All these manifestations result in an important impact of the disorder in functioning, participation and well-being and classically, the economic burden of FM is considerable as it is associated with high utilization of health care resources and loss of work days.
Multidisciplinary treatment protocols have suggested that combined therapy is more effective than single interventions in the treatment of FM, but concerning effectiveness on participation and health care utilization, no information is available. A multidisciplinary treatment programme including aftercare meetings was developed, aiming to enhance participation, limit medical consumption and improve health related quality of life. A randomised controlled trial was conducted to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the multidisciplinary treatment compared to aerobic exercise and usual care.
Patients with recently diagnosed FM were included in a study on the natural course of FM and, after baseline assessment, randomly assigned to multidisciplinary treatment (MD n=108), aerobic exercise (AE n= 47) or usual care (UC n=48). The MD included a 12-week course of physical therapy, psychotherapy, sociotherapy and creative arts therapy (3 part-time days per week), followed by 5 aftercare meetings in 9 months. AE was given 2 times per week in a 12-week course. UC varied but included at least education and counselling.
Questionnaires on health related quality of life, on medical consumption and participation as well as secondary outcome measures were collected at baseline and during 2 years follow-up at regular time intervals. On this moment, data analyses is ongoing. Results are expected in 2009 and 2010.

Duur van het onderzoek: 2007-2011

Projectleider: Robert landewé
Onderzoeker: Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings
Promotor: Robert Landewé
Co-promotor: Annelies Boonen, Mariëlle Kroese
Onderzoeksassistent: Monique Bessems-Beks

Opdrachtgever: Maastricht University Medical Centre

Contactgegevens:
Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings, onderzoeker
Telefoonnummer: 043-3874426
E-mail: yvonne.eijk.hustings@mumc.nl

Publicaties:
van Eijk - Hustings Y, Kroese M, Bessems - Beks M, Boonen A, Landewé R. Multidisciplinary treatment with aftercare meetings compared to aerobic exercise and usual care in fibromyalgia.  First results of a randomised controlled trial. Annals of the Rheumatic diseases 2008;67(supp 11):262.

Nurses' Roles in Rheumatology Care
A new set of recommendations aims to standardize and optimize nursing care for patients with arthritis, says Ms. Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings. London, Eular Conference 25-28 mei 2011. Interview with Yvonne van Eijk-Hustings at the Eular-conference .

Regards,

Heidi

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Heidi Splete

Reporter

International Medical News Group/Elsevier