Learning Objective #1: Descirbe the evidence supporting health promotion interventions in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

Learning Objective #2: Describe strategies to promote the health and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia syndrome.

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, multiple tender points and fatigue. It is thought to affect 3 to 6 million Americans and occurs six to eight times more often in women than in men. Although several studies have described the effects of interventions to improve symptoms in persons with FMS, few programs have been designed to assist women with this condition to promote their health. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Lifestyle Counts intervention, an adaptation of the successful Wellness Program for Women with MS. The model guiding this intervention assumes that development of knowledge and skills to reduce barriers and enhance resources and self-efficacy will result in greater participation in health promoting behaviors and better quality of life. To date, 144 women with FMS have participated in the randomized clinical trial of the intervention and the 8 months of data collection. Participants range in age from 24 to 74 (mean 53.3) and have been diagnosed for a mean of 9.4 years. The majority are white/non Hispanic (83%%) and married (64%). Most (96%) had completed high school and only 25 % were currently employed full-time. Data analysis is ongoing. Among those who have completed to date, women in the intervention group (n=76) had significantly (p<.05) greater improvements in health promoting behaviors than women in the attention control group (n=68). Women in both groups experienced significant (p<.05) improvement over time in self-efficacy for health behaviors, fibromyalgia impact scores, depressive symptoms, and scores on the mental health, pain, and role emotional scales of the SF-36. Preliminary findings support the effectiveness of the Lifestyle Counts intervention. This project was supported by R01HD035047, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health