Effect of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Nocturnal Autonomic Activity in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, insomnia and autonomic alterations. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is regarded as a promising treatment in fibromyalgia, but its impact on autonomic function remains uncertain. In this research, we studied the effect of CBT on autonomic functions in fibromyalgia. Methods: Twenty-five participants underwent overnight polysomnographic recordings before and after CBT programs focused on pain (CBT-P) or a hybrid modality focused on pain and insomnia (CBT-C). Sleep quality, daily pain, depression and anxiety were assessed by self-reported questionnaires. We analyzed heart rate variability (HRV) using high-frequency power (HF) as a marker for parasympathetic activity, and low-frequency power (LF) and the LF/HF ratio as relative sympathetic markers during wakefulness and at each sleep stage. Results: After treatment, 14 patients (/25, 58.0%) reported improvement in their sleep: 6 in the CBT-P condition (/12, 50%), and 8 in the CBT-C condition (/13, 61.5%). We found that, regardless of the type of CBT, patients who reported improvement in sleep quality (n = 14, 58%) had an increase in HF during stages N2 (p < 0.05) and N3 (p < 0.05). These changes were related to improvement in sleep quality (N2, r = −0.43, p = 0.033) but not to pain, depression or anxiety. Conclusions: This study showed an improvement in parasympathetic cardiac control during non-rapid-eye-movement sleep following CBT in fibromyalgia participants who reported better sleep after this therapy. CBT may have a cardio-protective effect and HRV could be used as a sleep monitoring tool in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia as a Heterogeneous Condition: Subgroups of Patients Based on Physical Symptoms and Cognitive-Affective Variables Related to Pain.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic syndrome characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations, and knowing this variability can help to develop tailored treatments. To understand better the heterogeneity of FM the present cross-sectional study analyzed the role of several physical symptoms (pain, fatigue and poor sleep quality) and cognitive-affective variables related to pain (pain catastrophizing, pain vigilance, self-efficacy in pain management, and pain acceptance) in the configuration of clinical profiles. A sample of 161 women with FM fulfilled an interview and several self-report measures to explore physical symptoms, cognitive-affective variables, disability and psychopathology. To establish FM groups a hierarchical cluster analysis was performed. The findings revealed three clusters that differed in the grouping variables, Wilks' λ = .17, F(14, 304) = 31.50, p < .001, ηp2 = .59. Group 1 (n = 72) was characterized by high physical and psychological affectation, Group 2 (n = 19) by low physical affectation and high pain self-efficacy, and Group 3 (n = 70) by moderate physical affectation and low pain catastrophizing. The external validation of the clusters was confirmed, Wilks' λ = .72, F(4, 314) = 14.09, p < .001, ηp2 = .15, showing Group 1 the highest levels of FM impact and psychopathological distress. Considering the distinctive clinical characteristics of each subgroup therapeutic strategies addressed to the specific needs of each group were suggested. Assessing FM profiles may be key for a better understanding and approach of this syndrome.

Psychopathology as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Physical Symptoms and Impairment in Fibromyalgia Patients.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome that is accompanied by notable psychological distress. However, little research has been done on how the psychopathological profile of FM patients may influence their functional status. METHOD: Using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised the study examined the psychopathological dimensions of 181 women with FM, and the role of psychopathology as a moderator of the relationship between physical symptoms and impairment of functioning. RESULTS: FM patients exhibited T-scores above the cutoff point ≥60) in all dimensions, and 76.2% were identified as "clinical cases". Somatization was a significant predictor of pain intensity, somatization and obsession-compulsion contributed significantly to predicting poor sleep quality, while somatization, depression and anxiety were significant predictors of impairment. Psychopathology was a statistically significant moderator that increased the impact of poor sleep quality on impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The dysfunctional psychological style is key in the impairment associated with FM. The evaluation of psychopathological profiles can allow the early identification of the patients who are most vulnerable to impaired functioning due to the presence of possible psychopathology, as well facilitating therapeutic adaptations.

