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. 2021 Feb 17;10(4):803.
doi: 10.3390/jcm10040803.

Modifiable Psychological Factors Affecting Functioning in Fibromyalgia

Myrella Paschali  1 , Asimina Lazaridou  1 , Theodoros Paschalis  2 , Vitaly Napadow  3 , Robert R Edwards  1
Affiliations

Modifiable Psychological Factors Affecting Functioning in Fibromyalgia

Myrella Paschali et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Objective: To examine the role of several interrelated, potentially modifiable psychological factors (i.e., mindfulness and catastrophizing) in influencing patient-reported functioning.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 107 patients with fibromyalgia completed self-report assessments of pain severity, functioning and impact of symptoms, mindfulness, and pain catastrophizing. Linear regression and bootstrapping mediation analyses were performed to assess the relationships between these factors.

Results: Pain intensity was significantly and positively associated with pain catastrophizing and impact of fibromyalgia on functioning. Linear regression analyses indicated that pain intensity, catastrophizing, and mindfulness affect functioning in fibromyalgia. Follow-up mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of pain catastrophizing on the relationship between pain intensity and fibromyalgia functioning.

Conclusion: Individuals with fibromyalgia who have higher levels of pain and catastrophizing, and lower levels of mindfulness, are more likely to experience impaired functioning. Our findings suggest that pain catastrophizing appears to be an especially important variable contributing to reduced functioning in women with fibromyalgia. Therefore, catastrophizing-reducing treatments (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy) are likely to have direct, beneficial impacts on functioning.

Keywords: catastrophizing; fibromyalgia; function; functioning; psychological factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pain Catastrophizing mediating the relationship between pain intensity and functioning in fibromyalgia; ** p < 0.01. *** p < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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