Prevalence and Contextual Factors of Juvenile Fibromyalgia in a Population-Based Italian Sample of Children and Adolescents.

Juvenile Fibromyalgia (JFM) is poorly known, leading to delay in the identification of the syndrome. On the other hand, early diagnosis in children is important to prevent the worsening of the disease. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of JFM in an Italian population-based convenience sample, using different criteria (2010 and 2016 ACR, Yunus and Masi), by involving family pediatricians. It also aims to assess the relationships between JFM and contextual factors of the children and their parents, as well as to raise awareness of JFM among pediatricians. Children's data were collected using an ad hoc electronic questionnaire. Overall, 7275 questionnaires were collected (48.5% females; mean age: 8.2 ± 3.6 years). Thirty-eight children (0.5%) met the 2010 ACR criteria, and 4 (0.1%) met the 2016 ACR criteria. The likelihood of meeting the 2010 ACR criteria was significantly higher for children older than 8 years (OR: 2.42), those who had injuries during the leisure time that caused persistent pain (OR: 6.49), whose parents (at least one) had a diagnosis of fibromyalgia (OR: 2.54) or diffuse pain (OR: 9.09). In conclusion, 2010 ACR criteria are confirmed as the more appropriate for children and adolescents and the analysis of contextual factors suggests the need for family pediatricians to pay particular attention to the most important predictors of JFM.

Systemic Sclerosis Patients Experiencing Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program: The Beneficial Effect on Their Psychological Status and Quality of Life.

Psychological concerns in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) patients represent an important issue and should be addressed through non-pharmacological treatments. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program on psychological variables and the perspectives and experiences of patients with an SSc diagnosis. Notably, 32 SSc patients were enrolled and assigned to either the intervention (MBSR) group or the waitlist group. Inclusion criteria were (i) age ≥ 18 years, SSc diagnosis according to EULAR/ACR diagnostic criteria and informed consent. Exclusion criteria were previous participation in any Mind-Body Therapy or psychiatric diagnosis. Quantitative and qualitative outcomes were investigated through clinometric questionnaires and individual interviews. MBSR did not significantly impact outcomes such as physical functionality, anxiety, hopelessness, depression, physical health status, perceived stress, mindfulness and mental health status. For the anger evaluation, statistically significant differences are found for both controlling and expressing anger, indicating that the MBSR program had a favorable impact. As for qualitative results, more awareness of daily activities, stress reduction in terms of recognizing the causes and implementing self-strategies to prevent them, adherence to therapy, and recognition of the effect of medication on their bodies were reported. In conclusion, it is important to highlight the absence of negative or side effects of the MBSR program and the positive impact on patients' experience and perspective; thus, we suggest this approach should be taken into account for SSc patients.

Rehabilitation of the face and temporomandibular joint in systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) alterations of the face and of the mouth cause aesthetic modifications and disability, impairing self-esteem and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to verify the effects of two rehabilitation protocols on facial mimic and mouth opening. METHODS: A total of 47 SSc patients (40 females and 7 males, mean age ± SD 59.08 ± 10.31 years), were consecutively selected: 22 were randomly assigned to protocol 1 [home exercises for temporomandibular joint (TMJ), mimic, masticatory and cervical spine muscles] and 25 to protocol 2 (home exercises and combined physiotherapeutic procedures performed by a physiotherapist). Each treatment had a duration of 12 weeks with a follow up of 8 weeks. TMJ dysfunction, orofacial involvement, disability, QoL, and safety were assessed at enrollment (T0), at the end of the treatment (T1), and at follow up (T2). RESULTS: Both Protocol 1 and Protocol 2 induced significant improvements of some clinical and clinimetric parameters, but better results were obtained with Protocol 2. In the comparison between the effects of Protocol 1 and Protocol 2 at T1 and T2, a significant difference was observed only for Mouth Handicap in SSc [MHISS; Total (p = 0.00178] and for MHISS Mouth opening (p = 0.0098) at T1. No significant difference of indices of short-form 36 was observed. CONCLUSION: The present data suggest that TMJ involvement in SSc may be managed by rehabilitation treatments. The action of a physiotherapist prescribing and personalizing exercises may induce better therapeutic effects.