Tratamiento multidisciplinar para la fibromialgia y el síndrome de fatiga crónica: una revisión sistemática / Multidisciplinary treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review

Los objetivos de esta revisión sistemática fueron examinar la eficacia del tratamiento multidisciplinar (TM) aplicado a pacientes con fibromialgia y síndrome de fatiga crónica (SFC), junto con la exploración de predictores, mediadores y moderadores de resultados. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica exhaustiva en las bases de datos Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus y Cochrane Library en el período 1990- 2018. En total, 31 artículos de fibromialgia y seis de SFC fueron identificados. Los resultados reflejaron que en fibromialgia el TM fue más eficaz que la lista de espera (LDE) y el tratamiento médico habitual, produciendo las mejoras más consistentes en funcionalidad, dolor, calidad de vida y aptitud física. En el SFC los beneficios fueron menores que en fibromialgia, y el TM fue solo más eficaz que la LDE y disminuyó principalmente la discapacidad. Sin embargo, las evidencias no fueron suficientes para constatar la superioridad del TM frente a otros tratamientos activos, ni para consolidar el valor pronóstico de los predictores, mediadores y moderadores de resultados informados (AU)

bstract The aims of this systematic review were to analyze and to compare the efficacy of the multidisciplinary treatment (MT) applied to patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Also, predictors, mediators and moderators of results were examined. An exhaustive literature search was carried out in the databases Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus and Cochrane Library in the period 1990-2018. In total, 31 articles on fibromyalgia and six on CFS were identified. The results showed that in fibromyalgia, MT was more effective than waiting list controls (WLC) and the usual treatment, producing the most consistent improvements in functionality, pain, quality of life and physical fitness. As to CFS, there were fewer benefits than in fibromyalgia, and the MT was only more effective than the WLC, and it mainly decreased the disability. However, the evidence was not enough to confirm the superiority of MT over other active treatments, nor to consolidate the prognostic value of the predictors, mediators and moderators of the reported results (AU)

Psychopathology as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Physical Symptoms and Impairment in Fibromyalgia Patients / Psicopatología Como Moderador de la Relación Entre Síntomas Físicos y Discapacidad en Pacientes con Fibromialgia

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome that is accompanied by notable psychological distress. However, little research has been done on how the psychopathological profi le of FM patients may infl uence their functional status. Method: Using the Symptom Checklist90-Revised the study examined the psychopathological dimensions of 181 women with FM, and the role of psychopathology as a moderator of the relationship between physical symptoms and impairment of functioning. Results: FM patients exhibited T-scores above the cutoff point (≥ 60) in all dimensions, and 76.2% were identifi ed as “clinical cases”. Somatization was a signifi cant predictor of pain intensity, somatization and obsessioncompulsion contributed signifi cantly to predicting poor sleep quality, while somatization, depression and anxiety were signifi cant predictors of impairment. Psychopathology was a statistically signifi cant moderator that increased the impact of poor sleep quality on impairment. Conclusions: The dysfunctional psychological style is key in the impairment associated with FM. The evaluation of psychopathological profi les can allow the early identifi cation of the patients who are most vulnerable to impaired functioning due to the presence of possible psychopathology, as well facilitating therapeutic adaptations. (AU)

Antecedentes: la fibromialgia (FM) es un síndrome de dolor crónico que se acompaña de importante malestar psicológico. Sin embargo, se ha investigado poco cómo el perfi l psicopatológico de los pacientes con FM puede infl uir en su estado funcional. Método: utilizando el Cuestionario de Síntomas-90- Revisado, se examinaron las dimensiones psicopatológicas de 181 mujeres con FM, y el papel de la psicopatología como moderador de la relación entre síntomas físicos y deterioro del funcionamiento. Resultados: las pacientes presentaron puntuaciones-T superiores al punto de corte (≥ 60) en todas las dimensiones, siendo el 76,2% de ellas identifi cadas como “caso clínico”. La somatización fue un predictor signifi cativo de la intensidad del dolor, la somatización y la obsesión-compulsión contribuyeron signifi cativamente a predecir la mala calidad del sueño, y la somatización, la depresión y la ansiedad fueron predictores signifi cativos del deterioro. La psicopatología fue un moderador estadísticamente signifi cativo que intensifi có el impacto de la mala calidad del sueño sobre el deterioro. Conclusiones: el estilo psicológico disfuncional es clave en el deterioro asociado a la FM. La evaluación del perfil psicopatológico puede permitir la identifi cación precoz de los pacientes más vulnerables al deterioro funcional debido a la presencia de posible psicopatología, así como facilitar las adaptaciones terapéuticas. (AU)

