Abstract
Background: The functional deficits in people with fibromyalgia can be related to the level of physical activity performed. This study investigated the effectiveness of an active exercise programme versus exercise for well-being improving pain, flexibility, static balance, perceived exertion and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia; Methods: A randomised, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted. A total of 141 of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia were enrolled and randomised to an active exercise program group (n = 47), where they performed physical active exercises, an exercise for well-being group (n = 47), which performed the Qi Gong exercises named ‘the twenty Wang Ziping figures for health and longevity’, and a control group (n = 47), which did not receive any intervention, for a period of 4 weeks. Measures were taken at baseline and after the treatment. The primary outcome measures were static balance and centre of gravity (Wii-Fit Nintendo ©), flexibility (test de Wells and Dillon), pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and quality of life (Spanish-Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). The secondary outcome measure was the perceived exertion during activity (BORG Scale). Results: In total, 93 participants completed the study. The mean value of the age was 52.24 ± 6.19. The post intervention results showed statistically significant improvements in the exercise for well-being and the active exercise programme groups vs. the control group in relation to pain (p = 0.006 active exercise programme group, p = 0.001 exercise for well-being group), static balance (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group) and quality of life (p < 0.001 active exercise programme group, p = 0.002 exercise for well-being group). In addition, the mean scores related to perceived fatigue during the sessions were 6.30 ± 1.88 for the active exercise programme group and 5.52 ± 1.55 for the exercise for well-being group. These differences were not significant. Conclusions: The active exercise program and exercise for well-being improved flexibility, static balance, pain and quality of life of women with fibromyalgia. The participants of the active exercise programme achieved better results that those of the exercise for well-being.
Highlights
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The main clinical manifestation of Fibromyalgia is diffuse and widespread pain in combination with the presence of multiple tender points [1]
Age showed a significant correlation with the baseline scores in flexibility, as this outcome measure worsened with age
We hardly found significant correlations between age and changes along the treatment
Summary
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The main clinical manifestation of Fibromyalgia is diffuse and widespread pain in combination with the presence of multiple tender points [1]. Different authors have suggested that these symptoms can affect the functional capacity of these patients [3,4]. This is based on the association between symptoms, flexibility. Balance impairments [3,4]. Balance impairment is a very frequent sign in persons with fibromyalgia and it is considered one of the 10 most disabling symptoms, with a prevalence between 45% and 68% [5]. Vestibular function may be impaired in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who have fibromyalgia but not in those with chronic fatigue syndrome alone [8]
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