Purpose:  The purpose of this pilot study was to test the effects of a 10-week relaxation and guided imagery intervention on pain, functional status, self-efficacy and distress in Hispanic adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia. 

Methods:  Quasi-experimental design, pre-post with repeated measures. Participant sample was 15 Hispanic adults with fibromyalgia. The intervention consisted of 3 audiotaped guided imagery scripts used in a proscribed order for 6 weeks and used in any order for weeks 7 through 10. Pain, functional status, self-efficacy and distress were measured baseline, 6- and 10-weeks post-baseline. 

Measures: Pain was measured using the Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire; functional status, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire; self-efficacy, the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale; distress, the 17-item Mental Health Inventory; and Daily Pain, the Visual Analogue Scale. All instruments were available in English and Spanish.

Findings: The means changed in the expected direction for three of the four dependent variables from baseline to week 10. Changes in self-efficacy for managing pain (10-week, p = 0.02), self-efficacy for managing other symptoms (10-week, p = 0.03), functional status (10-week, p < 0.01), present pain intensity subscale of the SF-MPQ (p = .04), and daily pain (p = 0.03) were significant. Significance p = 0.05.