Combined cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: Effects on polysomnographic parameters and perceived sleep quality / Terapia cognitivo-conductual combinada para la fibromialgia: efectos sobre parámetros polisomnográficos y calidad del sueño percibida

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the first-line treatments in the management of fibromyalgia (FM) and it has been applied with considerable success to treat the psychological processes associated with pain and insomnia. We hypothesized that treating sleep and pain jointly with new combined modalities of CBT may offer greater sleep-related benefits to patients. METHOD: Thirty-nine female patients with FM and insomnia were randomly allocated to receive CBT centered on pain (CBT-P) or combined CBT focused on pain and insomnia (CBT-C). Participants were assessed at baseline and post-treatment with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and an ambulatory polysomnography. RESULTS: Participants who received CBT-P showed increases in time in bed and total sleep time and decreases in light sleep, but there was no improvement in perceived sleep quality. Participants who received combined CBT-C showed more meaningful improvements related to refreshing sleep (i.e., higher sleep efficiency and less time awake and longer time in Stage 4 sleep), and these changes were concordant with a significant improvement in self-perceived sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that new CBT-C approaches can improve insomnia-related clinical aspects

ANTECEDENTES/OBJETIVO: La terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC) es un tratamiento de primera línea para abordar la fibromialgia (FM) que se ha aplicado con cierto éxito para el tratamiento del dolor y el insomnio. Se hipotetiza que intervenir sobre el sueño y el dolor con una modalidad combinada de TCC (TCC-C) puede mejorar el sueño de estos pacientes. MÉTODO: Treinta y nueve mujeres con FM e insomnio fueron aleatorizadas para recibir TCC centrada en dolor (TCC-D) o TCC-C. Se evaluaron al inicio y en el post-tratamiento con el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh y polisomnografía ambulatoria. RESULTADOS: Las participantes en la TCC-D mostraron aumentos del tiempo en cama y del tiempo total de sueño, y un descenso del sueño ligero, pero no hubo una mejora en la calidad del sueño percibida. Las participantes en la TCC-C mostraron mejoras significativas relacionadas con el sueño reparador (mayor eficiencia del sueño, menos tiempo de vigilia y más tiempo en fase 4 del sueño), y estos cambios fueron congruentes con una mejora en la calidad del sueño percibida. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio sugiere que nuevos enfoques TCC-C en FM pueden mejorar aspectos clínicos relacionados con el insomnio

Combined cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: Effects on polysomnographic parameters and perceived sleep quality.

