Factors affecting adherence to rehabilitation interventions for individuals with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS), a chronic nonarticular rheumatic syndrome, is characterized by diffuse pain and functional impairment. Identifying factors that contribute to treatment adherence is an important research objective. This study examined treatment adherence of 87 people with FS enrolled in a rehabilitation clinical trial study, and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) biofeedback, (2) exercise, (3) combination (biofeedback and exercise). Between-group differences on an adherence measure were examined, and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the best model for predicting adherence. The results suggest that adherence among people with FS is multidetermined. Those in the biofeedback intervention were more adherent, suggesting that treatment factors impact adherence. Furthermore, the best model for predicting adherence suggests that subject characteristics like age and education also influence adherence.