Treating Fibromyalgia with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
![CBT](http://cdn2.locable.com/uploads/resource/file/1111379/fill/800x0/0524_HB_CBT_Science_20Photo_20Library_CanvaPro.jpg?timestamp=1725771885)
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CBT is a form of psychological treatment that usually involves efforts to change thinking and behavioral patterns. Strategies include facing fears instead of avoiding them, using role play to prepare for potentially problematic interactions and learning to calm the mind and relax the body.
To measure the participants’ responses to CBT, researchers used various assessment tools alongside functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which measures the small changes in blood flow that occur with brain activity. The participants that received eight weeks of CBT experienced a reduction on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, compared to a smaller drop in the group that received only educational materials. Furthermore, fMRI scans indicated changes in brain patterns following CBT, suggesting its effectiveness in addressing catastrophic thoughts. By providing evidence of tangible brain changes, this research can help validate the reality of chronic pain, which is often dismissed as being “all in one's head.”