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Exploring the Relationship between Fibromyalgia-Related Fatigue, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life

Author

Listed:
  • Marcos C. Alvarez

    (Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Maria Luiza L. Albuquerque

    (Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Henrique P. Neiva

    (Department of Sport Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
    Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Trás os Montes and Alto Douro University, 5000-558 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Luis Cid

    (Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Trás os Montes and Alto Douro University, 5000-558 Vila Real, Portugal
    Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic of Santarém (ESDRM-IPSantarém), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
    Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2400-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Filipe Rodrigues

    (Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2400-901 Leiria, Portugal
    ESECS—Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Diogo S. Teixeira

    (Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Lusófona University (ULHT/FEFD), 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
    Research Center in Sport, Physical Education, and Exercise and Health (CIDEFES), 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Rui Matos

    (Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2400-901 Leiria, Portugal
    ESECS—Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Raúl Antunes

    (Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2400-901 Leiria, Portugal
    ESECS—Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal
    Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), 2415-396 Leiria, Portugal)

  • Verónica Morales-Sánchez

    (Department of Social Psychology, Social Work, Social Anthropology and East Asian Studies, Faculty of Psychology, Malaga University, 29003 Malaga, Spain)

  • Diogo Monteiro

    (Research Center in Sport, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Trás os Montes and Alto Douro University, 5000-558 Vila Real, Portugal
    Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2400-901 Leiria, Portugal
    ESECS—Polytechnic of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal)

Abstract

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are varied, including general muscle pain and pain at specific points (also called tender points), excessive fatigue, anxiety, depression, and some psychological problems that can have a negative impact on quality of life. Physical activity is a widely used option by health professionals to alleviate the effects of this syndrome. However, there is no clear information on the possible mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between fibromyalgia-related fatigue and quality of life. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between fibromyalgia-related fatigue and quality of life, and to investigate the mediating role of physical activity in patients with this syndrome. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 237 Portuguese women aged 28 to 75 years (M = 49.12; SD ± 8.87) and 117 Brazilian women aged 20 to 69 years (M = 46.72; SD ± 8.38) were recruited to participate in this study. These patients completed three valid and reliable questionnaires related to the assessment of fibromyalgia-related fatigue (MDF-Fibro-17), physical activity (IPAQ), and quality of life (SF-36). Results: Both samples had scores above the midpoint for all dimensions of fibromyalgia-related fatigue and scores below the midpoint for quality of life. Physical activity had no mediating effect in either sample, as the total indirect effect was not significant. Conclusions: Physical activity does not mediate the relationship between fatigue and quality of life. However, the results also show that the fatigue dimensions associated with fibromyalgia had a negative and significant association with physical and mental health indicators in both samples. Thus, patients with FM with higher scores on fatigue-related symptoms might suffer more from physical and mental health, both of which are related to quality of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Marcos C. Alvarez & Maria Luiza L. Albuquerque & Henrique P. Neiva & Luis Cid & Filipe Rodrigues & Diogo S. Teixeira & Rui Matos & Raúl Antunes & Verónica Morales-Sánchez & Diogo Monteiro, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship between Fibromyalgia-Related Fatigue, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4870-:d:795670
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Carine Romane Audoux & Cecilia Estrada-Barranco & Oliver Martínez-Pozas & Rodrigo Gozalo-Pascual & Juan Montaño-Ocaña & David García-Jiménez & Gonzalo Vicente de Frutos & Elena Cabezas-Yagüe & Eleuter, 2023. "What Concept of Manual Therapy Is More Effective to Improve Health Status in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome? A Study Protocol with Preliminary Results," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Ángel Denche-Zamorano & Sabina Barrios-Fernandez & María Mendoza-Muñoz & Jorge Carlos-Vivas & Alejandro Vega-Muñoz & Daniel Collado-Mateo & Pedro R. Olivares & José Carmelo Adsuar, 2023. "Fibromyalgia, Pain, and Physical Activity: A Bibliometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-15, January.

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