The Effectiveness of Operant Learning Versus Energy Conservation Activity Pacing Treatments in Fibromyalgia

Activity pacing (AP) is a commonly used treatment for people with chronic pain. Many people with pain try to continue their daily activities at the same level as they were able to manage before they had pain. This way of coping causes increases in their pain; they become discouraged and give up on their activities. AP treatments involve helping them regulate their activity level so that they can achieve important life goals. Although AP is widely used, its effectiveness is still unproven. There are two key approaches: The operant learning (OL) approach uses quotas related to time or goals the person sets. The energy conservation (EC) approach focuses on balancing patient energy expenditure. Both of these treatments have often been used with people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), a common pain condition. We will examine the effects of these treatments on pain, fatigue, quality of life, physical functioning and mental well-being. We will also investigate whether other factors influence treatment effectiveness (e.g., a person\'s readiness to change, pain intensity level). 120 FMS patients will be randomly assigned to receive OL, EC, Delayed-OL or Delayed-EC. Data will be collected at baseline, at the end of treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 month follow-ups. FMS patients will be recruited consecutively from Rheumatologists at St. Joseph\'s Health Care London. OL and EC treatment manuals will be developed by experts in the field and both interventions will be given by two occupational therapists over a 3 month period as \"stand-alone\" interventions (10 sessions of 120 min). All sessions will be recorded in order to assess intervention fidelity. This study will be the first to base AP interventions on a clearly delineated theoretical framework. It will clarify whether AP strategies benefit individuals with FMS and whether either of these two approaches is more effective. Our results will help to direct clinical resources and funding toward the most beneficial interventions.