Kaisa Mannerkorpi ^A1 and Maudh Arndorw ^A2
A1 Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Sahlgrenska Academy Göteborg University
^A2 Primary Health Care Göteborg Sweden

DOI: 10.1080/16501970410031912

Objective: To evaluate the effects of body awareness therapy combined with qigong for patients with fibromyalgia. Design: A controlled randomized pilot study. Subjects: Thirty-six female patients with fibromyalgia were randomized to either qigong plus body awareness therapy (n = 19) or a control group (n = 17). Methods: The programme was conducted once a week over a period of 3 months. The outcome measures were an observational method called the Body Awareness Rating Scale, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and 2 tests of physical function. An interview was conducted with the patients in the treatment group. Results: Seven patients in each group (39%) were lost to the post-test examination. The inter-group analysis revealed a significant improvement in movement harmony for the treatment group (p = 0. 03), while no differences were found in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire or the functional tests. The intra-group analysis revealed an improvement in movement harmony for the treatment group (p = 0. 01), while the total score of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire deteriorated (p = 0. 04) in the control group. The interviews indicated that several patients had experienced exacerbation of symptoms while standing still, and/or difficulty in concentrating on the movements. Conclusions: Although improvement in movement harmony occurred in the patients completing the treatment programme, no improvement was found for fibromyalgia symptoms or physical function.