Affiliations: [a] Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy | [b] Department of Anatomical and Histological Sciences, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy | [c] Department of Neurorehabilitation, MultiMedica IRCCS, Limbiate – Monza-Brianza, Italy | [d] Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Sant’Andrea University Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy | [e] Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Francesco Agostini, Department of Anatomical and Histological Sciences, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, Rome, 00185, Italy. Tel.: +39 3404751090; E-mail: francescoagostini.ff@gmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread muscular or musculoskeletal pain of at least 3 months’ duration, occurring above and below the waist, on both sides of the body. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation program based on motor imagery versus a conventional exercise program in FM in terms of pain, functional and psychological outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-nine female subjects were randomly assigned to a group receiving motor imagery-based rehabilitation (MIG) or to a control group (CG) performing conventional rehabilitation. Outcome assessments were performed before (T0) and after 10 sessions of treatment (T1) and at a 12-week follow-up (T2). Pain, function and psychological measurements were conducted by means of different questionnaires. RESULTS: Both treatments improved all outcomes at post-treatment (T1) and follow-up (T2). The MIG showed a significant improvement in anxiety disorder associated with FM with respect to the CG, as well as improvements in coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation treatment based on motor imagery showed a stronger effect on anxiety and coping behavior than traditional physiotherapy in patients with FM. Integrated psychological support would be desirable in this setting. Further research is needed to explore the aspects investigated in more depth.
Keywords: Motor imagery-based exercise, fibromyalgia, rehabilitation, pain
