Evidence mapPaperPMID 39287095Full record

SynthesisPain2025

Self-management interventions for chronic widespread pain including fibromyalgia: a systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis.

Xiao-Yang Hu, Ben Young, Miriam Santer, Hazel Everitt, Jen Pearson, Hannah Bowers, Michael Moore, Paul Little, Tamar Pincus, Cathy Price and 5 more

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Pain, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. "Food as Friend or Enemy": A Qualitative Study of Motivations Underlying Restrictive Dietary Practices in Fibromyalgia.Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association · 2026
    Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Xiao-Yang HuPrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0002-3143-7999
Ben YoungSchool of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Miriam SanterPrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Hazel EverittPrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Jen PearsonSchool of Health and Social Wellbeing, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom.
Hannah BowersPrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Michael MoorePrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Paul LittlePrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Tamar PincusSchool of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Cathy PricePain Clinic Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom.
Tom RobsonSurrey and Borders Partnership NHST, Surrey, United Kingdom.
Clara de BarrosPublic Contributor, Surrey, United Kingdom.
Jane LoewyPublic Contributor, Lichfield, United Kingdom.
Jenny MageePublic Contributor, Winchester, United Kingdom.
Adam W A GeraghtyPrimary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences & Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.

Funding

NIHR School for Primary Care Research FR1, 538
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

abstractSupporting behavioural self-management is increasingly important in the care for chronic widespread pain (CWP), including fibromyalgia. Understanding peoples' experiences of these interventions may elucidate processes and mechanisms that lead to or hinder their intended impact. We conducted a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies exploring peoples' experiences of self-management interventions for CWP, including fibromyalgia. MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched. Primary qualitative or mixed-methods studies were included if they explored people's self-management intervention experiences for their CWP, including fibromyalgia. Screening, data extraction, and critical appraisal were conducted by 2 reviewers. Data analysis was conducted through thematic synthesis. Twenty-three studies were included, mostly were rated as high or moderate quality. We developed 4 analytic themes: A multifaceted experience of the intervention, potential for transformative experience of group cohesion, a new outlook, and striving for change after the loss of support. Broadly, personalisation was perceived as beneficial and people experienced a range of emotional experiences. These appeared to support positive behavioural and cognitive changes. For most, group activities promoted acceptance and support, fostering new perspectives and improved self-management, although some found aspects of group contexts challenging. Lack of on-going support after interventions led to challenges in applying behavioural strategies, and some struggled without social support from the group. The experiences of self-management interventions for CWP reflect a complex, multifaceted process. Although many reported positive experiences, addressing issues with integration of physical activity, group dynamics and postintervention support may improve effectiveness for a broader range of people.

Indexed as

Chronic PainFibromyalgiaSelf-ManagementHumansQualitative Research

Identifiers

PMID39287095
PMCPMC11808693

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.