Randomized Trial of a Group Music and Imagery Method (GrpMI) for Women with Fibromyalgia

Esperanza Torres, Inge Nygaard Pedersen, José Ignacio Pérez-Fernandéz

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

24 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abstract

Background

Fibromyalgia (FM) affects about 2–4% of the world population. Patients, mostly women, experience chronic widespread pain, fatigue, stiffness, sleep disturbances, and psychological disorders, especially depression and anxiety.


Objective

The aim of this study was to examine preliminary efficacy of a Group Music and Imagery (GrpMI) intervention, which included relaxation, music listening, and spontaneous imagery, to improve subjective psychological well-being, functional capacity and health, pain perception, anxiety, and depression in women with FM.


Methods

Fifty-six women aged 35 to 65 years (M = 51.3) diagnosed with FM were randomly assigned to either GrpMI treatment (n = 33) or control (n = 26) condition. Experimental group participants received 12 weekly GrpMI sessions, and control group participants who did not receive any additional service completed measures at the same time points as the experimental group.


Results

Intra-group analyses showed that GrpMI participants had a significant increase in psychological well-being and significant decrease in the impact of FM on functional capacity and health, pain perception, anxiety, and depression post-treatment, with sustained benefit at three-month follow-up for all variables except psychological well-being. Control group participants showed decreases in trait anxiety and depression at post-treatment, with no significant benefit at three-month follow-up. Inter-group analyses showed that compared with control participants, GRpMI participants had significantly higher scores for psychological well-being and lower-state anxiety post-treatment; however, no differences were observed between groups at three-month follow-up.


Conclusions

Findings offer preliminary evidence for the benefit of GrpMI to improve well-being and reduce anxiety in women with FM. Findings also suggest that GrpMI may help diminish pain intensity, state depression, and the impact of FM on functional capacity and health, but further studies are needed to establish efficacy.
Translated title of the contributionEffekt af musik og indre billeder i gruppe for kvinder der lider af fibromyalgi. Et randomiseret kontrolleret studie.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Music Therapy
Volume55
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)186-220
Number of pages35
ISSN0022-2917
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2018

Keywords

  • Music Therapy Fibromyalgia, Group Imagery and Music
  • anxiety
  • Group Music and Imagery
  • pain
  • functional capacity
  • fibromyalgia
  • health
  • depression
  • psychological well-being

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Randomized Trial of a Group Music and Imagery Method (GrpMI) for Women with Fibromyalgia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this