Behavioral and Representational Components of “Hyperactivity” in Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients

ABSTRACT

Hyperactive premorbid lifestyle is frequently reported by fibromyalgia patients. The present study investigates the original assumption that hyperactive lifestyle could be viewed as a two-sided concept, with a representational side (one's own attitude toward activities) and a behavioural one (effective engagement in many activities). Twenty-four patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia were recruited together with their significant others [SOs]. A group of 24 healthy control participants was matched with the fibromyalgia group for gender, age, educational level, and type of profession. The aims of the study were to (1) compare ratings of fibromyalgia patients and SOs, and (2) compare ratings of patients and controls on past and present behavioral and representational components of hyperactivity. No differences were observed between patients and SOs. For the comparison between patients and controls, patients scored significantly higher on representational components of past hyperactivity, but lower on representational components of current hyperactivity. For past behavioral hyperactivity, patients and controls did not differ, except that patients had less time devoted to resting activities and sleep. The discussion emphasises the need for a systematic assessment of both representational and behavioral components of hyperactivity and argues for a better identification of related pathogenic mechanisms.

KEYWORDS. :

• Fibromyalgia
• chronic pain
• hyperactivity
• belief
• behavior

Notes

a For convenience, only the term “hyperactivity” will be further used in this paper, given it is closer to patient's and professional's words.