Educating patients: Self-Management approaches

PURPOSE: To review and evaluate approaches to educating patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). METHODS: A narrative literature review was undertaken to summarize the published literature on patient education for FMS patients. RESULTS: A number of studies contain specific education strategies while others are combined with exercise or movement therapies or cognitive-behavioural therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Self-efficacy provides an effective theoretical model from which to understand how patients change as a result of education strategies that focus on self-management. Programmes that combine education with cognitive-behavioural techniques and exercise are most effective in enhancing self-efficacy and decreasing symptoms of FMS.