Ogy (ACR) classification criteria [23] for at least 6 months, d) reported FMS

April 20, 2018

Ogy (ACR) classification criteria [23] for at least 6 months, d) reported FMS pain of at least moderate intensity ( 4/10) in the seven days prior to enrolment, the FMS pain being the chief complaint if the patient suffered from another chronic pain syndrome, e) were motivated to attend all group sessions and to integrate the proposed self-management strategies, and f) agreed to not introduce new pain medications or other new pain treatment modalities during the 11 weeks of the intervention. Exclusion criteria were the following: a) pregnant or lactating women, b) presence of an active cancer, uncontrolled metabolic disease and other major physical or psychiatric disorder that could compromise patient participation in the study, and d) outstanding litigation regarding patient’s claim for disability payments. Recruitment was conducted through announcements in local newspapers in both study sites between September 2009 and October 2009. Interested subjects were invited to call the research coordinator who buy SCH 530348 explained the study, reviewed some of the eligibility criteria, and fixed a first appointment with the potential participants one month prior to the beginning of the intervention. At the time of the first appointment, a pain physician established the FMS diagnosis using the ACR criteria [23], and a physical/psychological evaluation was carried out to ensure the subjects met all the eligibility criteria including proper Trichostatin A site motivation to partake in the intervention. Written informed consents were obtained from all participants who were then randomly assigned to the Intervention (INT) Group (PASSAGE Program) or the Waitlist (WL) Group. Randomization was stratified by study site and gender, and was done by an independent third party using the Random Allocation Software–Version 1.0.0 (Isfahan, Iran).Description of the Group ConditionsIntervention (INT) group. As mentioned earlier, the PASSAGE Program is a structured multicomponent interdisciplinary group intervention aimed at reducing FMS symptoms and maintaining optimal function through the use of self-management strategies and patient education. The intervention consists of 9 group sessions with 8 participants lasting 2.5 hours each. As shown in Table 1, each session involved 3 major components–1) psycho-educational tools, 2) CBT-related techniques, and 3) patient-tailored exercise activities. Self-management of the main symptoms of FMS including pain, fatigue, poor sleep quality, and mood fluctuations were targeted during the course of the sessions as well as issues relating to stress management. An additional session was devoted to the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of FMS. The first 8 sessions were held over a period of 11 weeks while the 9th final session was carried out 6 months later to review progress and gain maintenance. The first two sessions were partly devoted to the establishment of a contract with the patient where she/he: 1) fixed three personal outcome goals to be met by the end of the intervention program, 2) determined the minimally acceptable changes to be expected, and 3) agreed to participate in all group sessions and to devote time during the week to the tasks prescribed at the end of each session–i.e., about 45 minutes/day, 6 times/week. Patients were informed that they will be excluded from the program if they missed 2 sessions. The sessions were always conducted in a well-equipped exercise room with mattresses, pillows, exercise balls, mirrors, so.Ogy (ACR) classification criteria [23] for at least 6 months, d) reported FMS pain of at least moderate intensity ( 4/10) in the seven days prior to enrolment, the FMS pain being the chief complaint if the patient suffered from another chronic pain syndrome, e) were motivated to attend all group sessions and to integrate the proposed self-management strategies, and f) agreed to not introduce new pain medications or other new pain treatment modalities during the 11 weeks of the intervention. Exclusion criteria were the following: a) pregnant or lactating women, b) presence of an active cancer, uncontrolled metabolic disease and other major physical or psychiatric disorder that could compromise patient participation in the study, and d) outstanding litigation regarding patient’s claim for disability payments. Recruitment was conducted through announcements in local newspapers in both study sites between September 2009 and October 2009. Interested subjects were invited to call the research coordinator who explained the study, reviewed some of the eligibility criteria, and fixed a first appointment with the potential participants one month prior to the beginning of the intervention. At the time of the first appointment, a pain physician established the FMS diagnosis using the ACR criteria [23], and a physical/psychological evaluation was carried out to ensure the subjects met all the eligibility criteria including proper motivation to partake in the intervention. Written informed consents were obtained from all participants who were then randomly assigned to the Intervention (INT) Group (PASSAGE Program) or the Waitlist (WL) Group. Randomization was stratified by study site and gender, and was done by an independent third party using the Random Allocation Software–Version 1.0.0 (Isfahan, Iran).Description of the Group ConditionsIntervention (INT) group. As mentioned earlier, the PASSAGE Program is a structured multicomponent interdisciplinary group intervention aimed at reducing FMS symptoms and maintaining optimal function through the use of self-management strategies and patient education. The intervention consists of 9 group sessions with 8 participants lasting 2.5 hours each. As shown in Table 1, each session involved 3 major components–1) psycho-educational tools, 2) CBT-related techniques, and 3) patient-tailored exercise activities. Self-management of the main symptoms of FMS including pain, fatigue, poor sleep quality, and mood fluctuations were targeted during the course of the sessions as well as issues relating to stress management. An additional session was devoted to the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of FMS. The first 8 sessions were held over a period of 11 weeks while the 9th final session was carried out 6 months later to review progress and gain maintenance. The first two sessions were partly devoted to the establishment of a contract with the patient where she/he: 1) fixed three personal outcome goals to be met by the end of the intervention program, 2) determined the minimally acceptable changes to be expected, and 3) agreed to participate in all group sessions and to devote time during the week to the tasks prescribed at the end of each session–i.e., about 45 minutes/day, 6 times/week. Patients were informed that they will be excluded from the program if they missed 2 sessions. The sessions were always conducted in a well-equipped exercise room with mattresses, pillows, exercise balls, mirrors, so.