Date Presented 03/27/20
This qualitative study used an online survey of open-ended questions using Qualtrics to explore fibromyalgia patients’ perceptions of alternative treatments to decrease pain and improve function. Participants were recruited from online sources. Qualitative data was analyzed using grounded theory. Multiple researchers and data collection from multiple sources ensured triangulation, rigor, and trustworthiness. This study informs OTs of alternative treatments to help manage this chronic condition.
Primary Author and Speaker: Barbara Kornblau
Additional Authors and Speakers: Debora Oliveira, Sarah Mbiza
Contributing Authors: Reva Forrest, Mackenzie Dummer, Michael Smith, Timothy Southerland
PURPOSE: Individuals with Fibromyalgia live with chronic pain, participation limitations, and in today’s world, decreasing options for pain medication as a treatment. This qualitative study explored perceptions of people with fibromyalgia regarding treatments and alternative strategies that decreases their pain and increases function – specifically, alternative to pain medication. Occupational therapy practitioners may find these alternative strategies helpful to decrease pain and improve participation for clients with fibromyalgia, and promote occupational therapy’s role addressing chronic pain.
DESIGN: This was a qualitative grounded theory study. Following Institutional Review Board approval, and with permission, researchers recruited adult participants who self-identified with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and were members of one of two closed Facebook communities called “Fibro and Pain” and “Pain is Real”, the support group for the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA), or were followers of the NFMCPA Twitter feed. A recruitment message was posted in the two Facebook groups, and tweeted.
METHOD: Participants recruited from NFMCPA sources were presented with a link to an online survey of open-ended questions using Qualtrics, The [DO1] survey of open-ended questions asked participants about alternative strategies they use to cope with chronic pain. Qualitative data was analyzed by multiple researchers, using multiple levels of coding, until saturation was reached. Multiple researchers sharing coding tasks, and data collections from multiple sources ensured triangulation, rigor, and trustworthiness of the data.
RESULTS: A total of 34 females completed this survey. Saturation was reached at participant #13. The following themes emerged from the data when participants were asked about the alternative activities, strategies, supplements, diets, etc. they found helped them to cope with fibromyalgia: rest/relaxation, alternative strategies, such as prayer and stress management, lifestyle changes, food choices, staying active/moving, prescription medications, vitamins, supplements, and OTC remedies, aquatics, and “nothing helps.”
CONCLUSION: This study suggests successful strategies people with fibromyalgia can use to cope with their chronic pain and improve their level of participation and function. It suggests further (1) that alternative treatments merit consideration by people with fibromyalgia who experience pain-related limitations in participation, and (2) alternative treatments demand additional research.
IMPACT STATEMENT: This study provides support for alternative interventions for pain that OT can provide in a world where medications are no longer an option. More research is needed in this area, where OT can exert a powerful influence on policy alternatives that support OT intervention.
References
Foley, G., & Timonen, V. (2015). Using Grounded Theory Method to Capture and Analyze Health Care Experiences. Health services research, 50(4), 1195–1210. doi:10.1111/1475-6773.12275
Goldenberg, D.L., et al. (2016). Opioid use in fibromyalgia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)00102-6/fulltext#sec3.2
Poole, J. L. & Siegel, P. (2017). Effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for adults with fibromyalgia: A systematic review. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2017.023192
Simon, A. U., & Collins, C. E. (2017). Lifestyle redesign® for chronic pain management: A retrospective clinical efficacy study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(4), 1-7. doi:10.5014/ajot.2017.025502
