Qigong For Treatment Of Fibromyalgia

Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fibromyalgia Pain

Treatments: Other: CFQ Qigong

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00938834

CDHA-RS/2010-094

Details and patient eligibility

About

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and hyperalgesia with a prevalence of 2-4% in the general population; it is often accompanied by fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression and other conditions. It is a difficult condition to treat, and only recently have drugs been approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of this condition (Lyrica was approved in 2007, Duloxetine in 2008). There are now several clinical trials of drugs commonly used to treat neuropathic pain (amitriptyline, gabapentin, pregabalin, acetaminophen/tramadol, duloxetine, minserin) reporting some degree of efficacy in treating fibromyalgia. This efficacy makes it practical to consider fibromyalgia along with other neuropathic pain conditions. However, such drug trials report only partial efficacy in relieving pain and/or other symptoms. Current treatment recommendations indicate the need for a multimodal approach; this includes medical management using appropriate drug therapies, psychological therapies, exercise and complementary approaches. The current proposal is for a randomized controlled trial to compare qigong (a complementary modality) to a wait list control to determine if qigong is a useful complementary therapy for fibromyalgia.

The investigators recently completed a pilot trial in which they examined a specific form of qigong (CFQ Qigong, available locally in Halifax), and observed beneficial effects against pain, fibromyalgia impact, and on quality of life scores; importantly, these benefits were all sustained for 6 months to the end of the trial. On the basis of these preliminary observations, the investigators now propose a controlled trial in which CFQ Qigong is compared to a wait list control group. The latter group will be offered qigong training at the end of the trial, so could really be characterized as a delayed treatment group. The study will consist of a 3-day training period, weekly review of technique sessions for 8 weeks, daily practice for 8 weeks, with assessments at baseline, at 8 weeks following the training and practice, and follow-up assessments at 4 and 6 months. Study outcomes will include: (a) pain (numeric rating scale - pain intensity), (b) impact (fibromyalgia impact questionnaire), (c) quality of life measures (SF-36), (d) patient assessments (patient global impression of change and satisfaction scales), (e) sleep measures (Pittsburgh sleep quality index, actigraphy, sleep diary). In addition to these assessments, the investigators will also conduct qualitative assessments in which participants provide a more open-ended assessment of their health status at these same intervals. The main hypothesis being examined is that CFQ Qigong will produce benefits compared to the wait list group.

Enrollment: 100 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age greater than or equal to 18 years
• A diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to American College of Rheumatology criteria
• Moderate to severe pain, as defined by an average 7-day pain score of greater than 4.0 on an 11-point numerical rating scale for pain intensity
• Pain medications must have been stable for at least 14 days.
• Ability to follow the protocol (with reference to cognitive and situational conditions, (e.g. stable housing, ability to attend follow-up visits, motivation and commitment to self practice of CFQ Qigong for 45-60 minutes per day).
• Willing and able to give written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of clinically significant medical disorder on history or physical exam that would compromise the participants' safety in the trial as judged by the study physician
• Already practicing CFQ Qigong on a regular basis
• Unable to commit to 45-60 minutes of CFQ Qigong practice per day

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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100 participants in 1 patient group

CFQ Qigong training group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Qigong training con- sisted of an initial workshop conducted over three con- secutive half-days by a qualified CFQ instructor. Participants received training in level 1 CFQ; this con- sisted of instruction in seven key movements known as "the hexagram" and ancillary exercises. Hexagram move- ments consist of choreographed movements that emphasize softness, relaxation, downward releases and full body distribution of "qi". Once initial training was complete, participants were asked to practice CFQ at home for 45 to 60 minutes per day for eight weeks; time could be broken up into shorter sessions during the day. Participants returned for a 60 minute weekly review/group practice sessions for these eight weeks.

Treatment:

Other: CFQ Qigong