Targeting Daily Positive Experiences to Improve Emotional and Functional Well-being in Adults with Fibromyalgia: Insights from the LARKSPUR Intervention (Preprint)

Abstract

The use of digital technology in behavioral interventions for aging populations is a growing area of research that presents both opportunities and challenges. While these interventions have the potential to be more scalable and effective, aging adults may face barriers in accessing and utilizing these technologies.

This randomized controlled trial investigated the efficacy of an internet-delivered positive affect regulation intervention, Lessons in Affect Regulation to Keep Stress and Pain UndeR control (LARKSPUR), in enhancing emotional and functional well-being among adults with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

Ninety-five FMS participants aged 50 and older (94% female) were randomized to one of two conditions: (1) LARKSPUR (n = 49) or (2) emotion reporting/attention control (n = 46). At posttreatment and 1-month follow-up, participants completed 7 consecutive end-of-day online reports capturing positive events, pain, fatigue, positive affect, and negative affect.

Compared to control, LARKSPUR resulted in greater improvements in daily affective responsivity to positive events at posttreatment, including greater reductions in negative affect (bL – bC = -0.06, 95% BCI: [-0.10, -0.02]) and increases in positive affect (bL - bC = 0.10, 95% BCI: [0.02, 0.19]). Furthermore, across posttreatment and follow-up, LARKSPUR led to greater reductions in pain (bL – bC = -0.20, 95% BCI: [-0.36, -0.04], and fatigue (bL – bC = -0.24, 95% BCI: [-0.41, -0.06] following positive events.

This randomized trial provides initial evidence that an online positive affect skills intervention can enhance emotional and functional well-being in aging adults with fibromyalgia.

NCT04869345