High Levels of Empathic Concern in Fibromyalgia Patients

Altos niveles de preocupación empática en pacientes con fibromialgia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17981/JACN.2.2.2021.04

Keywords:

Central Sensitivity Syndromes, empathic concern, Empathy, Fantasy, Fibromyalgia, Personal distress

Abstract

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome that is characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, and sleep, cognitive and mood disorders. From a clinical standpoint, these patients have excessive concern for others, which is related to their empathic capacity. There are few studies on social cognition in FM.

Materials and Methods: The relationship between FM and empathy was studied in 22 adults with FM. Instruments: Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI).

Results: High scores were observed in all of the domains of empathy. Relationships were found indicating that: 1) the lower the fantasy, the greater the overall impact of FM; 2) the greater the personal distress, the greater the FM symptomatology.

Conclusions: People with FM present high empathic capacity; and empathic concern stands out as a primary dimension of empathy. Fantasy seems to be a buffer in FM. High levels of personal distress are associated with increased symptomatology of Fibromyalgia.

 

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Published

2022-01-21

How to Cite

Leyton-Hernández, D., & Vales-Motta, L.-H. (2022). High Levels of Empathic Concern in Fibromyalgia Patients: Altos niveles de preocupación empática en pacientes con fibromialgia. Journal of Applied Cognitive Neuroscience, 2(2), e00223851. https://doi.org/10.17981/JACN.2.2.2021.04

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Vol. 2 No. 2 (2021): Journal of Applied Cognitive Neuroscience

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Original Article

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