Study Design

This was a secondary analysis of data from a recently completed randomized, attention-controlled clinical trial of the efficacy of motivational interviewing (MI) to increase physical activity participation in patients with FM²². In the REEF study, eligible patients were randomized to either the MI intervention group or an education-based attention control (AC) group. Each patient received an individualized exercise prescription and two supervised exercise sessions from a qualified fitness instructor who was blinded to treatment assignment. After completing both exercise sessions, patients received either six exercise-based (MI group) or six FM-related health education (AC group) telephone calls over the subsequent 12 weeks. Outcome assessments were conducted at baseline, immediate post-intervention (week 12), and 6-month follow-up (week 36). All participants gave written informed consent after being clearly advised about the study protocol, which was approved by the Indiana University Institutional Review Board and conformed to the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.