Table 5 Comparison of selected management strategies currently used by US- (members of the National Fibromyalgia Association) (N = 2596) [14] and German FMS-consumers (N = 1661) (in descending order of frequency according to US-survey)[14](0 = no effectiveness or harm; 10 = maximum effectiveness or harm)
From: The German fibromyalgia consumer reports – a cross-sectional survey
Management strategy | US consumers %; Mean effectiveness (0-10) (SD) | German consumers % *; Mean effectiveness (0-10) (SD) |
|---|---|---|
Resting | 86; 6.3 (2.5) | 82; 6.6 (2.5) |
Distraction | 80; 4.7 (2.5) | 86; 5.8 (2.3) |
Heat modalities | 74; 6.3 (2.3) | 54; 6.6 (2.5) |
Nutritional supplements | 68; 3.8 (2.8) | 20; 4.0 (3.0) |
Prescription pain medication | 66; 6.3 (2.4) | 82; 4.8 (2.3) |
Gentle walking | 64; 4.6 (2.6) | 80; 5.9 (2.9) |
Prescription antidepressants | 63; 6.2 (2.8) | 46; 4.1 (3.1) |
Stretching | 62; 5.4 (2.6) | 44; 5.8 (2.6) |
Prescription sleep medication | 52; 6.5 (2.7) | 7; 5.0 (3.0) |
Relaxation | 47; 5.1 (5.5) | 49; 5.9 (2.7) |
Massage | 43; 6.1 (2.8) | 25; 6.0 (2.8) |
Aerobic exercise | 32; 5.0 (3.0) | 58; 5.4 (2.7) |
Cold therapy | 30; 4.8 (2.8) | 10; 4.0 (3.5) |
TENS | 21; 4.3 (2.9) | 17; 3.5 (2.8) |
Strength training | 18; 4.3 (2.9) | 39; 5.3 (2.7) |
Pain clinic | 17; 4.8 (3.1) | 4; 5.9 (3.3) |
Acupuncture | 15; 4.5 (3.5) | 11; 4.4 (3.3) |
Cognitive-behavioral therapy | 8; 4.3 (3.2) | 11; 5.5 (3.0) |
Hypnosis | 3; 2.5 (2.9) | 1; 4.5 (3.3) |