Physical and Psychological Variables That Influence Pain in Patients With Fibromyalgia

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of chronic pain. Its etiology is unknown and treatment is not well defined. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of specific variables on pain in 107 women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: Data collection included two pain measurements administered by the researcher, four survey questionnaires self-administered by the participants (measuring activity, fatigue, depression, and demographic data), and three measures of physical fitness for flexibility, strength, and endurance. FINDINGS: Fatigue, pelvic pain, and physical trauma explained 23% of the variance in sensory pain; activity, depression, and pelvic pain explained 23% of affective pain; and a flare-up of symptoms and depression explained 25% of the intensity of pain experienced by the participants. CONCLUSION: Nurses should consider decreasing depression and fatigue and increasing activity so that fibromyalgia pain may be lessened during care.