Background/Objective: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the first-line treatments in the management of fibromyalgia (FM) and it has been applied with considerable success to treat the psychological processes associated with pain and insomnia. We hypothesized that treating sleep and pain jointly with new combined modalities of CBT may offer greater sleep-related benefits to patients. Method: Thirty-nine female patients with FM and insomnia were randomly allocated to receive CBT centered on pain (CBT-P) or combined CBT focused on pain and insomnia (CBT-C). Participants were assessed at baseline and post-treatment with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and an ambulatory polysomnography.Results: Participants who received CBT-P showed increases in time in bed and total sleep time and decreases in light sleep, but there was no improvement in perceived sleep quality. Participants who received combined CBT-C showed more meaningful improvements related to refreshing sleep (i.e., higher sleep efficiency and less time awake and longer time in Stage 4 sleep), and these changes were concordant with a significant improvement in self-perceived sleep quality. Conclusions: This study suggests that new CBT-C approaches can improve insomnia-related clinical aspects.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: La terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC) es un tratamiento de primera línea para abordar la fibromialgia (FM) que se ha aplicado con cierto éxito para el tratamiento del dolor y el insomnio. Se hipotetiza que intervenir sobre el sueño y el dolor con una modalidad combinada de TCC (TCC-C) puede mejorar el sueño de estos pacientes. Método: Treinta y nueve mujeres con FM e insomnio fueron aleatorizadas para recibir TCC centrada en dolor (TCC-D) o TCC-C. Se evaluaron al inicio y en el post-tratamiento con el Índice de Calidad del Sueño de Pittsburgh y polisomnografía ambulatoria. Resultados: Las participantes en la TCC-D mostraron aumentos del tiempo en cama y del tiempo total de sueño, y un descenso del sueño ligero, pero no hubo una mejora en la calidad del sueño percibida. Las participantes en la TCC-C mostraron mejoras significativas relacionadas con el sueño reparador (mayor eficiencia del sueño, menos tiempo de vigilia y más tiempo en fase 4 del sueño), y estos cambios fueron congruentes con una mejora en la calidad del sueño percibida. Conclusiones: Este estudio sugiere que nuevos enfoques TCC-C en FM pueden mejorar aspectos clínicos relacionados con el insomnio.

Clinical Manifestations of Trauma Exposure in Fibromyalgia: The Role of Anxiety in the Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Fibromyalgia Status.

Little research has investigated how traumatic experiences relate to fibromyalgia (FM). We explored the presence of trauma exposure in a sample of Spanish participants with FM and examined the associations between (a) the number and type of traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and (b) the severity of clinical manifestations in FM, testing for possible mediation models. Participants were 173 FM patients and 53 healthy controls aged 24 to 66 years. Traumatic event type (physical trauma, physical and sexual abuse, psychological trauma), PTSD symptoms, pain intensity, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depression, coping style, and daily functioning were evaluated via self-report. Fibromyalgia patients reported a higher percentage of trauma exposure than controls, more traumatic experiences (mainly emotional and physical trauma), and more PTSD symptoms, Hedges' gs/Cohen's ds = 0.42-0.76. Most FM patients reported having experienced their most distressing traumatic experience and PTSD symptoms before FM diagnosis. PTSD symptom severity was associated with more pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, coping style, and functional impairment, rs = .23-.33, ps = .025-.008. A multiple mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of anxiety in the association between PTSD symptoms and daily functioning. In a subset of FM patients, PTSD symptoms were associated with major clinical symptoms. The results suggest future research should explore the effectiveness of trauma-focused therapy compared to standard cognitive behavioral therapy for these patients.

Sleep quality and clinical and psychological manifestations in women with mild systemic lupus erythematosus activity compared to women with fibromyalgia: A preliminary study.

Objectives: This study analyzed sleep quality in fibromyalgia (FM) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and explored its relationship with other clinical and psychological manifestations.Methods: Twenty women with FM, 19 women with SLE and 22 healthy women participated in the study. Subjective sleep quality, fatigue, pain, depression and anxiety were evaluated with self-reports, and objective sleep measures were obtained with actigraphy. Comparisons were analyzed with Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis's H and Mann-Whitney's U tests. Relationships between measurements were analyzed with Spearman's correlation coefficients.Results: Subjective sleep quality was altered in the FM and SLE groups compared to the control group (15.53 ± 3.27, 8.47 ± 3.20, 4.91 ± 2.79, p < .05, respectively). FM and SLE patients reported higher levels of pain (22.65 ± 9.87, 10.21 ± 9.93, 2.30 ± 3.096, p < .05), fatigue (4.67 ± 0.37, 3.59 ± 3.04, 2.33 ± 0.59, p < .05) and depressive symptoms (9.90 ± 3.78, 4.53 ± 3.04, 4.17 ± 3.95, p < .05) than controls, respectively. Worse subjective quality of sleep was associated with higher pain intensity and more depressive symptoms in FM and SLE. Actigraphy measures showed that FM patients spent more time in bed than subjects in the remaining groups.Conclusion: Sleep deterioration is related to more pain and depressive symptoms in FM and SLE. Addressing sleep disturbances may improve not only sleep quality but also depressive symptoms and pain.

