You can watch the video or read the transcript below.
We all know that when we are in pain it has an impact on our ability to function well. People with Fibromyalgia usually live in constant pain as just one of their symptoms.
The study - Task interference and distraction efficacy in patients with fibromyalgia: an experimental investigation - was conducted at the Institute for Health and Behaviour, INSIDE, University of Luxembourg and printed in Ovid in June 2018.
All people who participated in the study experienced the pain stimulus as less intense when directing attention away from the pain than when focusing on the pain. So distracting themselves from the pain actually lessened the pain.
This is what I have always thought and why I spend so much time researching on the computer, reading, watching television and drawing. When I do these things the pain recedes and it is not in the forefront of my awareness.
The actual task performance of patients with Fibromyalgia (FM) in the study was slower than the task performance of the healthy control group. (as I would expect)
In contrast to what researchers thought, patients with FM and healthy volunteers did not differ in the effect or efficacy of the distraction.
In conclusion, the study reported that they support contemporary theories claiming that attention modulates the experience of pain and vice versa. However, no evidence was found for an altered attentional processing of pain in patients with FM.
So using distraction in whatever form it takes is a valid tool for coping with FM pain. Do you agree that distraction helps in coping with pain? So far 7 people have commented and said that distraction does help them cope with the pain of fibromyalgia... what about you?
I totally agree. Distraction is a great way to cope with pain. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate on other things but escaping from reality does really help to forget your suffering. I shared on Pinterest. I have been loving your posts lately! x
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirsten, so nice to hear from you. Yes I like escaping into books especially as you go into another world, Thanks for sharing on pinterest too, much appreciated.
DeleteIt might for a short time. But you with ppl like me with FM, my concentration is crushed because of this.. I could only pay attention to an activity for a short time... and if it's a physical activity, FM people can only stand, sit, for only so long and if you want them to come back the next day.. You better check if they can move.
ReplyDeleteOH! absintheminded, so agree. I have to move often or I seize up and if I do too many repetitive movements or stand for too long I am worse for the next two days. Walking for about 15 minutes is my good daily exercise ( actually every second day.) I definitely pace my self by reading for about half an hour (distraction) and then doing some housework inbetween. Anything more physical than that is not possible and the house work has deteriorated too much less than before I had Fibromyalgia. How about you?
DeleteI think distraction helps me deal with pain. Not always but it does help.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear from you Amanda. Yes I also think it doesn't work all the time for me. It seems to work unless the pain is extree though.
DeleteAbsolutely! Distraction. "Passive distraction", I have a hard time 'focusing' when in severe pain. I often tell my husband to stop talking (Ha! He doesn't take it personally!) to me so I can zone out on a TV program, color book, puzzle book, or game on my iPad.
ReplyDeleteOMG! You sound exactly like me - passive distraction and can only focus on one thing at a time or life becomes very annoying. I think it's because we already have one thing happening - the damn pain!
DeleteI've been using a lot of meditation music lately to help with distraction. The soothing sounds of nature have been very helpful.
ReplyDeleteOh Pamela that's a great idea. I'm definitely digging out my old tapes.
DeleteOh yes!! My personal go-to is to sing. Takes me out of the overwhelming moments.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely idea!
DeleteI agree, it does help at times. Shared ♥
ReplyDeleteThanks for the share Dee.
DeleteI think it helps a little. I spend a lot of time on the computer or phone and play a lot of Candy Crush and trivia quizz games. Distraction can be a blessing instead of a curse in this case!
ReplyDeleteHi Glenys. Thanks so much for sharing what you do to help distract yourself from the pain of fibromyalgia.
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