Clinical significance and usefulness of rehabilitation for systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis is a multisystem connective tissue disorder characterized by excessive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Impairments in skin, the musculoskeletal system, and respiratory system require rehabilitation therapy because they may lead to disabilities and reduce the quality of life in daily activities. Rehabilitation for systemic sclerosis mainly comprises two distinct approaches that include local and global rehabilitation. Local rehabilitation is applied to maintain and/or improve hand and face functions, while global rehabilitation includes aerobic and resistance exercises. Although few high-quality randomized clinical trials have been conducted to date, previous studies indicated the effectiveness of rehabilitation therapy for decreasing local and systemic disabilities, resulting in improved quality of life. Rehabilitation for systemic sclerosis needs to be regularly and constantly performed at home as well as in hospitals. Physicians involved in the treatment of systemic sclerosis need to consider rehabilitation, and skilled physiotherapists and occupational therapists also play a crucial role in evaluating and treating systemic sclerosis patients.

Women With Primary Sjögren Syndrome and With Non-Sjögren Sicca Syndrome Show Similar Vulvar Histopathologic and Immunohistochemical Changes.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and the prevalence of histopathologic and immunohistochemical changes in vulvar biopsies, in women with Primary Sjögren Syndrome (pSS) and non-Sjögren Sicca Syndrome (nS-SS). Twenty-one women with pSS and 11 with nS-SS (investigated by xerophtalmia and xerostomia tests, biopsy of minor salivary glands, gynecological history, and gynecologic symptoms score) underwent vulvar biopsies, evaluated for histopathologic and immunohistochemicalchanges, and compared with those obtained from 26 patients with lichen sclerosus. An inflammatory infiltrate was present in 31/32 biopsies (96.9%); biopsies from pSS patients showed a mild infiltrate in 10 cases and a moderate infiltrate in 11 cases; and patients with nS-SS had a mild infiltrate in 8 biopsies and moderate infiltrate in the other 2 biopsies. By immunohistochemistry, the infiltrate was composed predominantly of T lymphocytes (CD3), CD20 B cells were sparse and mean CD4:CD8 T-cell ratio was 1.5. No differences were observed between the grading of the inflammatory infiltrate in nS-SS and pSS; no correlation was shown between vulvar inflammatory infiltrate score (mild or moderate) and salivary glands inflammatory score. No differences were found in gynecologic symptoms, as well as in clinical and demographical characteristics between patients with mild and those with moderate vulvar inflammatory score. A higher prevalence of moderate inflammatory infiltrate was observed in biopsies from women with lichen sclerosus than in pSS and nS-SS patients (61.5% vs. 27.5%, P=0.02). Women with pSS and nS-SS show a high and similar prevalence of vulvar inflammatory infiltrate. A gynecologic evaluation is needed both in pSS and nS-SS to assess genital involvement and, eventually, to address a therapy targeted to genital symptoms.

Efficacy of rehabilitation with Tai Ji Quan in an Italian cohort of patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is characterized by musculoskeletal pain, muscle tenderness leading to disability, impaired quality of life (QoL), fatigue and it is accompanied by sleep disorders and psychological distress. Mind body therapies (MBT), such as Tai Ji Quan (TJQ), use different techniques to facilitate the ability of the mind to influence disease characteristics and symptoms. Some studies showed that TJQ, in patients with rheumatic diseases, particularly FMS, improved QoL, disability and psychological distress. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of TJQ on disability, QoL, fatigue, sleep and psychological distress in an Italian cohort of FMS patients. METHODS: We enrolled 44 FMS patients: 22 patients (Experimental Group) participated to a course of Tai Ji Quan style of (2/week for 16 weeks); 22 patients (Control Group) participated to an educational course about FMS (2/week for 16 weeks). At baseline (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1), patients were assessed for disability [Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)], Quality of Life [Short-Form 36 (SF36)], fatigue [Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness-Fatigue (FACIT-F)], pain [Widespread Pain Index (WPI)], tenderness [Tender Points (TP)], Sleep Quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)] and mood disorders [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. RESULTS: At T1 versus T0, patients of the Experimental Group showed a significant improvement in FIQ, FACIT, SF36 (Summary Physical Index, Physical activity, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, emotional role limitations), in WPI, TP, PSQI (total, sleep duration, and sleep disturbance) and HADS (total score and anxiety subscale), while Patients in the Control Group did not improve in any parameter. CONCLUSIONS: In FMS patients TJQ, if performed by an expert physiotherapist, should be regarded as an effective rehabilitation method.

