The feasibility and acceptability of outdoor sessions as an add-on of an online multicomponent program (FIBROWALK) for fibromyalgia: A pilot randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: The given text describes a pilot randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of outdoor sessions as an add-on to an online multicomponent program (FIBROWALK) for fibromyalgia (FM) patients. Materials and methods: The trial involved 110 participants with FM (99% women; mean age of 51.89 ± 1.89 years) from a tertiary hospital in Spain who were randomly assigned to either the online FIBROWALK program (n = 38) or the blended FIBROWALK program arm (n = 61; online FIBROWALK plus 4 outdoor sessions). Results: Overall, attrition was minimal (14.01%) and adherence to the outdoor session was modest (52% of the group attended at least one outdoor session). Participants’ expectations and opinions were positive. Paired-samples t-tests for examining within-group differences showed that participants in each arm had significantly improved functional impairment, anxious-depressive symptomatology, physical function, and fear of pain symptoms. Analysis of covariance for examining between-group differences showed that the blended FIBROWALK had a significantly higher effect on psychological distress than the online FIBROWALK (F(1,96) = 4.23; p = .042; Cohen's d = .60). Conclusions: These results suggest that the blended program was feasible, secure, and acceptable to the participants. Although the online FIBROWALK program alone may be sufficient for managing fibromyalgia symptoms, the addition of outdoor sessions may provide significant additional benefits. Future definitive randomized controlled trials are warranted.