Effects of a functional training program in patients with fibromyalgia: A 9-year prospective longitudinal cohort study.

There are evidences that physical exercise is an effective instrument for improving physical fitness, health, and quality of life and causes beneficial effects on the symptoms of patients with fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study was to analyze effects of a functional training program on pain, fitness, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia in a 9-year prospective longitudinal cohort study. Forty women with fibromyalgia participated in this study; 24 received an exercise program and were called the active group; and 16 were the control group. Tender points, visual analogical scale (VAS) of pain, physical fitness, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) were analyzed. The active group experienced significant improvements in FIQ, TP, and VAS (P < .001), whereas the control group showed significant worsening in the FIQ scale (P = .004). Moreover, the active group experienced significant improvements in leg strength (P < .001), balance (P = .033), cardiorespiratory fitness (P < .001), emotional role (P = .024), and mental health (P = .025); whereas the control group significantly worsened on handgrip strength (P = .017), balance (P = .043), cardiorespiratory fitness (P = .020), and in general health (P < .001). A Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between the improvement in physical fitness variables and the improvements in FIQ, TP, and VAS. In conclusion, a regular practice of moderate-intensity physical activity shows a positive effect long-term on fitness, pain, the impact of the disease, and the quality of life in women with fibromyalgia.

Reduction in Pain After Use of Bioceramic Undershirt for Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Context • The treatment of pain in fibromyalgia (FM) has centered on pharmacotherapy and nonpharmacological treatment. The nondrug treatments for FM include the effects of far infrared radiation (FIR). Currently, FIR-emitting heat lamps and garments made of filaments (fibers) impregnated with FIR-emitting nanoparticles are being used to deliver thermal radiation effects. Objective • The study intended to determine the benefits of a fabric coated with bioceramics for reducing pain in women with FM. Design • The research team designed a randomized, controlled pilot study. Setting • The study was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Corporal Expression, University of Jaén (Jaén, Spain). Participants • Thirty-nine female participants diagnosed with FM took part in the study. Intervention • Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental (intervention) group (EG), n = 20, or a placebo group (PG), n = 19. The EG wore a shirt impregnated with bioceramics, and the PG dressed in a shirt without bioceramics. Both groups wore the shirts for 8 h/d for 60 d. Outcome Measures • Participants were evaluated twice, at baseline and postintervention. The tests used were (1) a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, (2) the FM Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and (3) the Short Form-12 health survey. The research team measured each participant's weight, height, and body mass index and evaluated their tender points. The research team also tracked participants' daily use of pain medications as a daily tablet intake. Results • Postintervention, the women in the EG showed a significant reduction in pain: (1) on the VAS (P < .001), (2) on the measurement of tender points (P < .001), and (3) on the algometer score (P < .001), as well as (4) a significant reduction in FM symptoms on the FIQ (P = .005) and (5) a reduction in daily tablet intake (P < .001). No significant changes in the PG group were found. Significant differences existed between the groups for the VAS, the FIQ, tender points, and the algometer score in posttest evaluation (P < .05). Conclusions • Regular use of garments impregnated with a bioceramic solution (1%) can be beneficial in reducing pain and the impact of FM for patients. The low cost and comfort of the clothing make the therapy easy to be applied as a complementary tool in the treatment of FM.

Ageing influence in the evolution of strength and muscle mass in women with fibromyalgia: the al-Ándalus project.

Fibromyalgia is associated with physical disabilities in daily activities. Moreover, patients with fibromyalgia present similar levels of functional capacity and physical condition than elderly people. The aim of this study was to analyse the evolution of strength and muscle mass in women with fibromyalgia along ageing. A total sample of 492 fibromyalgia patients and 279 healthy control women were included in the study. Participants in each group were further divided into four age subgroups: subgroup 1: 30-39 years old, subgroup 2: 40-49 years old, subgroup 3: 50-59 years old and subgroup 4: 60-69 years old. Standardized field-based fitness tests were used to assess muscle strength (30-s chair stand, handgrip strength and arm curl tests). Fibromyalgia patients did not show impairment on muscle mass along ageing, without values of skeletal muscle mass index below 6.76 kg/m(2) in any group. However, in all variables of muscle strength, the fibromyalgia group showed less strength than the healthy group (p < 0.05) for all age groups. As expected, handgrip strength test showed differences along ageing only in the fibromyalgia group (p < 0.001). Age was inversely associated with skeletal muscle mass (r = -0.155, p < 0.01) and handgrip strength (r = -0.230, p < 0.001) in the FM group. Women with fibromyalgia showed a reduction in muscle strength along ageing process, with significantly lower scores than healthy women for each age group, representing a risk of dynapenia.

Effects of functional training on pain, leg strength, and balance in women with fibromyalgia.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of 18-week functional training (FT) program consisting in two sessions a week of in-water exercise and one of on-land exercise on pain, strength, and balance in women with fibromyalgia. METHODS: A sample consisting of 36 fibromyalgia patients was included in the study. The patients were allocated randomly into the experimental group (EG, n = 20), and control group (CG, n = 16). Standardized field-based fitness tests were used to assess muscle strength (30-s chair stand and handgrip strength) and agility/dynamic balance and static balance. Fibromyalgia impact and pain were analyzed by Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), tender points (TPs), visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: We observed a significant reduction in the FIQ (p = 0.042), the algometer scale of TP (p = 0.008), TP (p < 0.001), and VAS (p < 0.001) in the EG. The EG shows better results in leg strength (p < 0.001), handgrip strength (p = 0.025), agility/dynamic balance (p = 0.032) and balance (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: An 18-week intervention consisting in two sessions of in-water exercise and one session of on-land exercise of FT reduces pain and improves functional capacity in FM patients. These results suggested that FT could play an important role in maintaining an independent lifestyle in patients with FM.