Does Activity Pacing Really Help with Fibromyalgia? A Study Says Yes

 If you live with fibromyalgia, you’ve probably heard the advice: “Just pace yourself.” But what does that actually mean—and does it work?

A UK study tested a new way of teaching activity pacing to people with chronic pain and fatigue, including those with fibromyalgia. The results are promising and could help you better manage your symptoms.

What Is Activity Pacing?

Activity pacing is a strategy to help you balance activity and rest. Instead of pushing through pain or crashing after doing too much, pacing teaches you to:

• Break tasks into smaller chunks

• Take regular rest breaks

• Plan your day around your energy levels

• Avoid the boom-and-bust cycle

But here’s the catch: pacing advice can vary wildly depending on who you ask. That’s why researchers created a standardised activity pacing framework—a consistent way for healthcare professionals to teach pacing.

What Did the Study Do?

The study took place in a UK NHS pain clinic and included 107 adults with conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic back pain.

Participants joined a six-week rehabilitation program that followed the new pacing framework. Researchers tracked changes in symptoms like:

• Pain

• Fatigue (physical and mental)

• Depression and anxiety

• Self-confidence

• Physical and mental function

• Quality of life

They also looked at how well patients stuck with the program and how satisfied they were.

What Were the Results?

• 77% of eligible patients joined the study

• 89% attended at least five sessions

• Satisfaction scores averaged 9 out of 10

• Symptoms improved during the program

• Improvements were still noticeable three months later

In short: pacing helped. People felt better, functioned better, and learned how to manage their symptoms more effectively.

READ THE STUDY RESULTS