Do humor styles predict clinical response to the MINDSET (MINDfulneSs & EducaTion) program? A pilot study in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Background and aim: Humor has been described as an effective coping strategy for dealing with chronic pain conditions; likewise, coping strategies predict some clinical outcomes after cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based interventions. The present study aims to preliminarily explore the role of humor styles in predicting clinical changes after the multicomponent intervention (MINDSET) that combines mindfulness and psychoeducation for fibromyalgia (FM) patients.

Material and methods: A subsample of 35 patients with FM of the EUDAIMON study, a randomized controlled trial, was used for the present study; linear regressions and Spearman's correlations were computed.

Results: Affiliative humor and positive/negative ratio humor styles had a unique predictive effect on self-reported clinical changes. Significant correlations between humor styles with functional impact and mindfulness facets were observed.

Conclusions: Some humor styles may imply a better disposition in patients to learn and implement the concepts and resources that the intervention offered.

Keywords: Estilos de humor; Fibromialgia; Fibromyalgia; Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised; Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire; Humor Styles Questionnaire; Humor styles; Mindfulness.