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Lagueux É, Masse J, Pagé R, Marin B, Tousignant-Laflamme Y. Management of Chronic Pain by Occupational Therapist: A Description of Practice Profile. Can J Occup Ther 2023; 90:384-394. [PMID: 36935619 PMCID: PMC10647916 DOI: 10.1177/00084174231162709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Background. Current state of knowledge regarding occupational therapy's contribution to chronic pain (CP) management has evolved over the past decade. Yet, has this been transferred to clinical practice? Purpose. Describe the current state of practice of CP management-specific occupational therapy. Method. An online survey was sent to occupational therapists working with CP patients. Findings. Of the 90 respondents (11.9%), 42.2% worked in primary care and 52.2% in secondary care. They reported that their primary role aimed at enabling occupation and providing vocational rehabilitation. The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) (87.8%), semi-structured interview (86.7%), and education on energy conservation (65.6%) and postural hygiene (60.0%) were the most frequently reported conceptual model, assessment, and intervention methods. Implications. Results illustrate the diversity of current occupational therapy practice in CP management and suggest opportunities for improvement to ensure best practices are adopted, by emphasizing an occupation-based vision of health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Émilie Lagueux
- Émilie Lagueux, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1H 5N4. Phone: 819-821-8000.
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López-Martínez AE, Serrano-Ibáñez ER, Solís-Serrano L, Ramírez-Maestre C, Esteve R. Empathy among health science undergraduates toward the diagnosis of chronic pain: An experimental study. NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 2023; 130:105922. [PMID: 37562151 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To analyse the empathetic response of future health professionals toward people diagnosed with chronic pain differentiated by the degree of visibility and credibility of symptoms. METHODS A total of 203 undergraduates performed an experimental task using vignettes depicting different diagnoses of chronic pain and completed questionnaires measuring dispositional and situational empathy. A MANCOVA analysis was conducted. RESULTS The main effects of chronic pain diagnoses did not significantly affect situational empathy (p = .587, η2 = 0.007, d = 0.229). The dispositional empathy variables perspective-taking and personal distress affected the situational empathy scores (p = .002, η2 = 0.072, d = 0.906, and p = .043, η2 = 0.032, d = 0.547, respectively). CONCLUSIONS It would seem appropriate to foster intra-individual empathy factors among health science undergraduates such that they can more readily understand the process of individual adaptation to chronic pain and thus manage it more effectively. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS It would be useful for dispositional empathy to form part of the transversal competences of the training programmes of future health professionals from the beginning of their studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia E López-Martínez
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga-IBIMA (Spain), C/Dr. Ortiz Ramos, 12.29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Elena R Serrano-Ibáñez
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga-IBIMA (Spain), C/Dr. Ortiz Ramos, 12.29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Laura Solís-Serrano
- Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga-IBIMA (Spain), C/Dr. Ortiz Ramos, 12.29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Carmen Ramírez-Maestre
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga-IBIMA (Spain), C/Dr. Ortiz Ramos, 12.29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Rosa Esteve
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Malaga-IBIMA (Spain), C/Dr. Ortiz Ramos, 12.29010 Málaga, Spain.
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Hintz EA. "It's All in Your Head": A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Research About Disenfranchising Talk Experienced by Female Patients with Chronic Overlapping Pain Conditions. HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2023; 38:2501-2515. [PMID: 35694781 DOI: 10.1080/10410236.2022.2081046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between female patients with chronic pain and their medical providers in which providers question or contest the "realness" or nature of their illness experience (e.g. "It's all in your head") have been reported extensively in the extant qualitative literature, particularly for poorly understood ("contested") chronic pain syndromes. Many terms have been offered to describe this talk (e.g. invalidating, dismissive), resulting in conceptual fragmentation and isolated silos of research which together report about one communicative phenomenon. To rectify this fragmentation, the present study offers a meta-synthesis which explores, analyzes, and integrates the findings of 82 qualitative interview studies representing the patient-provider communication experiences of 2,434 female patients living with one or more of 10 chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs). COPCs are costly, gendered, and poorly understood. From the meta-synthesis, three key concepts are identified: (1) Functions of disenfranchising talk: Discrediting, silencing, and stereotyping; (2) Effects of disenfranchising talk: Harmed agency, credibility; access to care, support, and resources; and perception of patient-provider relationship; and (3) Responses to disenfranchising talk: Submission, critique, and resistance. Findings confirm the centrality of gender in the experience of disenfranchising talk, underscore the need to adopt an intersectional approach to the study of this talk along additional axes of race and class, and offer heuristic value toward conceptually unifying research about female COPC patients' experiences of disenfranchising talk from providers.
