Description

This is a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT). 98 participants who meet the 2016 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria for FM will be enrolled.

Eligible participants who complete the baseline measurements will be randomly allocated to a PNE group (N = 49) and a self-management education group (N = 49).

Primary outcomes include pain severity determined using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF) and FM severity assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised (FIQR).

Secondary outcomes, including pain catastrophizing and sustained attention, will examine using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), and QEEG, respectively.

All outcomes will be measured at 3 different time points: (T0: baseline; T1: immediately after the 6-week intervention period; and T2: 3 months after the intervention period).

Implications

This will be the first-ever RCT to examine the effectiveness of a Chinese-language PNE program and the first study to determine the brain changes after PNE using QEEG in patients with FM. Once the effectiveness of the PNE and its brain mechanisms are supported by evidence from this trial, it will become a game changer in the management of the FM population. If an evidence-based PNE platform based on the patented training course is subsequently developed, the product will have great potential for commercialization.