International Myopain Society Meeting 2013 Resiliency Abstract

SCIENTIFIC POSTER REPORT #1
Seattletle, WA  August 15-17, 2013

The Lived Experience of Fibromyalgia in the Resilient Older Adult
Linda M Torma, PhD, APRN, GCNS-BC, et al

This study explored the lived experience of resilience (ability to recover & adapt to stress) in older adults living with FM. A study design utilizing a partially structured interview format with follow-up questions was used to collect data. Participants for this study were recruited through community flyers and referrals from primary care and rheumatology providers. A purposive sample of 14 participants who identified themselves as resilient and met the following inclusive study criteria were enrolled in the study:

• > 50 years of age
• Documentation that their FM diagnosis was made utilizing the 1990 ACR FM classification criteria
• English-speaking. Themes and categories were defined from the data and verified by the team of researchers.

Continue here from NFMCPA Advocate Voice Newsletter, August 2013

Analysis of participant interviews revealed 4 inter-related themes that described the essence of resilience in the sample of older persons living with FM: Movement, Engagement, Balance, and Appreciation. Despite significant difficulties with physical function, participants noted that it is important to keep moving and remain engaged in meaningful activity. Strengthening one’s ability to achieve balance, physically and emotionally, was also a dominate theme. Lastly, participants expressed a heightened awareness and appreciation for their body that developed over time.

In conclusion, the results of this study illustrated that care of persons with FM should include strategies that enhance one’s ability to move and engage in meaningful activity, balance demends with abilities, and deepen one’s awareness and appreciation for the body. Resilience should also be studied more extensively in the FM population to determine if it is malleable or predicts adherence or efficacy in FM interventions.

It should be noted that in speaking with Linda Torma, the lead investigator in this study, she was greatly impacted by the depth of despair and frustration faced by study participants during their search for a diagnosis and treatment. Their personal experience with healthcare providers who did not know much about or understand the ramifications of living with FM was both frustrating and painful. The investigators were impressed with the study participants ability to move beyond the negative aspects of their illness into a new reality of living positively with a chronic pain condition. Their resilience was both remarkable and necessary in order for individuals with FM to forge ahead despite the challenges of living with this disorder.