Mobile app could help people manage fibromyalgia, UC study suggests

WVXU highlights research published in The Lancet

WVXU highlighted research led by the University of Cincinnati's Lesley Arnold and Swing Therapeutics that found a self-guided smartphone-based behavioral therapy led to significant improvements for patients with fibromyalgia.

Results of the Phase 3 PROSPER-FM trial published in The Lancet clinically validated the benefits of smartphone app Stanza that delivers acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a type of cognitive behavioral therapy recommended by international clinical guidelines for fibromyalgia management. These benefits included improvements in well-being, fibromyalgia severity and major fibromyalgia symptoms, including pain intensity, pain interference, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression and physical function.

“For millions of people with fibromyalgia, this study, published in The Lancet, describes a new and effective therapy for fibromyalgia,” said Lesley Arnold, MD, study principal investigator and professor emerita at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “This novel, non-drug therapy, available using a smartphone, makes management of fibromyalgia more accessible and convenient. This offers new hope for people with fibromyalgia, who have continued to experience unmet treatment needs.”

Read more about the research.

Read the WVXU article.

Pain News Network also covered the research. Read the Pain News Network story.

Featured photo at top: A person holds a phone displaying the Stanza app. Photo provided by Swing Therapeutics.

Related Stories

2

Cape Girardeau, Missouri news highlights UC clinical trial

February 20, 2024

KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, Missouri highlighted a University of Cincinnati clinical trial testing a wearable neurostimulation device to help patients with opioid use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder stick with medication treatment while finding the right dose.

3

UC, Children's join $20 million statewide research effort

August 16, 2024

The Cincinnati Business Courier highlighted the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s being part of a collaborative research initiative designed to identify the root causes of the ongoing epidemic of persistent emotional distress, suicide and drug overdose in the state of Ohio.