Motivational interviewing may encourage exercise in persons with fibromyalgia by enhancing self efficacy

Building self efficacy to exercise is an essential component of any exercise program offered to people with FM. If people do not believe they can do the exercise routines, or do not believe that exercise will produce positive changes in their health, they are unlikely to begin exercise classes. In an attempt to overcome the problem of motivation to exercise in a new exercise and drug study for people with FM, the authors are using trained MI counselors to talk with participants who miss 3 or more consecutive exercise classes. MI is an innovative method with potential applications in motivating people with FM to begin exercise programs and continue attending classes long term. Although MI is different from many standard education techniques, it holds great promise in answering the age-old question, "How can we get people to exercise?".