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A preliminary comparative study of emotional processing in women with fibromyalgia syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects
 

West Dorset General Hospital NHS Trust, Southampton University, Dorset Research & Development Support Unit, Poole Hospital NHS Trust 

This study was conducted by Jane Raleigh, Clinical Specialist in Occupational Therapy at West Dorset General Hospital NHS Trust, as a research dissertation for the requirements of an MSC in Rehabilitation Sciences at Southampton University.  Professor Roger Baker, Professor Peter Thomas, Dr Sarah Thomas and Mr Matthew Owens collaborated with her. 

The aims of the study were: 

1.                   To determine if fibromyalgia is associated with emotional processing difficulties.

2.                   To understand how emotional processing relates to anxiety, depression and pain in the different groups.

3.                   To determine concurrent validity of the Emotional Processing Scale in a fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis population.

 52 patients with fibromyalgia, 34 with rheumatoid arthritis and 74 healthy invidivuals were compared on the Emotional Processing Scale, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale, Global Health Status, short form of the Brief Pain Inventory and scales of disability, fatigue and quality of life. 

Fibroymyalgia

Raleigh, J. (2004) A preliminary comparative study of emotional processing in women with fybromyalgia syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects.  MSC thesis, School of Health Professions & Rehabilitation Sciences, Southampton University. 

Raleigh, J., Thomas, S., Baker, R. & Thomas, P.W. (in preparation) Emotional processing and fibromyalgia.