Abstract Background/Aims Fibromyalgia presents complex challenges in clinical management due to its multifactorial nature and the variability in knowledge and engagement from those living with fibromyalgia. The “Learning In Fibromyalgia Together” (LIFT) programme was developed as a structured, multidisciplinary educational intervention to support those living with fibromyalgia post-diagnosis and facilitate progression to pain management programmes (PMPs) where appropriate. Methods LIFT is a six-week joint physiotherapy and psychology-led programme comprising of weekly one-hour sessions. Each session includes psychoeducation and practical components such as exercise, diaphragmatic breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation. Topics span pain science, pacing, sleep, mood, anxiety, and confidence in movement. Outcome measures are collected in sessions one and six. Patients completing LIFT can opt-in for screening for PMP suitability, either standard (two days/week for four weeks) or intensive (five days/week for three weeks), based on functional status and psychological distress and rehabilitation goals. Results Between September 2024 and June 2025, 267 patients were booked onto LIFT, with 199 attending the first session (74.5%) and ninety-seven completing the full programme (48%). This resulted in a reduction of 13.5 weeks from the rheumatology physiotherapy waiting list over nine months. Of those completing LIFT, fifty-five (56%) opted in for PMP screening: twenty-eight were listed for PMP (twenty standard PMP, eight intensive PMP) with twenty of these (fourteen standard PMP, six intensive PMP) fully completing the LIFT to PMP pathway. Amongst this group, patient-reported outcomes from standard PMP showed significant mean improvements across psychological and physical domains: PHQ-9 reduced from 14 to 9, GAD-7 from 10 to 8.5, wellbeing scores increased from 20 to 25, and physical function improved markedly (e.g., 5-min walk from 265m to 338m, 1-min step-ups from 19 to 24). Patient-reported outcomes from intensive PMP showed significant mean improvements: PHQ-9 reduced from 21 to 8, GAD-7 from 14 to 5, wellbeing scores increased from 13 to 29, and physical function improved markedly (e.g., 5-min walk from 191m to 348m and 1 min step-ups from 16 - 23). Qualitative interviews revealed themes of diagnostic uncertainty and perceived and actual lack of support prior to LIFT, and the value of LIFT in building understanding and confidence to engage in rehabilitation. Patients described LIFT as a pivotal step in their journey, easing the transition to PMP and enhancing engagement. Conclusion The LIFT to PMP pathway offers a scalable, multidisciplinary model for fibromyalgia management, improving patient understanding, reducing service burden, and enhancing outcomes. The structured progression from education to intensive rehabilitation supports patients in improving their confidence in their own ability to be able to successfully self-manage their condition and access appropriate care. Future developments will focus on improving communication at the point of booking and tracking long-term outcomes post-LIFT/PMP. Disclosure K. Porthouse: None. M. Smith: None. C. Matley: None. W.J. Gregory: None.
Porthouse et al. (2026) studied this question.