Mindfulness-based Rehabilitation in a University Museum Setting to Reduce Pain and Improve Quality of Life in Women With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Art as a Therapeutic Tool in the Rehabilitation of Patients With Fibromyalgia: the University Museum as a Setting for an Integrative Medicine Program - a Randomized Controlled Trial
G. d'Annunzio University
44 participants
Nov 27, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This research study aims to investigate whether art and integrative medicine, within a unique setting like a university museum, can offer a new approach to help women suffering from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing widespread pain and other symptoms such as fatigue and sleep disturbances. The question this study seeks to answer is: Is an 8-week rehabilitation program, based on mindfulness and body awareness techniques, conducted at the University Museum of the G. d'Annunzio University, effective in reducing pain and improving the quality of life (physical and mental well-being) and coping abilities in female fibromyalgia patients? Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive this program in the museum or to a control group.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria12
- Female patients
- Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome according to 2016 criteria
- Muscle pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score greater than 5 in the last month
- Age between 18 and 60 years
- Absence of other chronic, widespread, or localized painful conditions
- Absence of any other condition that might affect pain perception (e.g., diabetes)
- Absence of neurological or psychiatric conditions that might affect study participation
- Absence of current or past oncological diseases in the last 5 years
- Absence of corticosteroid therapy in the last 30 days
- Absence of NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) and analgesic therapy in the last 4 days
- Absence of pregnancy and breastfeeding for the entire duration of observation
- Signed informed consent
Exclusion Criteria7
- Presence of severe scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis
- Previous spinal surgeries or sequelae of vertebral fractures
- Presence of lumbosciatalgia (sciatica-like pain in the lower back) at the time of the visit
- Presence of osteoporosis
- Presence of neurological or psychiatric conditions
- Current therapy with corticosteroids and/or NSAIDs and/or analgesics
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
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Interventions
This intervention consists of an 8-week integrated rehabilitation program, with weekly 60-minute sessions, conducted at the University Museum. The program includes mindfulness techniques, conscious breathing exercises, body scan meditation, mindfulness walking within the museum's exhibition spaces, specific stretching and mobilization techniques, and gratitude and recognition exercises, all framed by the artistic and cultural context of the museum. The museum environment is utilized as a therapeutic setting to amplify the benefits of the behavioral techniques.
Participants in the control arm will receive the same mindfulness-based integrated rehabilitation program delivered at the CARES University Center. The intervention consists of eight weekly 60-minute sessions including breathing awareness, body scan, mindful walking, and guided mindfulness exercises. This program mirrors the structure and duration of the museum-based intervention but takes place in a conventional rehabilitation setting.
Locations(2)
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NCT07048366