Please can you help Stephanie Woodacre with her research into diet and fibromyalgia.

Woodacre shares “As part of my final year dissertation at The University of Central Lancashire, I am researching the dietary preferences of women suffering with Fibromyalgia.

Research of dietary interventions or the effect of diet of Fibromyalgia symptoms is scarce. Symptoms such as chronic fatigue or disturbed sleep could be down to deficiencies or poor diet; I decided to conduct a study of dietary preferences and the impact of Fibromyalgia to see if dietary interventions could be advised to attempt to relieve the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. My research will aims to help identify if a link can be discovered between dietary preferences and the severity of the condition.

The study requires each participant to complete;

• A four day diet diary – the diary will require all participants to record all food and drink items consumed over a 4 day period (3 weekday, 1 weekend day) .
• The Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) – the questionnaire will measure each patient’s current health status using factors such as energy levels, pain, sleep deprivation, depression and anxiety.

Completion of the FIQR will take approximately two minutes, and the diet diary will take approximately two minutes each day.

All dietary information will be processed using a computerised nutritional database, this will identify any deficiencies within the diet and highlight any similarities between participants. The information will then be used to see if the severity of Fibromyalgia between participants is reflected in dietary deficiencies or preferences.

Participation in the study entirely voluntary and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time before submission.

All data provided by participants will be anonymous and confidential, only  for used in the purpose of this research. Participants can be notified of any feedback and further evidence following completion of the study.

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia I would really appreciate if you could take the time to participate in my study. Research information can be sent by email or by post if required. The closing date for the study is 21^st March 2016, feedback will be given by 31st May 2016.

If you would like to participate in the study or request additional information please contact me on swoodacre@uclan.ac.uk “