Systemic sclerosis: rehabilitation as a tool to cope with disability.

In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), local disability of the hands and face, due to the involvement of skin, subcutaneous tissues and musculoskeletal system, is scarcely improved by pharmacological therapy, but may be treated efficaciously with rehabilitation, which can prevent and reduce local disability, thus ameliorating global disability and impaired Quality of Life, related to changes in the hands and face. In SSc, in order to be efficacious, rehabilitation should: 1. include and use both local treatments of hands and face and global rehabilitation techniques; 2. be different according to the different SSc phases and subsets; 3. include different techniques to tailor treatment to the personal needs and abilities of the patients.

Mind body therapies in rehabilitation of patients with rheumatic diseases.

Mind body therapies (MBT) share a global approach involving both mental and physical dimensions, and focus on relationship between brain, mind, body and behavior and their effects on health and disease. MBT include concentration based therapies and movement based therapies, comprising traditional Oriental practices and somatic techniques. The greatest part of rheumatic diseases have a chronic course, leading to progressive damages at musculoskeletal system and causing physical problems, psychological and social concerns. Thus, rheumatic patients need to be treated with a multidisciplinary approach integrating pharmacological therapies and rehabilitation techniques, that not should only aim to reduce the progression of damages at musculoskeletal system. Thus, MBT, using an overall approach, could be useful in taking care of the overall health of the patients with chronic rheumatic diseases. This review will deal with different MBT and with their effects in the most common chronic rheumatic diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia Syndrome).

Is an intervention with a custom-made splint and an educational program useful on pain in patients with trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis in a daily clinical setting?

AIM: Custom-made splints may be useful in the conservative treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint OA. Our aim was to evaluate usefulness of a custom-made splint and educational program in patients with symptomatic TMC joint OA in daily clinical practice. METHODS: Fifty patients with symptomatic TMC joint OA, not treated with surgery, were enrolled in a open prospective study in a clinical day setting and treated with a 'butterfly' custom-made thermoplastic short opponens splint to be worn 16 h/day for 30 days and then when needed, for 12 months. Patients were evaluated at enrolment (T0), at the first month (T1) and at the 12th month (T2) since splint application for pain (main outcome measure) by numeric rating scale 0-10. At T0 and T1, a Jamar dynamometer (kg) was used to assess hand strength, a pinch gauge to evaluate pinch strength (kg) and Dreiser test to assess hand disability (secondary outcome measures). RESULTS: The comparison between T0 and T1 showed a significant improvement in all the outcome measures (P < 0.0001 for pain, muscle and pinch strength; P = 0.001 for Dreiser test). Moreover, at the end of 12 months follow-up, patients maintained the reduction of pain (T2 vs. T1, P = NS) and showed a reduced consumption of analgesics (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A custom-made thermoplastic short opponens splint for 30 consecutively days for at least 16 h/day, followed by occasional use on pain outbreak is an useful conservative treatment in symptomatic TMC joint OA.

