Smartphone Addiction in Fibromyalgia

Smartphone addiction in fibromyalgia: an observational study and randomized controlled trial of patient education

Objectives: To evaluate the relation between daily smartphone screen time, smartphone addiction, and total fibromyalgia impact among fibromyalgia patients. To assess the effect of patient education on smartphone addiction and fibromyalgia impact.

Patients and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in physiatry clinic of a hospital. Of 91 fibromyalgia patients mean age was 37.54 ± 8.89 years for the education group (N=50), 40.90 ± 9.42 years for the control group (N=41). Intervention group received physician-led education on fibromyalgia and potential negative effects of SA. Primary outcomes were smartphone addiction measured by Smartphone Addiction Scale- Short Version and total fibromyalgia impact measured by Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, at baseline and on day 20. Secondary outcome was daily smartphone screen time at baseline and for 20-day period.

Results: Young, single, highly-educated patients exhibited higher smartphone addiction. Both groups demonstrated improvements like decrease in daily smartphone screen time, smartphone addiction, and total fibromyalgia impact. Improvement in intervention group was greater but not statistically significant. While addiction and impact scores were not correlated initially, a correlation emerged after the observation period, with decreases in addiction scores aligning with decreases in impact scores. Additionally 28% of patients in the intervention and 17.1% in the control group achieved remission.

Conclusion: Intervention and follow-up with diaries positively impacted fibromyalgia. Lack of differences between groups suggests that ongoing engagement may be as beneficial as patient education. Correlation of reduced addiction with reduced fibromyalgia impact, and achievement of remissions demonstrate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological approaches in managing fibromyalgia.

Keywords: Fibromyalgia, smartphone addiction, education of patients.