Larsson A1, Feldthusen C2, Mannerkorpi K1
1University of Gothenburg, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Gothenburg, Sweden, 2University of Gothenburg, Centre for Person-Centered Care (GPCC), Gothenburg, Sweden
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a musculoskeletal disorder with a prevalence of 2% in the general population. FM is a heterogeneous and complex condition, pain is the most prominent symptom and FM is also associated with impaired physical capacity, activity limitations, and fatigue. Regular physical activity is important in FM to prevent deterioration in symptoms, general health and physical capacity. Despite this it appears that managing to exercise independently on a health enhancing level is difficult for most patients.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to gain deeper knowledge of factors promoting physical activity in women with FM.
Methods: The participants were recruited from a cohort of 40 women who had previously (2010-2011) participated in supervised person-centred resistance exercise or relaxation therapy in West Sweden. Inclusion criteria were women with FM according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 criteria.
Interview data was gathered through semistructured individual interviews following an interview guide with open-ended questions. Interviews were analyzed by the methodology for qualitative content analysis.
Results: Fourteen participants were included in the study, age 38-65 years. The results show that regular physical activity was promoted by:
Will to be physically active: The participants described being driven by the will to be physically active. Most of the participants expressed a need to be physically active knowing that it was good for them. Several participants described that the will to be physically active was strengthened by their fear of getting worse. They also expressed that although there was a will and a need to be physically active they had to struggle to keep up motivation.
Adjustment: The participants described a need of adjustment to be able to be physically active. They accentuated the need of support in finding the right level of exercise and they referred to the specific exercises chosen, to the loads and to the pace, they needed support in creating the optimal conditions to be physically active without risking increased pain.
Managing pain: The participants described how they had to relate to and manage their pain and how they had to use different strategies to manage pain during and following physical activity.
Contextual factors: Participants expressed that there were several contextual factors that affected their possibilities of being physically active. It was important for them to find their way, to do something enjoyable. They also accentuated the importance of exercise being accessible and continuous. Several participants who were working expressed that it was difficult to find the time and the energy to be physically active.
Conclusion(s): The women in this study had the will and the need to be physically active knowing it was good for them but they also underlined the importance of support to find their right type and level of exercise and to manage pain during and following exercise.
Implications: Physical activity is challenging for women with fibromyalgia. This study highlights the complexity of factors affecting the ability to be physically active and the importance of professional support emanating from person-centred principles.
Keywords: Physical activity, person-centred, fibromyalgia
Funding acknowledgements: Gothenburg centre for Person-Centred care (GPCC), The Local Research and Development Council, Södra Älvsborg
Purpose: The aim of the study was to gain deeper knowledge of factors promoting physical activity in women with FM.
Methods: The participants were recruited from a cohort of 40 women who had previously (2010-2011) participated in supervised person-centred resistance exercise or relaxation therapy in West Sweden. Inclusion criteria were women with FM according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 1990 criteria.
Interview data was gathered through semistructured individual interviews following an interview guide with open-ended questions. Interviews were analyzed by the methodology for qualitative content analysis.
Results: Fourteen participants were included in the study, age 38-65 years. The results show that regular physical activity was promoted by:
Will to be physically active: The participants described being driven by the will to be physically active. Most of the participants expressed a need to be physically active knowing that it was good for them. Several participants described that the will to be physically active was strengthened by their fear of getting worse. They also expressed that although there was a will and a need to be physically active they had to struggle to keep up motivation.
Adjustment: The participants described a need of adjustment to be able to be physically active. They accentuated the need of support in finding the right level of exercise and they referred to the specific exercises chosen, to the loads and to the pace, they needed support in creating the optimal conditions to be physically active without risking increased pain.
Managing pain: The participants described how they had to relate to and manage their pain and how they had to use different strategies to manage pain during and following physical activity.
Contextual factors: Participants expressed that there were several contextual factors that affected their possibilities of being physically active. It was important for them to find their way, to do something enjoyable. They also accentuated the importance of exercise being accessible and continuous. Several participants who were working expressed that it was difficult to find the time and the energy to be physically active.
Conclusion(s): The women in this study had the will and the need to be physically active knowing it was good for them but they also underlined the importance of support to find their right type and level of exercise and to manage pain during and following exercise.
Implications: Physical activity is challenging for women with fibromyalgia. This study highlights the complexity of factors affecting the ability to be physically active and the importance of professional support emanating from person-centred principles.
Keywords: Physical activity, person-centred, fibromyalgia
Funding acknowledgements: Gothenburg centre for Person-Centred care (GPCC), The Local Research and Development Council, Södra Älvsborg
Topic: Pain & pain management; Rheumatology; Musculoskeletal
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University of Gothenburg
Ethics committee: Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg, Sweden
Ethics number: 2016/060-16
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