Catastrophizing, Acceptance, and Coping as Mediators Between Pain and Emotional Distress and Disability in Fibromyalgia.

Catastrophizing, acceptance, and coping have an important predictive value in chronic pain; however, it is not known which of these variables has the greatest contribution in fibromyalgia (FM). This study explored the mediating role of catastrophizing, acceptance, and coping in the relationship between pain and emotional distress/disability in a FM sample. Ninety-two FM patients and 51 healthy participants controls were evaluated on pain- and psychological-related variables. Catastrophizing, acceptance, behavioral coping, and emotional coping were significantly correlated with emotional distress and/or disability. Catastrophizing had a significant effect as a mediator on the relationship between pain and depression/anxiety. The current management of FM could improve by including cognitive techniques aimed at modifying the negative appraisal of pain.

Sleep quality, clinical and psychological manifestations in women with systemic lupus erythematosus.

AIM: Sleep problems are a common complaint in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. We analyzed sleep quality with subjective and objective measures in a sample with SLE and its possible relationships with the main manifestations of the disease. METHODS: Twenty-one women with SLE and 20 healthy women participated in the study. All participants were evaluated with actigraphy for a week and they completed self-report instruments of sleep quality, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression and perceived stress. Comparison analyses between the two groups were done using Chi-square and Student's t-tests. The association between sleep quality and the remaining variables was explored using Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: SLE patients had higher fragmentation index in the actigraphic analysis and a perception of poorer sleep quality, more fatigue, anxiety and depression than the control group. Bivariate analyses showed that the perception of more sleep disturbance and daytime dysfunction was associated with a lower health-related quality of life, more fatigue, emotional discomfort and more perceived stress. Also, the fragmentation index in the actigraphy was significantly related to the perception of poorer quality of sleep. CONCLUSION: SLE women had a poorer sleep quality (objective and subjective). These alterations could play a modulatory role in clinical and psychological manifestations of the disease and affect the quality of life in this population. More research is needed to clarify these relations and to determine the potential benefits of interventions directed to improve sleep in the clinical managing of the patients with SLE.

Using Actigraphy and mHealth Systems for an Objective Analysis of Sleep Quality on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Although sleep alterations can be an important factor contributing to the clinical state of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, there are no studies to adequately assess sleep quality in this type of disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work is to analyse the sleep quality of Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE) patients based on more objective information provided by actigraphy and mobile systems. The idea is to carry out a comprehensive study by analysing how environmental conditions and factors can affect sleep quality. METHODS: In traditional methods the information for assessing sleep quality is obtained through questionnaires. In this work, a novel method is proposed by combining these questionnaires that provide valuable but subjective information with actigraphy and a mobile system to collect more objective information about the patient and their environment. The method provides mechanisms to detect how sleep hygiene could be associated directly with the sleep quality of the subjects, in order to provide a custom intervention to SLE patients. Moreover, this alternative provides ease of use, and non-intrusive ICT (Information and Communication Technology) through a wristband and a mHealth system. The mHealth system has been developed for environmental conditions sensing. This consists of a mobile device with built-in sensors providing input data about the bedroom environment during sleep, and a set of services of the Environmental Monitoring System for properly managing the configuration, registration and fusion of those input data. In previous studies, this information has never been taken into account. However, the information could be relevant in the case of SLE patients. The sample is composed of 9 women with SLE and 11 matched controls with a mean age of 35.78 and 32.18, respectively. Demographic and clinical variables between SLE patients and healthy controls are compared using the Fisher exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Relationships between psychological variables, actigraphy measures, and variables related to environmental conditions are analysed with Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The SLE group showed poorer sleep quality, and more pain intensity, fatigue and depression than the healthy controls. Significant differences between SLE women and healthy controls in measures of actigraphy were not found. However, the fusion of the measures of the environmental conditions that were collected by the mobile system and actigraphy, has shown that light, and more specifically temperature have a direct relation with several measures of actigraphy which are related to sleep quality. It should be emphasize this result because usually the sleep problems are assessment through self-reported measures which had not revealed this association. Moreover, there are no previous studies that analyse these aspects in bedroom environments of SLE patients directly from objective measures. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate the need to complement the subjective evaluation of sleep with objective measures. The use of actigraphy in combination with a new mHealth system provides a complete assessment especially relevant to chronic conditions as SLE. Both systems incorporate this objective information directly from objective measures in a non-intrusive way. Moreover, the measures of bedroom environmental variables provide useful and relevant clinical information to assess what is happening daily and not occasionally. This could lead to more customized interventions and adapt the treatment to each individual.

