Relationship between changes in coping and treatment outcome in patients
with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Pain, Volume 109, Issue 3, June 2004, Pages 233-241

Warren R. Nielson[*] [a] [b], and Mark P. Jensen [c] [d]

[a] Department of Medicine (Division of Rheumatology), University of
Western Ontario, London, Ont., Canada, N6A 5A5
[b] Beryl and Richard Ivey Rheumatology Day Programs, St Joseph's Health
Care, London, Ont., Canada, N6A 4V2
[c] Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School
of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195-6490, USA
[d] Multidisciplinary Pain Center, University of Washington Medical
Center-Roosevelt, 4245 Roosevelt Way, Northeast Seattle, WA 98105-6920, USA
[*] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1-519-646-6000x61038; fax: +1-519-646-6317
E-Mail: mailto:warren.nielson@sjhc.london.on.ca

Received 26 August 2003; Revised 17 December 2003; accepted 5 January 2004
AIB-16311 Available online 8 March 2004.


Abstract
The present study utilized a sample of 198 individuals with Fibromyalgia
Syndrome (FMS) to examine the association between treatment process
variables (beliefs, coping strategies) and treatment outcomes (pain
severity, activity level, emotional distress and life interference) related
to a 4-week multidisciplinary fibromyalgia treatment program.

Multiple regression analyses were utilized to evaluate these relationships
pretreatment to posttreatment as well as from pretreatment to 3- and
6-month follow-ups.

The results indicated that outcomes were most closely related to: (1) an
increased sense of control over pain, (2) a belief that one is not
necessarily disabled by FM, (3) a belief that pain is not necessarily a
sign of damage, (4) decreased guarding, (5) increased use of exercise, (6)
seeking support from others, (7) activity pacing and (8) use of coping
self-statements.

These findings are consistent with a cognitive-behavioural model of
fibromyalgia, and suggest targets for therapeutic change.

Author Keywords: Fibromyalgia; Treatment; Cognitive-behavioural