The 4 U’s Rule of Fibromyalgia: A Proposed Model for Fatigue in a Sample of Women with Fibromyalgia: A Qualitative Study

Lilian Velasco-Furlong, Lorena Gutiérrez-Hermoso, Beatriz Mateos-Pintado, Daniel Garvi- de Castro, Sheila Blanco-Rico, Lucía Sanromán-Canelada, Sofía López-Roig, María Ángeles Pastor-Mira and Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente
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Lilian Velasco-Furlong: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Lorena Gutiérrez-Hermoso: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Beatriz Mateos-Pintado: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Daniel Garvi- de Castro: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Sheila Blanco-Rico: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Lucía Sanromán-Canelada: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain
Sofía López-Roig: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Health of Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avinguda de la Universitat d’Elx s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain
María Ángeles Pastor-Mira: Department of Behavioural Sciences and Health of Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avinguda de la Universitat d’Elx s/n, 03202 Elche, Spain
Cecilia Peñacoba-Puente: Department of Psychology of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avenida Atenas s/n, 28922 Alcorcón, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-23

Abstract: Although fatigue usually goes unnoticed, it is a symptom that poses great challenges to patients with fibromyalgia and is a strong limitation. The aim of this study is to identify and describe the variables involved in fatigue in nine different situations of the Goal Pursuit Questionnaire (GPQ) that may occur in the daily lives of women with fibromyalgia, according to an ABC (Antecedents–Behaviors–Consequences) model. This study followed a qualitative descriptive research method and a deductive–inductive hybrid approach based on a phenomenological paradigm. Twenty-six women with fibromyalgia participated in focus group discussions between February and March of 2018. Thematic content analysis was carried out from transcribed verbatim interviews. We identified nine major themes that emerged from the participants’ conversations: self-imposed duties, muscle fatigue, overwhelming feeling of tiredness, difficulty thinking, difficulty concentrating, negative emotions, lifestyle changes, affected everyday activities, and lack of motivation for daily activities and social interactions. We conclude that the ABC model allowed certain elements to emerge regarding the fatigue experience, highlighting its importance as a symptom in fibromyalgia. This additional analysis of the ABC model showed that fatigue can be described through the 4 U’s Rule, which is integrated by these four adjectives: (1) Unpredictable, (2) Uncontrollable, (3) Unseen, and (4) Unintelligible. Identifying these characteristics can contribute to a better understanding of fibromyalgia in addition to better treatment for these patients.

Keywords: fibromyalgia syndrome; fatigue; focus groups; qualitative research; hybrid approach; narrative analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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