Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
08:33
Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
1.1K
Executive functions and functioning in women with fibromyalgia
Bárbara Thais Veras de Mendonça1, Valter Machado1, Guilherme Gomes Silva1
1Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas, Departamento de Psicologia, Florianópolis SC, Brazil.
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|September 24, 2024
Summary
Fibromyalgia (FM) patients exhibit executive function (EF) deficits impacting daily activities. These cognitive challenges persist even when pain and mood are managed, highlighting the need for comprehensive FM evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition linked to cognitive impairments, specifically in executive functions (EFs).
- Understanding the relationship between EFs and daily functioning in FM is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between executive functions and overall functionality in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
- To determine if cognitive deficits contribute to functional limitations in FM beyond pain, anxiety, and depression.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen women with FM (aged 30–59) underwent comprehensive executive function assessments, including the Digit Span, Five Digit Test, Trail Making Test (TMT), Corsi Block-Tapping Task, Hayling Test (HT), and Verbal Fluency Task.
- Functionality was measured using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, with depression, anxiety, and pain assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Brief Pain Inventory, respectively.
- Statistical analyses controlled for the effects of pain, anxiety, and depression.
Main Results:
- Fibromyalgia patients demonstrated slower response times on the Hayling Test and TMT, with impaired performance on backward Digit Span and Corsi Block-Tapping tasks.
- Correlations were observed between specific EF tasks (Corsi Block-Tapping backward, TMT-B completion time) and functional interference/fatigue.
- An unexpected link was found between errors on the Hayling Test (part B) and workplace interference.
Conclusions:
- Fibromyalgia is associated with reduced efficiency in executive functions like inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, working memory, and processing speed.
- Observed relationships between EFs and functionality suggest cognitive impairments play a role independent of pain, anxiety, and depression.
- Cognitive assessments, particularly EFs, should be integrated into the comprehensive evaluation of fibromyalgia patients to improve functional outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
387
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
387
01:28Menopause
145
Menopause, a natural biological process marking the end of a woman's fertility, typically occurs between the fifth and sixth decade of life. This phase is characterized by the exhaustion of the ovarian follicle pool, leading to less responsive ovaries despite the high levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The consequential decrease in estrogen production results in symptoms like hot flashes, heavy sweating, headaches, hair loss, muscle pains, vaginal...
145
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
334
The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
334
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
178
Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) involves a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medication.
178
01:30Information Processing Approach
31
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is...
31
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
67
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
67