Relationship between Physical Activity and Fibromyalgia Syndrome Symptoms in Women: The Mediating Role of Distress Tolerance

Authors

1 MS in Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Eslamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Eslamshahr, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Abhar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Abhar, Iran.

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical activity and symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome in women, examining the mediating role of distress tolerance.
Methods: This research was applied in purpose and adopted a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population comprised all women diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome who visited clinics in Tehran during the autumn of 2024. A total of 270 participants were selected through convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (Bennett et al., 2009), the health-promoting lifestyle profile (Walker et al., 1987), and the Distress Tolerance Scale (Simons & Gaher, 2005). Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling.
Results: Results indicated that fibromyalgia symptoms were significantly predicted by physical activity (β = -0.318, P=0.001) and distress tolerance (β = -0.355, p = 0.001). Additionally, physical activity had a significant indirect effect on fibromyalgia symptoms through the mediation of distress tolerance (β = -0.144, P=0.001).
Conclusion: The structural equation model demonstrated that distress tolerance serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between physical activity and the reduction of fibromyalgia symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of addressing psychological factors such as distress tolerance in physical activity-based therapeutic and rehabilitation programs to better manage fibromyalgia.
 

Keywords

References

  1. Al-Athari Y, Mahawish M. Fibromyalgia: A review. World Family Medicine. 2024;22(3):52–6. https://doi.org/10.5742/mewfm.2024.95257627
  2. Banfi G, Diani M, Pigatto PD, Reali E. T cell subpopulations in the physiopathology of fibromyalgia: evidence and perspectives. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(4):1186. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21041186
  3. Cameron EC, Hemingway SL. Cannabinoids for fibromyalgia pain: a critical review of recent studies (2015–2019). J Cannabis Res. 2020;2(1):19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-020-00024-2
  4. Siracusa R, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S, Impellizzeri D. Fibromyalgia: pathogenesis, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options update. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(8):3891. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22083891
  5. Wolfe F, Walitt B, Perrot S, Rasker JJ, Häuser W. Fibromyalgia diagnosis and biased assessment: sex, prevalence and bias. PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0203755. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203755
  6. Sarzi-Puttini P, Giorgi V, Marotto D, Atzeni F. Fibromyalgia: an update on clinical characteristics, aetiopathogenesis and treatment. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2020;16(11):645–60. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41584-020-00506-w
  7. Busch AJ, Webber SC, Brachaniec M, Bidonde J, Bello-Haas VD, Danyliw AD, et al. Exercise therapy for fibromyalgia. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2011;15(5):358–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-011-0214-2
  8. Sauch Valmaña G, Vidal-Alaball J, Poch PR, Peña JM, Panadés Zafra R, Cantero Gómez FX, et al. Effects of a physical exercise program on patients affected with fibromyalgia. J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11.

https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720965071

  1. Alvarez MC, Albuquerque MLL, Neiva HP, Cid L, Rodrigues F, Teixeira DS, et al. Differences between Portuguese and Brazilian patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: exploring the associations across age, time of diagnosis, and fatigue-related symptoms. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(4):322. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57040322
  2. Aftab R, Shams A. Relationship between integrated self-knowledge and resilience with anxiety of being infected by COVID-19: the mediating role of intolerance of ambiguity, worry, and physical activity. Sport Psychol Stud. 2020;9(32):201–26. In Persian https://doi.org/10.22089/spsyj.2020.9010.1975
  3. Azarnive M, Tavakoli A. Relationship between levels of physical activity with premenstrual syndrome among female university students. Avicenna J Nurs Midwifery Care. 2016;24(2):68–75. https://doi.org/10.20286/nmj-24021
  4. Simons JS, Gaher RM. The Distress Tolerance Scale: development and validation of a self-report measure. Motiv Emot. 2005;29(2):83–102. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-04036-002.
  5. Anestis MD, Selby EA, Fink EL, Joiner TE. The multifaceted role of distress tolerance in dysregulated eating behaviors. Int J Eat Disord. 2007;40(8):718–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.20471
  6. Zvolensky MJ, Vujanovic AA, Bernstein A, Leyro T. Distress tolerance: theory, measurement, and relations to psychopathology. Curr Dir Psychol Sci. 2010;19(6):406–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721410388642
  7. Rogers AH, Bakhshaie J, Mayorga NA, Ditre JW, Zvolensky MJ. Distress tolerance and pain experience among young adults. Psychol Health Med. 2018;23(10):1231–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2018.1454598
  8. McHugh RK, Kneeland ET, Edwards RR, Jamison R, Weiss RD. Pain catastrophizing and distress intolerance: prediction of pain and emotional stress reactivity. J Behav Med. 2020;43(4):623–9.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-019-00086-5