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Onuegbu C, Harlock J, Griffiths F. Use, characteristics and influence of lay consultation networks on treatment-seeking decisions in slums of Nigeria: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e065152. [PMID: 37192804 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the use, characteristics and influence of lay consultants on treatment-seeking decisions of adults in slums of Nigeria. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey using a pre-piloted questionnaire. SETTINGS Two slum communities in Ibadan city, Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS 480 adults within the working age group (18-64). RESULTS Most respondents (400/480, 83.7%) spoke to at least one lay consultant during their last illness/health concern. In total, 683 lay consultants were contacted; all from personal networks such as family and friends. No respondent listed online network members or platforms. About nine in 10 persons spoke to a lay consultant about an illness/health concern without intending to seek any particular support. However, almost all (680/683, 97%) lay consultants who were contacted provided some form of support. Marital status (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.10 to 3.33) and perceiving that an illness or health concern had some effects on their daily activities (OR=3.25, 95% CI: 1.94 to 5.46) had a significant independent association with speaking to at least one lay consultant. Age had a significant independent association with having lay consultation networks comprising non-family members only (OR=0.95, 95% CI: 0.92 to 0.99) or mixed networks (family and non-family members) (OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.95 to 0.99), rather than family-only networks. Network characteristics influenced individual treatment decisions as participants who contacted networks comprising non-family members only (OR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.67) and dispersed networks (combination of household, neighbourhood and distant network members) (OR=2.04, 95% CI: 1.02 to 4.09) were significantly more likely to use informal than formal healthcare, while controlling for individual characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Health programmes in urban slums should consider engaging community members so, when consulted within their networks, they are able to deliver reliable information about health and treatment-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinwe Onuegbu
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Jenny Harlock
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Frances Griffiths
- Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
- Centre for Health Policy, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Smith L, Croucamp M. Physical activity and quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE 2023; 35:v35i1a14781. [PMID: 38249773 PMCID: PMC10798615 DOI: 10.17159/2078-516x/2023/v35i1a14781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) has been linked to decreased social functioning, poor mental health, and quality of life (QOL). Increased physical functioning and activity can result in improvements in social, mental and overall health, as well as lowered depression and anxiety levels. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine physical activity levels and QOL amongst patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia in the Johannesburg region of South Africa. Methods The research design was cross-sectional. Descriptive and quantitative data were collected. FMS patients (n=38) completed an online questionnaire on the Google Forms platform. The questionnaire was comprised of four components, namely Demographics, the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). During data analysis, descriptive characteristics and correlations were computed. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results Results revealed high FIQR scores (67%) accompanied with low QOL scores (<50% in all domains). There was no correlation between physical activity and FIQR, and physical activity and QOL. Conclusion High scores on the impact of FMS were associated with lower overall QOL scores. However, the relationship between physical activity, and the impact of FMS and QOL remain inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Smith
- Department of Sport and Movement Studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Croucamp
- Department of Sport and Movement Studies in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Arfuch VM, Caballol Angelats R, Aguilar Martín C, Gonçalves AQ, Carrasco-Querol N, González Serra G, Sancho Sol MC, Fusté Anguera I, Friberg E, Berenguera A. Patients' Lived Experience in a Multicomponent Intervention for Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Primary Care: A Qualitative Interview Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13322. [PMID: 36293900 PMCID: PMC9603341 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) disrupts patients' biopsychosocial spheres. A multicomponent intervention (MCI) program, which combined health education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and physical activity, was conducted in South Catalonia's primary care centers with the aim of improving symptom self-management and quality of life. A qualitative interview study was carried out to understand patients' lived experiences during the intervention program. Sampled purposively, 10 patients were interviewed via phone calls and face-to-face. The encounters were audio-recorded, verbatim transcribed, and analyzed through thematic analysis. As a result, four themes emerged: legitimizing fibromyalgia through the MCI, the MCI as a socializing experience, learning how to live with FMS through the MCI, and room for improving the MCI. Participants agreed on the program being an insightful experience that promoted illness knowledge and acceptance and that improved their coping skills and symptom self-management. The inclusion of additional psychological guidance, expressive psychological group therapy, and providing relatives with information were proposed for enhancing the program. Our findings have contributed to gaining insight into the subjective impact of the MCI and identifying new therapeutic targets to tailor the program to patients' needs, which will hopefully increase its effectiveness and improve their quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Mailen Arfuch
