term effects

From: Evidence Summary

Cover of Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update
Noninvasive Nonpharmacological Treatment for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review Update [Internet].
Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 227.
Skelly AC, Chou R, Dettori JR, et al.

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