An innovative study conducted by the University of Cincinnati and Swing Therapeutics revealed that a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy significantly enhanced the well-being of fibromyalgia patients.
The research involved a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that tested the effectiveness of Stanza, a smartphone app offering acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This form of cognitive behavioral therapy is recommended by international clinical guidelines for managing fibromyalgia. The study’s findings were recently published on July 8 in The Lancet.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition affecting around 10 million Americans, with a higher prevalence among women. This condition is characterized by widespread pain along with various physical and cognitive symptoms like fatigue, disrupted sleep, decreased physical function, memory issues, and difficulty concentrating (referred to as “brain fog”). Additionally, individuals with fibromyalgia often experience anxiety and depression.
The Phase 3 PROSPER-FM trial confirmed the benefits of Stanza, showing improvements in overall well-being, severity of fibromyalgia, and key symptoms such as pain intensity, pain interference, fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, and physical function. This trial is the most extensive medical study ever conducted on fibromyalgia.
Dr. Lesley Arnold, the study’s principal investigator and professor emerita at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, commented on the significance of the study’s results in The Lancet. She emphasized the importance of effective therapies to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a condition that has been largely overlooked and lacks adequate treatment options.
During the 12-week trial, 275 participants were randomly assigned to either receive Stanza therapy or use a digital symptom tracker for comparison. By the end of the trial, 70.6% of those using Stanza reported an improvement in their overall well-being based on the Patient Global Impression of Change scale.
Stanza demonstrated notable improvements in fibromyalgia-related symptoms, functionality, and impact compared to the control group. These improvements included pain intensity, pain interference, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and depression, all without any observed adverse effects associated with the treatment.
Mike Rosenbluth, CEO of Swing, highlighted the limitations of current fibromyalgia treatment options, which often involve a few drugs with limited efficacy and challenging side effects. He pointed out that Stanza provides a non-pharmacological approach aligned with guidelines, offering a valuable alternative for patients who face barriers such as limited access to trained clinicians, geographic constraints, and cost concerns.
