Sophrology versus resistance training for treatment of women with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Physical training has been recommended to improve overall well-being in patients with fibromyalgia. Body relaxation exercises also seem to have some beneficial effect, however there is no consensus regarding this modality. OBJECTIVE: Comparing the effectiveness of sophrology and resistance training in improving the pain of women with fibromyalgia. METHOD: A randomized controlled clinical trial with a blind evaluator. Sixty (60) women with a medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia were randomized and included in two groups: sophrology group (SG) who participated in a relaxation program based on sophrology (n = 30), and resistance group (RG) (n = 30) who participated in a resistance training program for biceps, pectoral, triceps, knee extensors, trapezius, knee flexors, hip abductors. Both groups were treated twice a week for 12 weeks and reevaluated every 4 weeks. The assessment instruments used were the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VAS), the one-repetition maximum test (1 RM), the overall quality of life (SF-36), the 6-min walk test (6MWT), the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). RESULTS: We found that the RG presented statistically significant decreases in pain (VAS) during the evaluations (p < 0.05) and increased strength of the evaluated muscles (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease in pain (p < 0.05) was observed in the SG compared to T0, with no significant differences in muscle strength. Differences between groups were observed, with better indices only for 6MWT and functional capacity domain of the SF36 for the RG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: No differences in pain were found between the groups. Resistance training was more effective than sophrology in improving strength and functional capacity of women with fibromyalgia.

Zumba dancing can improve the pain and functional capacity in women with fibromyalgia.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of physical exercise for patients with fibromyalgia (FM) is very clear in the literature. Dancing is a type of aerobic exercise that has great acceptance. In addition to the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise, Zumba works on motor coordination and also has socializing as a part that should be included in patients with fibromyalgia. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of Zumba dancing in improving pain, functional capacity, quality of sleep and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. DESIGN: A pre-post treatment design. METHODS: We evaluated 19 women with fibromyalgia, selected by convenience. Data were collected in the second half of 2016. Zumba dancing was performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at week 0 (T0) and at week 12 (T12), by the following instruments: VAS (Visual Analogic Scale), Likert Scale, TUG (Timed Up an Go Test), 6MWT (Six-minute Walk Test), FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), ESS (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) and SF-36 quality of life. RESULTS: We found differences in pain (VAST0 = 6.21 and VAST12 = 4.53) with p = 0.001 and in the domain physical functioning of SF36 (T0 = 42.37 and T12 = 52.11) with p = 0.04. No differences were found for the other variables between the times. CONCLUSION: Zumba dancing as a form of treatment for three months for patients with fibromyalgia was effective in improving pain and physical functioning. Future controlled and randomized clinical trials should be performed to improve the evidence of Zumba dancing in women with fibromyalgia.