Modification and Test of Self-help Program for Patients having Fibromyalgia-Pilot Study-

섬유조직염환자용 자조관리과정의 수정 및 검증 -예비조사-

The purposes of this study are 1) to modify a self-help program for patients having fibromyalgia, 2) to revise instruments to measure the self-efficacy and impact of fibromyalgia; and 3) to test the effects of the program in terms of self-efficacy, physical activities, and clinical symptoms. The subjects of this study were persons diagnosed as fibromyalgia at a university hospital. For the first two purposes, six patients were selected. Twenty three subjects for the third purpose were selected and assigned to experimental and control group on the base of their residence. Thirteen were assigned to the experimental group, while 10 to the control group. Instruments selected for revision were self-efficacy scale and fibromyalgia impact profile. On the basis of the text developed by Arthritis Foundation, a program for patients with fibromyalgia was tentatively developed. Instruments for measurement of self-efficacy and impact of fibromyalgia were revised to show high reliabilities. Results obtained by utilization of the program were as follows : 1) There were no increase of self-efficacy and physical activities. 2) There were no improvement of the number of tender points and pain. 3) There were improvement of depression, fatigue and sleep impairment. These findings indicate the needs for modification of the program with emphasis of exercise for relaxation of tender points, increases of enactive action and vicarious learning.