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Terres de l’Ebre, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Preventive Medicine and Public Health Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 3 Berzelius väg Street, 6 Floor, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rosa Caballol Angelats
- Centre d’Atenció Primària (CAP) El Temple, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Plaça Carrilet sn., 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Unitat d’Expertesa en Sindromes de Sensibilització Central Terres de l’Ebre, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Carina Aguilar Martín
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Terres de l’Ebre, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Unitat d’Avaluació, Direcció d’Atenció Primària Terres de l’Ebre, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Alessandra Queiroga Gonçalves
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Terres de l’Ebre, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Unitat Docent de Medicina de Família i Comunitària Tortosa-Terres de L‘Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), 44-58 Esplanetes Street, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Noèlia Carrasco-Querol
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Terres de l’Ebre, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Gemma González Serra
- Servei de Rehabilitació i Medicina Física, Hospital de Tortosa Verge de la Cinta, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), 44-58 Esplanetes Street, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Maria Cinta Sancho Sol
- Unitat d’Expertesa en Sindromes de Sensibilització Central Terres de l’Ebre, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Centre de Salut Mental d’Adults (CSMA) de Fundació Pere Mata Terres de l’Ebre, 50 Rambla de Pompeu Fabra, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Immaculada Fusté Anguera
- Centre d’Atenció Primària (CAP) El Temple, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), Plaça Carrilet sn., 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Unitat d’Expertesa en Sindromes de Sensibilització Central Terres de l’Ebre, Gerència Territorial de Terres de l’Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), 20 Cristòfol Colom Avenue, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Emilie Friberg
- Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 3 Berzelius väg Street, 6 Floor, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Berenguera
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Preventive Medicine and Public Health Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Central Research Unit, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol I Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Nursing, Universitat de Girona, Plaça de Sant Domènec, 3, 17004 Girona, Spain
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Galvez-Sánchez CM, Montoro CI. Chronic Pain: Clinical Updates and Perspectives. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11123474. [PMID: 35743542 PMCID: PMC9225290 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11123474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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Brooks BD, Kaniuka AR, Rabon JK, Sirois FM, Hirsch JK. Social Support and Subjective Health in Fibromyalgia: Self-Compassion as a Mediator. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2022; 29:375-383. [PMID: 35001253 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-021-09832-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with fibromyalgia report lower levels of health-related quality of life (HRQL) compared to other chronically ill populations and interpersonal factors (i.e., social support) may influence risk. What is less understood is how intrapersonal factors (i.e., self-compassion) may impact the social support-HRQL linkage. We examined the association between social support and HRQL in a sample of persons with fibromyalgia and tested the potential mediating role of self-compassion. Self-identified adults in the United States with fibromyalgia (N = 508) were recruited from state, regional, and national organizations and support groups and completed an online battery of self-report questionnaires including: Multidimensional Health Profile-Psychosocial Functioning Index, Short-Form 36 Health Survey, and Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form. Individuals with greater subjective social support reported higher levels of self-compassion and, in turn, higher mental HRQL. These findings provide greater information about psychosocial constructs and HRQL and extend our understanding of self-compassion among individuals living with fibromyalgia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron D Brooks
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 West Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA. .,Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Andrea R Kaniuka
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA
| | | | - Fuschia M Sirois
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jameson K Hirsch
- Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
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9
