Quality of Life and Interventions in People Living With Fibromyaglia [sic] Syndrome

Fibromyalgia is an increasingly common, chronic pain disorder effecting an estimated three to six million people in the United States. This study used a descriptive correlational design to identify the interventions used most frequently by people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) to relieve symptoms, determine the quality of life (QOL) in people with FS, and to examine if a relationship exists between interventions and quality of life. Data were collected from a sample of 49 people with FS with 35 subjects responding to the questionnaire. The questionnaire included a 9 item section on demographic information, a 16 item section on interventions utilized to relieve FS symptoms, and a 35 item quality of life (QOL) scale. The QOL scale included subscales on physical well-being, psychological well-being, social well-being, and spiritual wellbeing. Eighty two percent of the respondents were educated regarding FS and the majority of people utilized walking (74.3%) and support groups (74.3%) most frequently to relieve FS symptoms. The mean overall QOL score, out of a possible 350 (highest QOL) was 152.40. The overall mean for each subscale was 33 .94 out of a total possible 100 for physical well-being, 48.51 out of 100 for psychological well-being, 31.31 out of 80 for social well-being, and 38.63 out of 70 for spiritual well-being. No correlation was found to exist between the total number of interventions utilized to relieve FS symptoms and QOL. Several interventions: aerobics, stretching/flexibility, use of no medications, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, use of relaxation techniques, and use of counseling had significant influence on quality of life. Length of time since diagnosis, marital status, amount of education, work status, and children also had significant influence on quality of life. Identifying the interventions used most frequently to relieve FS symptoms, the quality of life in people with FS, and the correlation that exist between interventions and quality of life, can lead to a better sense of direction in beginning appropriate management of FS