Ischemia-hyperpnea test is useful to detect patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the prevalence of neuromuscular hyperexcitability in Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) by electromyography ischaemia-hyperpnea test (IHT) and its correlation with clinical and clinimetric parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-five FMS patients underwent IHT to evaluate neuromuscular hyperexcitability and were evaluated for pain (numeric Rating Scale and Regional Pain Scale), tenderness (tender points), disability [Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)], quality of life (QOL) [Short Form 36 (SF36)], mood [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)], sleep [numeric rating scale (NRS)], and fatigue [Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT)]. RESULTS: Of the 145 patients, 95 were tested positive by IHT, and 33 and 17 patients were negative and borderline, respectively. By comparing the three groups, IHT positive patients had lower age and lower SF36 vitality (V), social activities (SA), and mental summary index (MSI) than negative patients (p<0.05). By comparing positive versus negative patients and by comparing positive and borderline patients versus negative patients, it was found that FACIT was higher, whereas age, SF36 V, SA, mental health (MH), and MSI were lower (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: FMS patients present a high prevalence of neuromuscular hyperexcitability, as assessed by IHT. IHT positive patients have poor QOL and higher fatigue than IHT negative patients. Thus, IHT positivity could identify FMS patients with a more severe disease.

A comparison of two podiatric protocols for metatarsalgia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) forefoot involvement causes disability and metatarsalgia. Our objective was to evaluate, in RA and OA patients, the efficacy of two protocols combining insoles in polypropylene terephtalate (PPT) and custom silicone orthoses for toes on disability and metatarsalgia. METHODS: Twenty-four women (13 with OA, 11 with RA) with metatarsalgia were treated with two protocols: group A (protocol A) wore PPT insoles (T1) for 30 days and for another 30 days silicone orthosis for toes were added (T2). Group B (protocol B) wore PPT insoles and silicone orthosis (T1) for 30 days and in the following 30 days only insoles (T2). At T0, T1 and T2, pain, disability and function (Foot Function Index - FFI), pressure (KPA) and plantar contact areas (cm2) (baropodometer), and gait spatial-temporal parameters (GAITRite®) were assessed. RESULTS: At T0 versus T2, both protocols reduced FFI-pain, -disability and -functional limitation (p<0.05), with better results of protocol A than protocol B (p<0.05) for FFI-pain and -disability. Both protocols reduced baropodometer foot plantar pressures (p<0.001), with better results for protocol A for right foot pressures (p<0.05) and increased foot contact areas (p<0.05), with no difference between them (p=NS). Gait parameters were not significantly changed by both protocols (p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RA and OA with metatarsalgia, the synergic action of silicone toe orthosis and PPT insoles improves FFI, reduces foot plantar pressures and increases foot plantar contact areas. Protocol A, using firstly insoles and then adding silicone toe orthoses, is the more efficacious.

Muscle shortening manoeuvre reduces pain and functional impairment in shoulder impingement syndrome: clinical and ultrasonographic evidence.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short-term efficacy of muscle shortening manoeuvre (MSM), by inducing an increase in strength of the shoulder muscles, for the treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). METHODS: Sixty subjects (mean age: 58.6 years) with SIS were assigned to one of 3 different treatment interventions: 1) MSM: a series of fast accelerations in the upward direction was applied to the upper limb that was also submitted to forces acting in the opposite direction (added mass); 2) traditional physiotherapeutic technique: scapulothoracic gliding; 3) simple traction: the added mass was applied to the limb without the series of fast accelerations. Pain intensity, Neer's impingement sign, range of motion and muscle strength were assessed. Ultrasound (US) examination was performed before, immediately after and 30 days after each treatment to study the width of the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa, long biceps tendon sheath and acromioclavicular joint. Impingement was evaluated by dynamic examination. RESULTS: After treatment with MSM, pain was significantly reduced (p<0.001), Neer's impingement sign was negative, range of motion and muscle strength were increased. US examination showed that the widths of the subacromial-subdeltoid bursa (p<0.001), long biceps tendon sheath (p<0.001) and acromioclavicular joint (p<0.001) were significantly reduced; impingement was no more detected. After 30 days, improvement in clinical and US findings was maintained. In the two control groups, no significant changes were observed after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and US findings demonstrate that MSM, by inducing an increase in muscle strength, is effective in the short-term treatment of SIS.

