Mindfulness-based Rehabilitation in a University Museum Setting to Reduce Pain and Improve Quality of Life in Women With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

Conditions

• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Pain
• Musculoskeletal Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Integrated Rehabilitation Program at the University Museum

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.

OTHER

CARES treatment

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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• G. d'Annunzio University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Teresa Paolucci, Associate Professor, MD, PhD · University of Study "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara

• Ruggero D'Anastasio, Full Professor · University of Study "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Director of University Museum

• Giannapia Affaitati, MD, PhD · University of Study "G. d'Annunzio" of Chieti-Pescara, Co-Principal Investigator

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

60 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-11-27

Primary Completion

2026-07-31

Completion

2026-07-31

Countries

• Italy

Study Locations