Tratamiento psicológico en pacientes lupus eritematoso sistémico: una revisión sistemática / Psychological treatment in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review

El propósito de esta revisión sistemática fue explorar las intervenciones psicológicas aplicadas a pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) y analizar su utilidad para promover una adaptación favorable en el área psicológica, social y física. Se realizó una exhaustiva búsqueda en las bases de datos Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO y Cochrane Library y se seleccionaron investigaciones empíricas publicadas entre 2005 y 2016. Los estudios reflejaron diferentes opciones terapéuticas: terapia cognitivo-conductual, expresión emocional escrita, entrenamiento en atención plena y una combinación de psicoeducación y psicoterapia en grupo. Los resultados muestran que estas intervenciones pueden repercutir positivamente en la calidad de vida, la ansiedad, la depresión, el estrés, la salud mental, la imagen corporal, el manejo de la enfermedad, las relaciones interpersonales, la fatiga, y el dolor. Sin embargo, los estudios presentan notables limitaciones metodológicas que impiden extraer conclusiones definitivas. Por ello, se considera imprescindible la realización de ensayos controlados aleatorizados de mayor calidad metodológica que permitan cuantificar la eficacia de las intervenciones psicológicas en LES y establecer la superioridad de un tratamiento frente a otro.

The purpose of this systematic review was to explore psychological interventions applied to patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and analyze their usefulness in promoting a favorable adaptation in the psychological, social and physical area. A comprehensive search bases Scopus, Medline, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library data was performed and empirical research published between 2005 and 2016 were selected studies reflected different therapeutic options: cognitive behavioral therapy, emotional writing, and mindfulness training a combination of group psychoeducation and psychotherapy. The results show that these interventions can positively impact the quality of life, anxiety, depression, stress, mental health, body image, disease management, interpersonal relationships, fatigue, and pain. However, studies have significant methodological limitations that prevent definitive conclusions. Therefore, it is considered essential to perform randomized controlled trials of higher methodological quality to quantify the effectiveness of psychological interventions in sle and establish the superiority of one treatment over another.

Beneficios clínicos globales de la terapia cognitivo conductual para el insomnio y de la terapia basada en conciencia plena aplicadas a la fibromialgia: revisión sistemática y metaanálisis / Global clinical benefits of cognitivebehavioral therapy for insomnia and mindfulness-based therapy applied to fibromyalgia: systematic review and meta-analysis