Sexual function in Italian women with systemic sclerosis is affected by disease-related and psychological concerns.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), sexual function is somewhat impaired. Our aim was to evaluate sexual function in women with SSc in comparison to controls, and to investigate the association with sociodemographic and disease characteristics, and physical and psychological variables. METHODS: Forty-six women with SSc and 46 healthy women were assessed for sociodemographic characteristics and gynecological development and administered the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced-New Italian Version, and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale. Patients were also assessed for disease duration and subset, Female Sexual Function in SSc, Hand Mobility in Scleroderma test (HAMIS), Cochin Hand Functional Disability Scale, Mouth Handicap in Systemic Sclerosis Scale (MHISS), Disability Sexual and Body Esteem Scale (PDSBE); and fist closure, hand opening, and mouth opening. RESULTS: In patients with SSc, only FSFI desire subscale score was significantly lower (p = 0.035) versus controls. Total FSFI score, similar to controls, was related with Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 mental component, HAQ (p = 0.022), MHISS (p = 0.038), and HAMIS (p = 0.037). In SSc, the main factors independently associated with sexual functioning were vaginal dryness [regression coefficient (B) = -0.72; p < 0.001], PDSBE (B = 0.42; p = 0.001), and HADS depression scale (B = -0.23; p = 0.035). Together, these variables explained 70% of the variance in the FSFI total score. CONCLUSION: In SSc, sexual function, although not different from controls, is influenced by specific disease-related and psychological concerns. Thus it should be included in patient evaluations and assessed in daily clinical practice.

In systemic sclerosis, anxiety and depression assessed by hospital anxiety depression scale are independently associated with disability and psychological factors.

BACKGROUND: Anxious and depressive symptoms are frequent in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Our objective is to assess their prevalence and association with district and global disability and psychological variables. METHODS: 119 SSc patients were assessed by Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Clinical depression and anxiety were defined for HADS score cutoff ≥ 8. Patients were assessed for psychological symptoms (RSES, COPE-NIV), hand (HAMIS, CHFDS, fist closure, and hand opening) and face disability (MHISS, mouth opening), global disability, and fatigue (HAQ, FACIT). RESULTS: Both depression and anxiety in SSc are 36%. Depressive patients with comorbid anxiety have higher HADS-D score than patients with depression only (P = 0.001). HADS-A and -D are positively correlated with global disability, hands and mouth disability, fatigue, self-esteem and avoidance coping strategy, and, only HADS-A, also with social support (P < 0.05). By multiple regression, HADS-D is independently associated with FACIT-F (P < 0.001), RSES (P < 0.001), and MHISS total score (P = 0.016), together explaining 50% of variance. HADS-A is independently associated with RSES (P = 0.006), COPE-NIV SA (P = 0.003), COPE-NIV SS (P = 0.008), FACIT-F (P = 0.022), and MHISS mouth opening (P = 0.029), explaining 41% of variance. CONCLUSIONS: In SSc depression and anxiety correlate to local and global disabilities and psychological characteristics. Depressive patients with comorbid anxiety have higher level of depressive symptoms.

