Non-pharmacological Therapies in Fibromyalgia: New Horizons for Physicians, New Hopes for Patients

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterised by reduced quality of life and severe limitations in daily living activities. Considering the wide spectrum of symptoms and the ineffectiveness of a single pharmacological approach, the latest clinical guidelines recommend non-pharmacological therapies as both an alternative and a better-tolerated approach. Several studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies in the management of FM.

Aims: Through a literature review, this paper aims to describe the different complementary therapies and investigate their potential sustainability and effectiveness on FM symptoms in the short and/or long term.

Methods: We searched the PubMed and Google Scholar databases using broad search terms up to June 2022, to identify all types of study designs restricted to human subjects on non-pharmacological therapies in FM.

Results: Recent evidence demonstrated that physical activity is the mainstay of therapeutic management, highlighting the relevance of walking as the best method of exercise in FM patients. Nevertheless, adherence to physical activity remains fraught with obstacles that could be overcome with a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach involving a wide range of passive therapies. The effectiveness of passive non-pharmacological therapies remains however unproven in the long term. They can be therefore suggested as 'adjunct' or 'bridge' therapy to improve adherence to physical activity.

Conclusion: To conclude, FM management requires a multimodal and symptom-based approach, guided by the predominant bothersome symptom on the one hand, and the preferences of each patient on the other hand.