TY - JOUR

T1 - Are the changes in observed functioning after multi-disciplinary rehabilitation of patients with fibromyalgia associated with changes in pain self-efficacy?

AU - Rasmussen, Marianne Uggen

AU - Amris, Kirstine

AU - Rydahl-Hansen, Susan

AU - Danneskiold-Samsoe, Bente

AU - Mortensen, Erik Lykke

AU - Christensen, Robin

AU - H Sjölund, Bengt

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that change in pain self-efficacy is associated with observed and self-reported activity, pain intensity, catastrophizing, and quality of life after multi-disciplinary rehabilitation of fibromyalgia patients.DESIGN: In-depth analyses of secondary outcomes of a randomized-controlled trial.SUBJECTS: Women (N = 187) with fibromyalgia.METHODS: Outcomes were Pain Self-Efficacy, Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), SF-36 Physical Function (SF-36-PF), pain intensity, and SF-36 Mental Composite Score (SF-36-MCS) to assess quality of life and pain catastrophizing. Individual and group associations between outcomes were examined.RESULTS: Individual changes in pain self-efficacy were not associated with changes in observed activity: AMPS motor (rs = 0.08, p = 0.27) and process (rs = 0.12, p = 0.11), not even in those patients with a clinically relevant improvement in observed functioning (38.5%), and only weakly or moderatly with changes in SF-36-PF; (rs = 0.31, p < 0.0001), SF-36-MSC; (rs = 0.41, p < 0.0001), and pain catastrophizing (rs = -0.31, p < 0.0001). No differences in pain self-efficacy were observed between the rehabilitated group and controls (difference: 1.61; 95% CI: -0.84 to 4.06; p = 0.24). However, a subgroup (34%) had a clinically relevant improvement in pain self-efficacy. This group was younger (mean age 41.4 vs. 45.8, p = 0.01), more recently diagnosed (1.8 vs. 2.8 years, p = 0.003), but had an unresolved welfare situation (59% vs. 40%, p = 0.02).CONCLUSION: The main hypothesis was falsified, as there was no association between pain self-efficacy and actual performance of activity. The relation to functioning may be limited to perceived, cognitive-emotional aspects, as indicated by the weak to moderate correlations to the self-reported measures. Implications for Rehabilitation Improvement in observed activity post multi-disciplinary rehabilitation was not associated with change in pain self-efficacy. Patients performed better after rehabilitation, but did not perceive to have improved their capacity. The relationship between pain self-efficacy and functioning may be limited to cognitive-emotional aspects rather than actual activity. Both observational and self-reported measures should be included in evaluating outcomes of rehabilitation for patients with fibromyalgia.

AB - OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that change in pain self-efficacy is associated with observed and self-reported activity, pain intensity, catastrophizing, and quality of life after multi-disciplinary rehabilitation of fibromyalgia patients.DESIGN: In-depth analyses of secondary outcomes of a randomized-controlled trial.SUBJECTS: Women (N = 187) with fibromyalgia.METHODS: Outcomes were Pain Self-Efficacy, Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), SF-36 Physical Function (SF-36-PF), pain intensity, and SF-36 Mental Composite Score (SF-36-MCS) to assess quality of life and pain catastrophizing. Individual and group associations between outcomes were examined.RESULTS: Individual changes in pain self-efficacy were not associated with changes in observed activity: AMPS motor (rs = 0.08, p = 0.27) and process (rs = 0.12, p = 0.11), not even in those patients with a clinically relevant improvement in observed functioning (38.5%), and only weakly or moderatly with changes in SF-36-PF; (rs = 0.31, p < 0.0001), SF-36-MSC; (rs = 0.41, p < 0.0001), and pain catastrophizing (rs = -0.31, p < 0.0001). No differences in pain self-efficacy were observed between the rehabilitated group and controls (difference: 1.61; 95% CI: -0.84 to 4.06; p = 0.24). However, a subgroup (34%) had a clinically relevant improvement in pain self-efficacy. This group was younger (mean age 41.4 vs. 45.8, p = 0.01), more recently diagnosed (1.8 vs. 2.8 years, p = 0.003), but had an unresolved welfare situation (59% vs. 40%, p = 0.02).CONCLUSION: The main hypothesis was falsified, as there was no association between pain self-efficacy and actual performance of activity. The relation to functioning may be limited to perceived, cognitive-emotional aspects, as indicated by the weak to moderate correlations to the self-reported measures. Implications for Rehabilitation Improvement in observed activity post multi-disciplinary rehabilitation was not associated with change in pain self-efficacy. Patients performed better after rehabilitation, but did not perceive to have improved their capacity. The relationship between pain self-efficacy and functioning may be limited to cognitive-emotional aspects rather than actual activity. Both observational and self-reported measures should be included in evaluating outcomes of rehabilitation for patients with fibromyalgia.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2016.1211179

DO - 10.1080/09638288.2016.1211179

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 27632051

VL - 39

SP - 1744

EP - 1752

JO - Disability and Rehabilitation

JF - Disability and Rehabilitation

SN - 0963-8288

IS - 17

ER -