A short-term evaluation of a new fibromyalgia service in a musculoskeletal community-based setting.

Sarah Owen, Ruth Sephton, Peter Goodwin, Mundie Lawrance
Purpose:

Overall, current management strategies show an inconsistent use of evidence-based interventions and patients with fibromyalgia express low levels of satisfaction with the healthcare they receive. The primary aim was to explore whether the current fibromyalgia service in the St Helen’s Musculoskeletal Team changes patient outcomes. The two objectives to achieve this aim were: to determine changes to musculoskeletal health; and to determine changes to mental wellbeing.

Methods:

N=101 adult patients were recruited between August 2023 and March 2024. Data from two patient-reported outcome measures were collected at baseline (upon engagement with the service), and at discharge, to reflect the fact that treatment duration can vary significantly. Outcome measures used were the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ), and the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS). In addition, demographic data and performance metrics were collected.

Results:

N=54 patients were included in the analysis. The study found statistically significant changes in both the MSK-HQ and SWEMWBS from baseline to discharge. The MSK-HQ did not meet the threshold for clinical significance, and the SWEMWBS results were suggestive of clinical significance but not conclusive. Patients lost to follow-up generally had lower baseline scores in both measures.

Conclusion(s):

The results show that it is difficult to demonstrate clinically significant improvements particularly in musculoskeletal health. It would be beneficial to explore different ways of measuring improvement in this population, to reflect the complexity, chronicity and variability of symptoms. Future research could also focus on studying outcomes over a longer period.

Implications:

Current evidence supports the use of personalised care, whereas most studies consider only one treatment approach. A widespread approach to evaluation is key. Implementing this model of care elsewhere and reporting the findings will help to inform future healthcare practices for fibromyalgia patients across the UK.

Funding acknowledgements:
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust Transforming Health Collaboration Fund, Manchester Metropolitan University.
Keywords:
Fibromyalgia
Personalised care
Wellbeing
Primary topic:
Musculoskeletal
Second topic:
Service delivery/emerging roles
Third topic:
Primary health care
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Manchester Metropolitan University Faculty Ethics Committee
Provide the ethics approval number:
Ref: 51475
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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