Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify patients' perceptions of the role and benefits of exercise in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). DESIGN: A postal questionnaire was sent to all 225 members of the Northern Ireland Fibromyalgia Support Group. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions and was sub-divided into four sections: (1) background information; (2) previous treatment; (3) opinions on the role of exercise in FMS and (4) current participation in, and barriers to, exercise. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A response rate of 51.1% (115/225) was achieved. Forty nine percent (57) of respondents were receiving FMS-associated disability benefits and 13% (15) were working full-time. All reported previous treatment for FMS. Ninety-six (84%) had received medication and 82 (71%) exercise-based therapy. Just over half (42/82) of those who had participated in exercise therapy reported it to be an effective management strategy. Two thirds (48/71) of those who used bedrest, and over half (52/96) of those who used medications reported these interventions to be effective. Eighty-two per cent (94) 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that exercise improved fitness and 60% (69) 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that exercise increased feelings of well-being, but only 13.9% (16) reported that it reduced their pain. The most commonly reported barriers to exercise were fatigue (85%, 98) and pain (73%, 84). CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy is a common treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome, but while respondents accepted its general health benefits, the vast majority did not report that it reduced their pain.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 98-107 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Musculoskeletal Care |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2003 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rheumatology
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation
- Nursing (miscellaneous)
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
- Chiropractics
Cite this
Patients' perceptions of exercise therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome : a survey. / McVeigh, J. G.; Lucas, A.; Hurley, D. A.; Basford, J. R.; Baxter, G. D.
In: Musculoskeletal Care, Vol. 1, No. 2, 09.2003, p. 98-107.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Patients' perceptions of exercise therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome
T2 - a survey.
AU - McVeigh, J. G.
AU - Lucas, A.
AU - Hurley, D. A.
AU - Basford, J. R.
AU - Baxter, G. D.
PY - 2003/9
Y1 - 2003/9
N2 - OBJECTIVE: To identify patients' perceptions of the role and benefits of exercise in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). DESIGN: A postal questionnaire was sent to all 225 members of the Northern Ireland Fibromyalgia Support Group. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions and was sub-divided into four sections: (1) background information; (2) previous treatment; (3) opinions on the role of exercise in FMS and (4) current participation in, and barriers to, exercise. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A response rate of 51.1% (115/225) was achieved. Forty nine percent (57) of respondents were receiving FMS-associated disability benefits and 13% (15) were working full-time. All reported previous treatment for FMS. Ninety-six (84%) had received medication and 82 (71%) exercise-based therapy. Just over half (42/82) of those who had participated in exercise therapy reported it to be an effective management strategy. Two thirds (48/71) of those who used bedrest, and over half (52/96) of those who used medications reported these interventions to be effective. Eighty-two per cent (94) 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that exercise improved fitness and 60% (69) 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that exercise increased feelings of well-being, but only 13.9% (16) reported that it reduced their pain. The most commonly reported barriers to exercise were fatigue (85%, 98) and pain (73%, 84). CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy is a common treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome, but while respondents accepted its general health benefits, the vast majority did not report that it reduced their pain.
AB - OBJECTIVE: To identify patients' perceptions of the role and benefits of exercise in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). DESIGN: A postal questionnaire was sent to all 225 members of the Northern Ireland Fibromyalgia Support Group. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions and was sub-divided into four sections: (1) background information; (2) previous treatment; (3) opinions on the role of exercise in FMS and (4) current participation in, and barriers to, exercise. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A response rate of 51.1% (115/225) was achieved. Forty nine percent (57) of respondents were receiving FMS-associated disability benefits and 13% (15) were working full-time. All reported previous treatment for FMS. Ninety-six (84%) had received medication and 82 (71%) exercise-based therapy. Just over half (42/82) of those who had participated in exercise therapy reported it to be an effective management strategy. Two thirds (48/71) of those who used bedrest, and over half (52/96) of those who used medications reported these interventions to be effective. Eighty-two per cent (94) 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that exercise improved fitness and 60% (69) 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that exercise increased feelings of well-being, but only 13.9% (16) reported that it reduced their pain. The most commonly reported barriers to exercise were fatigue (85%, 98) and pain (73%, 84). CONCLUSION: Exercise therapy is a common treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome, but while respondents accepted its general health benefits, the vast majority did not report that it reduced their pain.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=32744455883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=32744455883&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/msc.45
DO - 10.1002/msc.45
M3 - Article
C2 - 20217670
AN - SCOPUS:32744455883
VL - 1
SP - 98
EP - 107
JO - Practice Development in Health Care
JF - Practice Development in Health Care
SN - 1475-9861
IS - 2
ER -