Web-Based Program for Symptom Management in Fibromyalgia

This Phase II project will complete development of the SMART (Self-Monitoring and Review Tool) Log program for symptom management and health promotion in FM and evaluate its efficacy in a large web-based trial that will closely emulate its planned application in Phase III. The SMARTLog program is an interactive web-based self-monitoring and feedback intervention that employs proprietary statistical analysis procedures to give the user personally optimized guidance on behavioral, lifestyle and coping strategies that yield effective symptom reduction for that individual. The program incorporates longitudinal collection and analysis of the individual's self-monitoring data followed by delivery of personalized feedback derived from those same personal data. The program helps FM sufferers discover and monitor linkages between specific personal health-related behaviors and management strategies and their symptom levels over time. Feasibility was demonstrated in Phase I by very high retention rates, ratings of satisfaction and perceived relevance, evidence of impact of utilization on improved well-being over the use period, and qualitative data indicating strong interest in continuation with the program.