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Brown N. The Social Course of Fibromyalgia: Resisting Processes of Marginalisation. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:333. [PMID: 35010593 PMCID: PMC8751202 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This sociological article reports an empirical study into the lived experience of fibromyalgia. It includes 28 participants (26 women, 2 men) with a formal diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Data collection consisted of the completion of an identity box project and subsequent interviews. Data analysis followed the principles of iterative, inductive, semantic thematic analysis, and led to the identification of four major themes: the role of the social in making sense of the experience, the process of redefining lifegoals, the refusal to accept fibromyalgia as a diagnosis, and the consideration of identifying as a patient. These themes in turn demonstrate four forms of resistance against processes of marginalisation amongst those who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia: (1) the incorporation of societal expectations and norms into their life-stories; (2) the re-making the lifeworld at a cerebral level through redefining reality and creating a new, socially acceptable reality; (3) the active rejection of the fibromyalgia diagnosis; and (4) the employment of active and pro-active countermeasures to assuming the sick role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Brown
- UCL Institute of Education, College London, London WC1H 0AL, UK
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10
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The Impact of a Peer Social Support Network from the Perspective of Women with Fibromyalgia: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182312801. [PMID: 34886527 PMCID: PMC8657284 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Fibromyalgia is a chronic and complex disease whose management by patients requires a high level of commitment. Patient empowerment therefore represents an important milestone in chronic disease treatment and control. We explored the impact of a peer social support network from the perspective of women with fibromyalgia. Methods: A generic qualitative design was proposed for the study, for which women who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia were purposefully selected. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the collected data were thematically analysed. Results: Three key themes emerged regarding the peer social support network: (1) empowerment (facilitating acceptance of the diagnosis and acting as a source of information); (2) effects on well-being and quality of life (attenuated the stigma, improved physical well-being, provided emotional support and was a socialization medium); and (3), valuable aspects (transmitted feelings of being understood and listened to and increased personal feelings of satisfaction). Conclusions: A peer social support network for women with fibromyalgia exerts positive effects on their physical, mental, and social well-being and empowers them to better manage their disease. Healthcare for women with fibromyalgia should include strategies that connect them through peer social support networks.
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Montesó-Curto P, Cubí-Guillen MT, Llàdser Navarro AN, Puig Llobet M, Toussaint L. Family perceptions and experiences of living with patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Disabil Rehabil 2021; 44:5855-5862. [PMID: 34232795 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1948620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the perception of the illness and the experience of the illness for relatives of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This qualitative interpretative study adopted a grounded theory research methodology with a purposive sample. We conducted a focus group with 11 family members of FMS patients. There were six men and five women, five were spouses and six were children (four husbands and one wife, and five daughters and one son). RESULTS Three categories of family perceptions of FMS emerged: (1) manifestations of FMS; (2) FMS is regarded as a psychological problem; (3) FMS interferes with traditional gender roles. Three categories of family members' experience of living with FMS patients were identified: (1) emotional concerns and exhaustion; (2) overprotective family members; and (3) escape coping. CONCLUSIONS Family members feel emotionally burdened, can be overprotective and over-involved and find it difficult to set limits ultimately succumbing to a vicious cycle of caregiving and emotional exhaustion from which they find it difficult to escape. As the perceptions and experiences of family members of FMS patients are not commonly studied, the present findings offer new insights for families and elucidate important points of intervention.Implications for rehabilitationBecause family members tend to dismiss fibromyalgia as a psychological problem for which ignoring or distracting the patient is the best approach to coping, rehabilitation programs should give family members education and training to develop the ability to better understand fibromyalgia and reduce stereotypes about the condition.Rehabilitation programs should work to identify and manage marital and family systems dysfunction that may be interfering with fibromyalgia patients' adjustment and quality of life.Family members often engage in maladaptive escape coping to manage the demands of living with patients with fibromyalgia, and rehabilitation professionals should be ready to engage and refer to allied specialists to assist family members in finding alternatives for more effective coping approaches that improve patient and family mental health and social relations.Rehabilitation programs for fibromyalgia patients should use a gender perspective and emphasize patient and spouse equality in activities of daily living as many patients and family members feel uncomfortable about not fulfilling traditional gender roles.