La terapia cognitivo conductual centrada en el insomnio (TCC-I) resulta de utilidad para mejorar el sueño y otras manifestaciones de la fibromialgia (FM). Asimismo, se ha sugerido que la terapia basada en conciencia plena (TBCP) puede contribuir a atenuar el insomnio, pero se desconoce si comporta mayores beneficios clínicos que la TCC-I en la FM. Esta revisión analiza el valor de la TBCP para abordar el sueño, el dolor, la depresión y el deterioro en la FM y su eficacia diferencial respecto a la TCC-I. Se examinaron las bases de datos MEDLINE, PsyARTICLES, SCOPUS y Cochrane Library en el período 2000-2015 y se seleccionaron los ensayos controlados aleatorizados que hubieran aplicado TCC-I o TBCP en pacientes con FM, identificándose 11 estudios. La TCC-I logró cambios superiores a los de la TBCP en el sueño pero inferiores en el dolor, y ambas terapias consiguieron mejorías importantes en depresión y deterioro, aunque de magnitud favorable a la TCC-I. Se sugiere la posibilidad de extender los beneficios clínicos que posibilita la TCC-I en la FM incorporando los principios de conciencia plena

Cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on insomnia (CBT-I) is useful to improve sleep and other manifestations of fibromyalgia (FM). It has also been suggested that mindfulness-based therapy (MBT) may help alleviate insomnia, but it is unknown whether its clinical benefits are higher than CBT-I on FM. This review analyzes the value of the MBT to address sleep, pain, depression and impairment in FM and its differential efficacy regarding CBT-I. The MEDLINE, PsyARTICLES, SCOPUS and Cochrane Library databases for the period 2000-2015 were examined, and randomized controlled trials that implemented CBT-I or MBT in patients with FM were selected, and 11 studies were identified. CBT-I achieved higher changes than MBT in sleep but lower changes in pain, and both therapies achieved significant improvements in depression and impairment, although favorable magnitude to CBT-I. The possibility of extending the clinical benefits that enable CBT-I on the FM incorporating the principles of mindfulness is suggested

Gender Differences in Patients with Fibromyalgia Undergoing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia: Preliminary Data.

UNLABELLED: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome that significantly affects patients' quality of life. Its main symptoms are pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in men and women with FM and compare sleep and clinical features between both genders. METHODS: Fifteen women and 13 men were selected to participate in nine weekly CBT-I sessions that involved completing several self-reported questionnaires at pretreatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. Patients were recruited from the Rheumatology Service and Pain Unit of Hospital and a fibromyalgia association. Group psychotherapy was performed at clinical unit of the Faculty of Psychology. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant clinical and statistical improvements in sleep quality and the main symptoms associated with FM (ie, pain intensity, fatigue, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and pain-related anxiety). Differential treatment responsiveness between sexes was observed. Male group exhibited significant changes at post-treatment in sleep disturbances and pain-related anxiety and catastrophizing. The female group showed post-treatment improvements in sleep latency, general fatigue, and depression, which persisted at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Differential responses to treatment between men and women were observed in some sleep- and pain-related variables. Outcomes show the needed to design different treatments for men and women with FM is discussed.

Sleep disturbances in fibromyalgia syndrome: the role of clinical and polysomnographic variables explaining poor sleep quality in patients.

BACKGROUND: Sleep complaints are one of the most frequent and relevant symptoms that characterize fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). However, objective sleep disturbances have not been consistently described across FMS studies. It is therefore commonly accepted that FMS patients experience sleep misperception, even though no studies have investigated the contribution of polysomnographic parameters to determine subjective sleep quality in FMS. We aimed to compare sleep variables (polysomnographic parameters and subjective sleep quality) between FMS patients and healthy controls. Furthermore, we also aimed to define the predictors of subjective sleep quality in FMS. METHODS: We performed in-home polysomnography to 99 women (53 FMS patients and 36 healthy controls). We also collected subjective ratings of sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, pain, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that groups differed in polysomnographic parameters (p = 0.015)--after accounting for age, body mass index, and antidepressant consumption. Specifically, FMS patients exhibited lower sleep efficiency, greater percentage of stage N1 and wakefulness, and more frequent awakenings than controls (p-values < 0.05). Patients also complained about poorer subjective sleep quality (p <0.001). Percentage of time awake (as obtained by polysomnography), depression levels, and antidepressant consumption predicted self-reported sleep quality in FMS patients (adjusted R2 = 0.33, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One night of in-home polysomnography supports the hypothesis that women with FMS show polysomnographic alterations compared to age-matched controls. In addition, the time spent awake is the best predictor of subjective sleep quality, although greater levels of depression and antidepressant consumption might result in exaggerated complaints. These findings contribute to our understanding of FMS symptoms and its management.

