Self-efficacy predicting outcome among fibromyalgia subjects.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined whether pretreatment self-efficacy and pre- to post-treatment changes in self-efficacy predict post-treatment tender point index, disease severity, pain, and physical activity.

METHODS

One hundred nine subjects with fibromyalgia were assessed before and after a 6-week training intervention. Measures included tender point index, physician ratings of disease severity, the visual analog scale for pain, the Physical Activities subscale of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales, and the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale.

RESULTS

Pretreatment self-efficacy significantly predicted post-treatment physical activity, with higher self-efficacy associated with better physical activity outcome. Changes in self-efficacy significantly predicted post-treatment tender point index, disease severity, and pain; improvements in self-efficacy were associated with better outcomes on each measure.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of self-efficacy are associated with better outcome, and may mediate the effectiveness of rehabilitation-based treatment programs for fibromyalgia.