Abstract
Background. The purpose was to analyze the effects of Tai-Chi training in women with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods. Thirty-two women with FM (mean age, 51.4 ± 6.8 years) attended to Tai-Chi intervention 3 sessions weekly for 28 weeks. The outcome measures were: tenderness, body composition, functional capacity and psychological outcomes (Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36)). Results. Patients showed improvements on pain threshold, total number of tender points and algometer score (all P < 0.001). The intervention was effective on 6-min walk (P = 0.006), back scratch (P = 0.002), handgrip strength (P = 0.006), chair stand, chair sit & reach, 8 feet up & go and blind flamingo tests (all P < 0.001). Tai-Chi group improved the FIQ total score (P < 0.001) and six subscales: stiffness (P = 0.005), pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, anxiety, and depression (all P < 0.001). The intervention was also effective in six SF-36 subscales: bodily pain (P = 0.003), vitality (P = 0.018), physical functioning, physical role, general health, and mental health (all P < 0.001). Conclusions. A 28-week Tai-Chi intervention showed improvements on pain, functional capacity, symptomatology and psychological outcomes in female FM patients.
Highlights
The purpose was to analyze the effects of Tai-Chi training in women with fibromyalgia (FM)
The intervention was effective in six SF-36 subscales: bodily pain (P = 0.003), vitality (P = 0.018), physical functioning, physical role, general health, and mental health
The inclusion criteria were: (i) meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria widespread pain for more than 3 months and pain with 4 kg/cm2 of pressure for 11 or more of 18 tender points [4], (ii) not to have other severe somatic or psychiatric disorders, such as stroke or schizophrenia, or other diseases that prevent physical loading, and (iii) no to be attending another type of physical therapy at the same time
Summary
The purpose was to analyze the effects of Tai-Chi training in women with fibromyalgia (FM). Tai-Chi group improved the FIQ total score (P < 0.001) and six subscales: stiffness (P = 0.005), pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, anxiety, and depression (all P < 0.001). A 28-week Tai-Chi intervention showed improvements on pain, functional capacity, symptomatology and psychological outcomes in female FM patients. It has been suggested that a nonextenuating physical exercise, mind-body exercise, and some type of relaxation therapies can increase pain tolerance, producing a global improvement in the quality of life of FM patients [6,7,8,9]. A recent review suggested potential benefits from Tai-Chi exercise on balance and psychological health [14]. The benefits of Tai-Chi therapy include improvements in physical and mental well-being in patients with a variety of diseases and disorders [15]. TaiChi is regarded as a light exercise [19, 20] that consists
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