Effect of One Week Self-management Program in Patients With Fibromyalgia

This study will determine if one week inpatient SMP can reduce FM symptoms and increase patients self-efficacy, health status, quality of life and being active health consumers.

The one-week SMP is designed to help people manage their rheumatic disease and challenges in daily life. The program has the same core concepts as outpatient programmes and comprises information, discussions on how to cope with the disease and daily life, cognitive management skills, exercise, engagement in self-care and interactions with healthcare professionals. During the program, the inpatient education unit takes up to 16 patients and 5 relatives per week within one diagnostic group. Each educational session lasts for 1.5-2.5 hours and the physical activity sessions for 0.5-1 hour. In the evening group sessions, the patients are divided into small groups of approximately five participants. They talk together for one hour under leadership of one health professional who is educated in coaching. The focus is on coping with the disease and daily life.

For the intervention group there will be a one year follow up study.

Inclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia outlined by the American College of Rheumatology for one year or more
• Between 20 and 70 years old
• Native Norwegian speaking
• Own wishes about participating the self-management program

Exclusion criteria

• Participated in the hospitals' SMP before
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Problems with sight and hearing that not can be compensated
• Mental disorders except light or treated depressions