Self-efficacy, pain, and physical activity among fibromyalgia subjects.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-efficacy on self-report pain and physical activities among subjects with fibromyalgia (FM). In addition, descriptive statistics of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS), a measure developed for use with arthritis patients, were reported.

METHODS: Seventy-nine subjects with FM, as classified by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, completed the Visual Analogue Scale for Pain, the AIMS, and the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale. A myalgic score was obtained during a tender point evaluation. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to assess the effect of self-efficacy on self-report pain and physical activities measures after controlling for demographic variables (age, education, and symptom duration), disease severity (myalgic scores), and psychological distress (negative affect from the AIMS).

RESULTS: Higher self-efficacy was associated with less pain and less impairment on the physical activities measure after controlling for demographic and disease severity measures.

CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the unique importance of self-efficacy in understanding pain and physical activities impairment.