Gynaecological symptoms and sexual disability in women with primary Sjögren's syndrome and sicca syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to investigate women with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and sicca syndrome (SS), focusing on the prevalence of disease-related symptoms and their impact on sexual ability, relationship, communication about sexuality with partner and health professionals (HP). METHODS: Sixty-two women with pSS and 33 with SS were assessed for sexual activity, relationship with partner, communication about sex; for physical disability and body esteem, fatigue, disability, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Around 55% patients had a relationship; >79% and around 70% at least 1 gynaecological (especially dryness), and 1 muscle-skeletal symptom, respectively; around 60% sex disability for disease-related symptoms, mainly dryness (p=NS for all comparisons between pSS and SS). In both groups, disease changed sexual activity (around 50%), causing limitation (around 50%) and reduced frequency (>80%) in sexual intercourses; sex pleasure and satisfaction were around 30% and 25% (p=NS for pSS vs. SS). Around 55% patients discussed with partner disease-effects on relationship; despite in around 70% partner understood difficulties, in around 34% disease altered relationship (p=NS for pSS vs. SS). Around 16% patients were asked by HP if disease affected sexuality, around 30% never approached anyone to discuss about sex (p=NS for pSS vs. SS). Disability, QOL, mood, fatigue, similar in pSS versus SS (p=NS), were not affected by xerostomia and xeroftalmia, but by sex concerns and sex disability. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pSS and SS present, often and at the same extent, gynaecological symptoms, leading to impaired sexual intercourse, affecting pleasure, satisfaction, sexual ability.

A manual therapy intervention improves symptoms in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome: a pilot study.

In carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), manual therapy interventions (MTI) reduce tissue adhesion and increase wrist mobility. We evaluated the efficacy of a MTI in relieving CTS signs and symptoms. Twenty-two CTS patients (pts) (41 hands) were treated with a MTI, consisting in 6 treatments (2/week for 3 weeks) of soft tissues of wrist and hands and of carpal bones. Pts were assessed for hand sensitivity, paresthesia, hand strength, hand and forearm pain, night awakening; Phalen test, thenar eminence hypotrophy and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS). Median nerve was studied by sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and distal motor latency (DML). CTS was scored as minimal, mild, medium, severe and extreme. We considered as control group the same pts assessed before treatment: at baseline (T0a) and after 12 weeks (T0b). Pts were evaluated at the end of treatment (T1) and after 24-week (T2) follow-up. At T0b, versus T0a, forearm pain and Phalen test positivity were increased and hand strength reduced (p < 0.05). BCTQ-SSS and BCTQ-FSS scores improved at T1 versus T0b (p < 0.05) with the amelioration maintained at T2. At T1, the number of pts with paresthesia, night awakening, hypoesthesia, Phalen test, hand strength reduction and hand sensitivity was reduced with the lacking of symptoms maintained at T2 (p < 0.05). No changes in SNCV, DML and CTS scoring were shown. MTI improved CTS signs and symptoms, with benefits maintained at follow-up. Thus, it may be valid as a conservative therapy.

Rességuier method and Qi Gong sequentially integrated in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: In fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), the Rességuier Method (RM) and Qi Gong (QG) can be efficacious. QG aims to improve posture, respiration, concentration, while RM aims to obtain patient awareness and control of pain perception. We evaluate 2 protocols integrating RM and QG in FMS. METHODS: Thirty FMS patients were assigned to Group 1, treated by RM and then by QG or Group 2, treated by QG and then by RM. In both protocols, patients are treated 7 weeks by each technique (with 1 week interval), and followed up for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed at T0, at end of 1st (T1) and 2nd intervention (T2), at follow-up (FU) by number rating scale (NRS) for sleep quality and pain, Regional Pain Scale (RPS),Tender Points (TPs), FIQ, HAQ, SF36, HADS for anxiety and depression (HADS-a/d). RESULTS: In Group 1 at T1 (after RM), NRS for pain, RPS, FIQ, HAQ were reduced, HADS-a and SF36 ameliorated; at T2 (after QG) FIQ were further reduced and TPs and HADS-d improved; HADS-a and SF36 maintained. In Group 2 at T1 (after QG), NRS for pain, RPS, TPs, FIQ, HAQ, reduced with reduction maintained at T2 (after RM). HADS-a and -d and SF36 ameliorated at T1, with improvement confirmed at T2; sleep quality ameliorated only at T2. Effects of both protocols are similar at T2 and maintained at FU. CONCLUSIONS: In FMS, both protocols improve pain, disability, quality of life, tenderness, anxiety. RM also ameliorates sleep and QG improves depression. Sequential integration of RM and QG is efficacious in FMS.