Relationship between left/right judgment task reaction time and clinical and psycho-affective measures in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

BackgroundThe relationship between reaction time on the left/right judgment task and clinical psycho-affective measures is unknown in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between reaction time on the left/right judgment task and clinical and psycho-affective measures in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.Materials and Methods113 women with fibromyalgia syndrome were recruited. All participants underwent assessment using the left/right judgment task, administered via the Recognise™ application. Kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing were assessed using Tampa Scale Kinesiophobia, and Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Functional health status was assessed with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, pain intensity with Visual Analog Scale, central sensitization with Central Sensitization Inventory. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to assess associations between reaction time and clinical and psycho-affective measures. Finally, exploration stepwise multiple linear regression performed to identify predictors of FIQ.ResultsThe results showed a positive association of higher values of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire with left shoulder reaction time (β = 0.80; CI 95% 0.74 to 0.97; p = 0.009), left cervical reaction time (β = 8.41; CI 95% 3.85 to 12.96; p = 0.001), left hand reaction time (β = 0.11; CI 95% 0.10 to 0.21; p = 0.013), left low back reaction time (β = 7.7; CI 95% 7.1 to 12.5; p = 0.034) and right low back reaction time (β = 8.3; CI 95% 3.6 to 15.0; p = 0.016), with the regression model explaining 16% (R² = 0.16). For correlations showed an association with Pain Catastrophizing Scale and left cervical (r = 0.23, p = 0.011).ConclusionIn this exploratory cross-sectional study, there was a positive association between Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and reaction time in specific body segments (left shoulder, left cervical, left hand, left low back, and right low back) and low to moderate correlation between longer reaction on the left/right judgment task and poorer clinical and psycho-affective measures in women with fibromyalgia syndrome.