A study in the August 6 issue of Pain examined attentional function and working memory capacity in 30 women with fibromyalgia and 30 matched controls. Researchers found that performance of working memory and standardized, everyday attentional tasks were impaired in the FM group. As the demands of the tasks increased, stimulus interference significantly worsened in the FM group. Interestingly, these effects were found to exist independent of the measures of mood and sleep disruption. Researchers conclude that FM pain may play an important role in cognitive disruption.

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View other articles in vol. 8, no. 10 of FMOnline:
 
In the Spotlight
How Do You Cure Those Wintertime Blues?
Moving Away from Fibromyalgia
Top Locations for FM Relief
Dealing with Dampness