An online self-management intervention for patients with fibromyalgia -- a randomised controlled trial

Fibromyalgia has a high clinical burden, as reflected by considerable pain,
decreased strength and mobility, physical disability, and an often decreased
health-related quality of life (HR-QoL). Self-management factors related to
physical and psychosocial adjustment, such as patients* perceptions about their
disease and coping, play an important role in HR-QoL and functional ability in
patients with chronic diseases, such as fibromyalgia. Improving capacities of
patients in managing a chronic condition is increasingly recognized as
important in the treatment of (somatic) conditions and becomes more common in
clinical practice and research. In this study, the effect of an online
self-management intervention focusing on coping skills related to chronic pain
in comparison to a waitlist control condition is studied.

To study the effectiveness of the online self-management intervention in
patients with fibromyalgia.

An RCT will be performed, in which 35 participants will be randomized to the
online self-management intervention and 35 participants to a waitlist control
group. Baseline, post-intervention, 6-week, and three-month follow-up
questionnaires will be used to measure primary and secondary outcomes.

The intervention is based on cognitive-behavioral methods. It starts off with a
face-to-face introduction consultation in which personal goals for the
intervention are set. Subsequently, the tailored self-management intervention
will be offered via an online program. The intervention consists of six modules
containing pain education, practical assignments, relaxation training, and
registrations. The first and last modules are an introductory and closure
module; in between are four modules aimed at learning how to cope with the
consequences of a chronic condition in daily life. The modules focus on (1)
activity, (2) mood, (3) thoughts, and (4) the social environment. At least once
a week, participants receive feedback on the assignments and motivational
support from a psychologist, by means of text messages in a secured mail box in
the online program. After finishing the online program, patients will be
approached by their treating psychologist for two booster sessions via
telephone. In these booster sessions it will be evaluated how the patient
further attained his/her pre-set goals for the intervention. Strategies to
strenghten the achieved results will be discussed. The booster sessions will
take place 1 month and 2,5 months after finishing the online program.

In the waitlist control condition, patients will receive the intervention after
the intervention ends in the intervention group (after 6 months). In the
intervention group patients will be offered an internet-based self-management
intervention, which potentially improves their pain coping and other
psychological and physical outcomes. No risk is involved with participation in
this study. The only burden for participants is investment of time.