The long-term Effects after Self-help Program for Fibromyalgia

섬유조직염환자를 위한 자조관리과정 지속효과에 관한 연구

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out long-term effects of the self-help program including the stretching exercise of patient with fibromyalgia, Our findings will have the way for the nursing intervention for reduction of fibromyalgia symptoms and physical disability. Method: The research design was pre-post test design of an experimental group. 41 subjects with fibromyalgia were subjected to our study. Participants of this program were participated with a group of 8 to 12 members with duration of two and half hours for two years(March. 1998 to January. 2000). The Self-efficacy was measured by the Self-efficacy scale. Symptom was converted to scores based on visual analog scale. Physical disability was measured with questionnaires prepared by researchers of this study. Data were collected by the structured interview using questionnaires after self-help program and after 8 months. Data were analyzed by frequency, $x^2$-test and repeated t-test using SPSS 11.0 for windows. Result: Daily activities were not changed but self-described symptom was changed after 8 months. After 8 months, exercise performance along with taking drugs showed significantly lowering trend with respect to self-help program. Relieved symptom of patient with fibromyalgia has continued until 8months after 6weeks program of self-help. Also Promoted self-efficacy of patient with fibromyalgia continued after 8months. After 8 months, in self-described physical disability has showed significantly worse off than after self-help program. Conclusion: In this study, the long-term effects after self-help program for fibromyalgia have showed all symptoms and self-efficacy except exercise performance and physical disability. Therefore, it will be desirable that application of the follow up program with peer group meeting.