Spanish version of the Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire: psychometric properties in a sample of women with fibromyalgia.

Excessive attention to pain is a common psychological characteristic among people who suffer from chronic pain. The Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire (PVAQ) is an internationally accepted tool to assess this feature, although there is no validated version of this measure for Spanish people with fibromyalgia. Since this pain syndrome mainly affects women, the aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the PVAQ in Spanish women with fibromyalgia. A group of 242 women diagnosed with fibromyalgia aged between 20 and 66 years participated in the study. The goodness of fit of several structures of the PVAQ reported in previous studies was compared via confirmatory factor analysis. A two-factor solution (active vigilance and passive awareness) of the 9-item shortened version (PVAQ-9) was identified as the most appropriate (RMSEA = .08, NNFI = .96, CFI = .97, GFI = .87). It showed good reliability (internal consistency α = .82), convergent validity and divergent validity (p < .01). The optimal cutoff point for identifying fibromyalgia women with worse daily functioning was a score of 24.5, with a sensitivity of .71 and a specificity of .75. The relevance of vigilance to pain for clinical research in fibromyalgia is discussed.

Men and women with fibromyalgia: Relation between attentional function and clinical symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: This study was the first to explore whether individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) have different cognitive alterations (i.e., in alertness, orienting, and executive control) depending on their sex. We also analysed possible gender differences in the relationships between cognitive functioning and some of the main symptoms of FM. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Two clinical groups with FM (n = 58 women and n = 20 men) and two healthy control groups (n = 21 women and n = 27 men) aged between 30 and 60 years old participated in this study. Pain intensity, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, pain catastrophizing, and daily functioning were evaluated with self-report measures. Attentional function was assessed with the ANT-I task (Attentional Network Test-Interactions). RESULTS: Mixed ANOVAs showed impairment in vigilance and executive control in both male and female patients with FM compared with controls. Control men were faster than control women, but FM eliminated sex differences. In addition, attention deficit was associated with worse daily functioning in women but not in men with FM. Emotional distress and sleep disruption seemed to contribute differently to these cognitive alterations in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Therapy strategies aimed at reducing emotional distress and sleep disruption are likely to improve cognitive function by enhancing vigilance. Therapies aimed at reducing emotional distress seem to improve attentional function more in women than in men; those aimed at improving sleep quality are likely to reduce a vigilance/alertness deficit in women and executive problems in men.

Relationships between physical symptoms, emotional distress, and pain appraisal in fibromyalgia: the moderator effect of alexithymia.

Alexithymia is a personality construct that is frequently identified in fibromyalgia (FM). Previous studies have explored the relationship between alexithymia and emotional distress in this disease. Yet, the additional link with factors of pain appraisal is unknown. This study examined the moderating effect of alexithymia in the relationship between emotional distress and pain appraisal in 97 FM women. A control group of 100 healthy women also participated in the study. All participants completed several self-reports about pain experience, sleep quality, impairment, emotional distress, pain appraisal, and alexithymia. FM women showed significantly more difficulty in identifying and describing feelings, but less externally oriented thinking than healthy women. In the clinical group, difficulty in identifying feelings and difficulty in describing feelings significantly correlated with lower sleep quality, higher anxiety and depression, and increased pain catastrophizing and fear of pain. Difficulty in describing feelings significantly correlated with higher pain experience and vigilance to pain. Externally oriented thinking was not correlated with any of the clinical variables. Difficulty in identifying feelings moderated the relationship between anxiety and pain catastrophizing, and difficulty in describing feelings moderated the relationship between anxiety and fear of pain. Implications of the findings for the optimization of care of FM patients are discussed.