Background & Aims
Fibromyalgia is related with important implications for quality of life (QOL), exerting adverse effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being. Despite advances, effective management of fibromyalgia remains a challenge for both patients and healthcare practitioners. Recent evidence from studies of populations with various chronic diseases suggests that participation in leisure activities (LA) is associated with better self-reported health and may play a protective role in mental health and also development of chronic pain. To our best knowledge, no previous study evaluated whether the practice of LA is associated with decreased impact of fibromyalgia and pain levels among people living with fibromyalgia (PLwF). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the engagement with LA in general, as well as of specific types of LA, with those outcomes.
Methods
This cross-sectional online survey of PLwF was disseminated through social media networks to groups of PLwF. The survey instrument comprised the Leisure and QOL Survey (QVL 80), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAC), several sociodemographic data, and the presence of comorbidities. We evaluated the association of the frequency of engagement with different types of LA with the total impact of fibromyalgia, and the level of pain of participants by means of robust multivariable linear regression. All analyses were adjusted by sex, age, race, marital status, education, level of income, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and nine comorbidities.
Results
In total, 1,729 individuals were included in this study. Among the responders, 1,687 (%) were female. The mean (SD) age was 43 (9.5) years. The median (IQR) pain score was 8 (7-9). The median (IQR) total LA score was 21 (17-27), and the FIQ score had a median of 51 (IQI: 42-59). The range of engagement in LA was ( 95.3%-10.3%). Regarding engagement in different LA, 261 participants participated in arts-related activities at least once a week, while 1,647 engaged in virtual LA at least once a week. Regression analyses depicted relation of LA on pain levels [-0.24 (CI: -0.41 to -0.08), p: 0.005] and FIQ score [-2.15 (CI: -3.0 to -1.33), p < 0.001]. LA encompassing arts, sports, tourism and social interactions were the significant ones.
Conclusions
The engagement in LA emerges as a formidable ally in the battle against fibromyalgia, wielding a tangible impact on both the QOL and pain intensity, as illuminated by our findings. The association between the practice of LA and a significantly reduced impact on the QOL. Notably, leisure pursuits encompassing arts, social interactions, and sports stand out with resounding statistical significance, marking them as potent contributors to improved QOL. Furthermore, our data highlights that tourist-related LA are specifically linked to a reduction in pain levels. In summation, our results provide light on the potential of LA in the management of fibromyalgia.
References
1. Galvez-Sánchez CM, Duschek S, Reyes Del Paso GA. Psychological impact of fibromyalgia: current perspectives. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2019 Feb 13;12:117-127.
2. Fancourt D, Aughterson H, Finn S, Walker E, Steptoe A. How leisure activities affect health: a narrative review and multi-level theoretical framework of mechanisms of action. Lancet Psychiatry. 2021 Apr;8(4):329-339.
Presenting Author
Mariana Suete Guimarães Ruy
Poster Authors
Topics
- Epidemiology