The Importance of Daily Activity for Reducing Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Retrospective "Real World" Data Comparison of two Multimodal Treatment Programs.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of two multidisciplinary fibromyalgia programs with different intensities.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective real-world comparison of patient data, pre- and post-program datasets of Short Form 36 (SF36) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were obtained from a total of 210 female patients in two fibromyalgia multidisciplinary day hospital programs including one intensive program with daily treatments summing up to 20 treatment days during four weeks (P20, n=70) versus a less intensive program with 12 treatment days during four weeks (P12, n=140).

Results: Multiple subscales of SF36 and FIQ were improved in the pre-post comparison in both groups.

The long-term patient in the community: life style patterns and treatment implications.

A sample of 99 long-term patients at an urban community mental health-mental retardation center were interviewed to determine how they spent their time and their degree of happiness with their lives and the services they received at the center. More than half the patients were considered by center staff to be only mildly or moderately impaired, but as a group they were distinguished by low levels of educational, financial, and vocational achievement; only 13 per cent were working more than half time. Most of the patients considered themselves happy, but their life style was oriented toward health and social relationships and lacked a work-task orientation.