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A Fibromyalgia Study

© Cynthia Webber (Jausten)

Research into fibromyalgia is expensive, time-consuming, and requires a great deal of commitment from not only the researchers but also from the subjects. Double-blind experiments are being done, but they must be able to be duplicated by other researchers before they are taken as fact. Studies are different. Studies provide valuable information for researchers to draw upon when they are designing a double-blind experiment. In an observational study, the investigators do not assign the subjects to treatment or control as is done in a double-blind controlled experiment.

One such observational study is being conducted by Peggy Muench. She is a former nurse and has both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. She has gained an appreciation of the mind-body-spirit connection and how these work together to assist individuals when ill to cope with the illness. Peggy is especially interested in how spirituality and hope impact the chronic illness experience.

She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program and is writing her dissertation on the relationship between spirituality, hope, and psychological well-being for individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome. She is interested in surveying individuals diagnosed with these illnesses around the world.

Peggy needs to find at least 200 individuals who have been diagnosed with these two chronic conditions, and who will commit themselves to answering a one-time questionaire. It should take about 30 minutes to complete the survey, and she will be assigning a number to insure anonymity of responses. She is planning to send out the questionnaires through regular mail and will include postage so individuals can return them with no cost to themselves.

Peggy is very interested in obtaining a diversified sample since this lends credibility to the study. That is, she is looking for a wide representation of individuals with these illnesses. She is hoping to send out 400 questionnaires, but does need the firm commitment of at least 200 individuals.

As with any study that is conducted by a student working towards a doctorate degree, Peggy will need the approval of her department head plus pass the Human Subjects Review Board. This will be completed in August.

It is important for such studies to be done. They not only help us when they are published and read by other researchers, but they make us feel that we are contributing to the body of research that is important for learning more about fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.

I encourage all to email Peggy. Let's show our support for her work into understanding more about the mind-body-spirit connection to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue.