Coping with Fibromyalgia during the COVID-19 pandemic: adjustment and wellbeing

Abstract

Objective: Individuals with pre-existing health conditions may be experiencing particular distress under Covid-19 pandemic-related lifestyle restrictions. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition where symptoms are known to be exacerbated by stress. The present study examined wellbeing, perceived symptom change and coping in individuals with and without FMS during pandemic-related social lockdown in the UK.

Design: Participants with a diagnosis of FMS (N = 390) and a general public sample with no FMS (N = 151) completed questionnaires at three time points.

Main Outcome Measures: BBC Wellbeing Scale, Cognitive-Emotional Regulation Questionnaire measure of coping, perception of extent to which symptoms have worsened or improved over time.

Results: Contrary to expectations, FMS participants reported improved symptoms and wellbeing over the study period. Non-FMS participants experienced worsening health symptoms and no change in wellbeing. Coping strategies involving positive reappraisal, refocussing and planning were positively associated with wellbeing in the FMS group,

Conclusion: The unpredictable symptom profile in FMS, and the regular readjustment to coping this necessitates, may support a form of resilience which has been adaptive during the pandemic. The results have implications for supporting people with FMS, and potentially other chronic conditions, especially at times of stress.