Exploring perceived occupational balance in women with fibromyalgia. A descriptive study

People with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia may experience occupational limitations and imbalances in their basic and instrumental occupations of daily living, leisure, work, and social participation.

To describe occupational balance in persons with fibromyalgia and to analyze whether it is associated with self-reported disability and self-efficacy to manage symptoms.

A cross-sectional study was carried out. Individuals with fibromyalgia were invited to participate. Occupational balance was assessed with the Occupational Balance Questionnaire; self-reported disability was assessed with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, WHODAS 2.0-12; and self-efficacy was evaluated with the 8-item version of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression with a forward stepwise procedure.

One hundred women with fibromyalgia were included. Occupational balance was 26.96 ± 12.09; however, scores differed between the mild disability group and the moderate disability group (33.11 ± 9.99 vs. 20.29 ± 10.61, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that self-reported disability and self-reported pain management explained 58.1% of the variance in occupational balance.

Women with fibromyalgia showed low occupational balance. Self-reported disability and self-reported pain management were associated with occupational balance.

Occupational therapy practitioners can design intervention programs focussing on occupational balance and self-efficacy to manage symptoms.