  1. Babayie K, Abdolhoseini A, Saydi Z, Mousavi S. Relationship between physical concern and anxiety sensitivity in females with panic disorder: the moderating role of distress tolerance. Int J Appl Behav Sci. 2023;10(4):13–20. https://doi.org/10.22037/ijabs.v10i4.44513
  2. Wright LJ, Veldhuijzen van Zanten JJCS, Williams SE. Examining the associations between physical activity, self-esteem, perceived stress, and internalizing symptoms among older adolescents. J Adolesc. 2023;95(6):1274–87. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12201
  3. Borges A, Uebelacker L, Brown R, Price L, Abrantes A. Effects of distress intolerance and rating of perceived exertion on changes in mood and anxiety following aerobic exercise among treatment-seeking smokers. Psychol Health Med. 2022;28:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2022.2083201
  4. Kline RB. Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. 4th ed. New York: Guilford Press; 2016.
  5. Bennett RM, Friend R, Jones KD, Ward R, Han BK, Ross RL. The revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR): validation and psychometric properties. Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(4):R120. https://doi.org/10.1186/ar2783
  6. Mobini M, Mohammadpour R, Elyasi F, Hosseinian A, Abbaspour S. Validity and reliability of the Persian version of revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire in Iranian patients with fibromyalgia. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci. 2016;25(133):119–27. In Persian
  7. Walker SN, Sechrist KR, Pender NJ. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile: development and psychometric characteristics. Nurs Res. 1987;36(2):76–81.
  8. Mohammadi Zeidi I, Pakpour Hajiagha A, Mohammadi Zeidi B. Reliability and validity of Persian version of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci. 2011;20(1):102–13. In Persian
  9. Yang H, Ma Y, Wang Y, Fu C, Liu W, Li W. Association between physical activity and risk of premenstrual syndrome among female college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Womens Health. 2024;24(1):307. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03147-3
  10. Yesildere Saglam H, Orsal O. Effect of exercise on premenstrual symptoms: a systematic review. Complement Ther Med. 2020;48:102272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102272
  11. Modzelewski S, Oracz A, Żukow X, Iłendo K, Śledzikowka Z, Waszkiewicz N. Premenstrual syndrome: new insights into etiology and review of treatment methods. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1363875. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1363875 .
  12. Tan L, Cicuttini FM, Fairley J, Romero L, Estee M, Hussain SM, Urquhart DM. Does aerobic exercise affect pain sensitisation in individuals with musculoskeletal pain? A systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-022-05047-9
  13. Taheri Z, Mahvi Shirazi M. Investigating the relationship between marriage expectations and tolerance of distress with marital adjustment in women. Women Stud. 2019;10(27):99–116. In Persian
  14. Maffei ME. Fibromyalgia: recent advances in diagnosis, classification, pharmacotherapy and alternative remedies. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(21):7877. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21217877
Sports Psychology
Volume 16, Issue 2
2024
Pages 278-291

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 02 February 1403
  • Revise Date: 28 April 1403
  • Accept Date: 01 September 1403

Share

How to cite

Statistics