The correlation between problem-oriented coping and a sense of coherence among fibromyalgia patients who underwent the fibrotherapy model intervention programme

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to examine whether the sense of coherence (SOC) among fibromyalgia (FM) increased after participation in a fibrotherapy intervention programme (FTI) and whether SOC among FM patients who changed their coping strategies to problem-oriented coping, increased. The study was conducted among FM female patients who are exposed to security threats in order to examine the coping resources of these patients.

Methods: 96 female patients aged 19-75 diagnosed with FM enrolled in the FTI programme led by Rabbi Firer in Sderot, Israel. Of this sample, 16 were interviewed for the qualitative part.

Results: The quantitative analysis found that there was a change in the level of SOC before and after participation in FTI and that an increasing trend in SOC was observed after participating in FTI, thus, confirming the first hypothesis. Also, a problem-oriented coping pattern emerged after participating in FTI. The data further show that according to the second study hypothesis, among problem-oriented patients, the levels of psychological distress decreased, and the physiological indicators (endurance) increased as well as an improved functional ability. In other words, following FTI, there was a positive improvement in the physical and mental health scores of problem-oriented patients. Participation in FTI has resulted in a comprehensive health improvement among the study sample.

Conclusions: Participation in FTI improved FM patients' SOC and coping strategies and provided them with tools to understand the meaning of the disease and thereby accept and manage it.