TY - JOUR
T1 - Physical Activity and Exercise Experience in Spanish and US Men with Fibromyalgia
T2 - A Qualitative Cross-Cultural Study
AU - Montesó-Curto, Pilar
AU - Toussaint, Loren
AU - Kueny, Angela
AU - Ruschak, Ilga
AU - Lunn, Shannon
AU - Rosselló, Lluís
AU - Campoy, Carme
AU - Clark, Stephanie
AU - Luedtke, Connie
AU - Gonçalves, Alessandra Queiroga
AU - Martín, Carina Aguilar
AU - Vincent, Ann
AU - Mohabbat, Arya B.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - Physical exercise is an indispensable element in the multidisciplinary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The present study examined if men diagnosed with FMS engaged in any type of physical activity or exercise, the perceived effects from exercise, and who specifically recommended exercise. A qualitative cross-cultural study was performed in fibromyalgia clinical units in Spain and the United States. A total of 17 participants, 10 men from Spain and 7 men from the US, were included. In Spain, a focus group was completed in two parts, one month apart in 2018. In the US, five individual interviews and one joint interview with two men were completed in 2018. Three central themes appeared in the qualitative data: (1) Understanding what constitutes physical activity or exercise, (2) Facilitating or discouraging the performance of physical exercise, and (3) Effects of physical activity or exercise on psychological and social symptoms. The actual practice of exercise by patients with FMS is often perceived as leading to pain and fatigue, rather than a treatment facilitator. Physical activity and exercise can provide benefits, including relaxation, socialization, and increased muscle tone. However, minor opioids limit physical activity as they cause addiction, drowsiness, and decrease physical activity in Spanish men. Recommendations in a clinical setting should incorporate exercise as well as physical activity via daily life activities.
AB - Physical exercise is an indispensable element in the multidisciplinary treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The present study examined if men diagnosed with FMS engaged in any type of physical activity or exercise, the perceived effects from exercise, and who specifically recommended exercise. A qualitative cross-cultural study was performed in fibromyalgia clinical units in Spain and the United States. A total of 17 participants, 10 men from Spain and 7 men from the US, were included. In Spain, a focus group was completed in two parts, one month apart in 2018. In the US, five individual interviews and one joint interview with two men were completed in 2018. Three central themes appeared in the qualitative data: (1) Understanding what constitutes physical activity or exercise, (2) Facilitating or discouraging the performance of physical exercise, and (3) Effects of physical activity or exercise on psychological and social symptoms. The actual practice of exercise by patients with FMS is often perceived as leading to pain and fatigue, rather than a treatment facilitator. Physical activity and exercise can provide benefits, including relaxation, socialization, and increased muscle tone. However, minor opioids limit physical activity as they cause addiction, drowsiness, and decrease physical activity in Spanish men. Recommendations in a clinical setting should incorporate exercise as well as physical activity via daily life activities.
KW - exercise
KW - experience
KW - fibromyalgia
KW - men
KW - physical activity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85172694384&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85172694384&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph20186731
DO - 10.3390/ijerph20186731
M3 - Article
C2 - 37754590
AN - SCOPUS:85172694384
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 20
JO - International journal of environmental research and public health
JF - International journal of environmental research and public health
IS - 18
M1 - 6731
ER -