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The 4 U's Rule of Fibromyalgia: A Proposed Model for Fatigue in a Sample of Women with Fibromyalgia: A Qualitative Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17176224. [PMID: 32867186 PMCID: PMC7504300 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although fatigue usually goes unnoticed, it is a symptom that poses great challenges to patients with fibromyalgia and is a strong limitation. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the variables involved in fatigue in nine different situations of the Goal Pursuit Questionnaire (GPQ) that may occur in the daily lives of women with fibromyalgia, according to an ABC (Antecedents–Behaviors–Consequences) model. This study followed a qualitative descriptive research method and a deductive–inductive hybrid approach based on a phenomenological paradigm. Twenty-six women with fibromyalgia participated in focus group discussions between February and March of 2018. Thematic content analysis was carried out from transcribed verbatim interviews. We identified nine major themes that emerged from the participants’ conversations: self-imposed duties, muscle fatigue, overwhelming feeling of tiredness, difficulty thinking, difficulty concentrating, negative emotions, lifestyle changes, affected everyday activities, and lack of motivation for daily activities and social interactions. We conclude that the ABC model allowed certain elements to emerge regarding the fatigue experience, highlighting its importance as a symptom in fibromyalgia. This additional analysis of the ABC model showed that fatigue can be described through the 4 U’s Rule, which is integrated by these four adjectives: (1) Unpredictable, (2) Uncontrollable, (3) Unseen, and (4) Unintelligible. Identifying these characteristics can contribute to a better understanding of fibromyalgia in addition to better treatment for these patients.
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Roomaney R, Kagee A, Knoll N. Received and perceived support subscales of the Berlin Social Support Scales in women diagnosed with breast cancer attending the breast clinic at Tygerberg hospital: structure and correlates. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1177/0081246319831819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Research in the field of psycho-oncology in South Africa is increasing, and there is a need for validated measures that assess factors associated with cancer, such as social support. The Berlin Social Support Scales are a battery of instruments that measure various types and functions of social support. The measure was originally developed for use among adult cancer patients, and their partners but has also been used among other clinical populations and healthy adults. We investigated the psychometric properties of the English version of the perceived and received sub-scales, Berlin Social Support Scales. Our sample included South African women ( N = 201) who were diagnosed with breast cancer and receiving treatment at a public health care facility. We administered several measures, including a demographic questionnaire, the Berlin Social Support subscales, the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy to participants. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted. Factor analysis resulted in the retention of 17 items that clustered on two factors, namely received support and perceived support. The 17-item version of the Berlin Social Support Scale demonstrated strong reliability and validity in the sample. The two subscales are quick to administer, easy to interpret, and are a reliable measure of social support among breast cancer patients in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashraf Kagee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Nina Knoll
- Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
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Cooper S, Gilbert L. An exploratory study of the experience of fibromyalgia diagnosis in South Africa. Health (London) 2016; 21:337-353. [PMID: 28521648 DOI: 10.1177/1363459316677623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Within the conceptual framework of 'medically-ill-defined' conditions, this article focuses on the experiences of 'diagnosis' through a narrative analysis of fibromyalgia (a chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder) in South Africa. In-depth interviews were used to collect narratives from 15 participants. The findings show how the contested and confusing experience of fibromyalgia diagnosis can be understood, by viewing the interactions that patients have with their practitioners, families, peers and colleagues. The currency of fibromyalgia as a diagnosis and the inequalities present in the South African health care system characterise the experiences of symptom recognition, diagnosis and treatment. The analysis reveals how those living with fibromyalgia search for diagnosis, and struggle to maintain legitimacy for their experience in the complex constellation of porous symptoms that appear infrequently. The findings of this study confirm the existing evidence that shows fibromyalgia to be a challenging illness experience, which is attributed to the lack of clarity and legitimacy, and high contestation that surrounds the condition. Additionally, this study presents the ways that limited access to diagnosis and treatment for fibromyalgia in the South African context shapes this specific illness experience, and the value of using narrative approaches to gain insight into how people live with hidden and poorly understood conditions in this environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvie Cooper
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Leah Gilbert
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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