Distress as a mediator for pain and activities of daily living in older adults with fibromyalgia 2022 Gower et al

Introduction: Pain, distress, and activities of daily living impact the lives of those with chronic pain. This study investigated distress (depressive symptoms, anxiety) on the relationship between pain (intensity and pain interference) and activities of daily living in individuals with fibromyalgia while controlling for age.

Methods: The current cross-sectional investigation focused on data from 123 men and women with fibromyalgia. Pain intensity, pain interference and anxiety were measured on 0-10 Likert type scales from the National Fibromyalgia Assessment Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II. Activities of daily living (basic, instrumental) were measured with the Physical Activity Inventory Scale.

Results: It was hypothesized that the relationships between pain intensity and pain interference and activities of daily living in individuals with fibromyalgia would be mediated by the construct of distress while controlling for age. Mediation significantly occurred in both models as predicted. However, those who were older reported lower levels of pain intensity and distress than their younger counterparts, which may be related to time since diagnosis or other factors.

Discussion: Results of this study suggest that individuals with chronic pain conditions would benefit from treatment options which address distress, specifically depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Open access, https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2022.1033936/full

 

Not sure what's happening with the glut of fibromyalgia papers lately, all basically identical and equally impertinent, but they aren't even bothering to put any effort at all anymore. Phoning in phoning it in.

Are the authors really not aware that their "conclusion" is the current standard and has been for decades? One proclaimed thousands of times by now and failing miserably in real life? Based on the exact same circular reasoning as always? This is not credible, it's borderline Mr Bean level of not being aware of anything, it puts into question the legitimacy of the entire system that sustains this mindless nonsense.