Number Of Tender Points Research Articles

Effects of Panax Ginseng Extract in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A 12-week, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of an extract of Panax ginseng in patients with fibromyalgia. A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial was carried out over 12 weeks to compare the effects of P. ginseng (100 mg/d) with amitriptyline (25 mg/d) and placebo in 38 patients with fibromyalgia: 13 in Group I (amitriptyline), 13 in Group II (placebo), and 12 in Group III (P. ginseng). Ratings on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) revealed a reduction in pain in the P. ginseng group (p < .0001), an improvement in fatigue (p < .0001) and an improvement in sleep (p < .001), with respect to baseline characteristics, but there were no differences between the three groups. With respect to anxiety, improvements occurred in the P. ginseng group compared to baseline (p < .0001); however, amitriptyline treatment resulted in significantly greater improvements (p < .05). P. ginseng reduced the number of tender points and improved patients' quality of life (using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire - FIQ); however, there were no differences between groups. The beneficial effects experienced by patients for all parameters suggest a need for further studies to be performed on the tolerability and efficacy of this phytotherapic as a complementary therapy for fibromyalgia.

Clinical symptoms in fibromyalgia are associated to overweight and lipid profile

In order to analyze the association between body mass index (BMI), lipid profile and clinical symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia, we assessed BMI levels, lipid profile and its association with clinical symptoms in 183 patients with fibromyalgia. The patients were evaluated using tender points, FIQ and Visual Analogue Scales of pain (VAS). Serum lipid profile analysis (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL and VLDL), and biochemical parameters were measured in the biochemistry laboratory. The BMI distribution of the nonobese, overweight and obese patients' groups were relatively even with 37.7, 35.5 and 26.8%, respectively, with a mean BMI of 27.3 ± 4.9. The number of tender points showed significantly positive correlation with higher BMI (P < 0.05). A total of 57.9% of patients showed increased levels of total cholesterol, 63.4 % increased levels of LDL cholesterol and 19.9% high levels of triglycerides. BMI, total cholesterol and triglycerides showed high association with some clinical parameters. Overweight and lipid profile could be associated with fibromyalgia symptoms. A treatment program with weight loss strategies, and control in diet and increased physical activity is advised to patients.

The evaluation of prevalence of fibromyalgia in patients with chronic urticaria

BackgroundThe pathophysiology of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is not fully understood; however, it has been hypothesized that a subset of people with CIU may have an autoimmune disease and that peripheral cutaneous nerve fibers may be involved in CIU. Similarly, it has been postulated that fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is an autoimmune disorder and may be associated with alterations of peripheral cutaneous nerve fibers. Accordingly, the present study aimed to determine whether the frequency of FMS is higher in patients with CIU.Material/MethodsA total of 72 patients with CIU and 67 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were included. Urticaria activity score (UAS), fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), tender point number, and visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed.ResultsThe frequency of FMS was similar between the groups (9.7% vs. 4.5%, p=0.32). However, symptom duration of FMS was significantly longer, and tender point number and FIQ were significantly higher in patients with CIU than in controls. In addition, patients with CIU had significantly higher VAS scores. UAS was significantly correlated with presence of FMS, symptom duration of FMS, tender point number, and FIQ and VAS scores. Logistic regression analysis revealed that UAS was an independent predictor of presence of FMS (β=0.34, p=0.003).ConclusionsFrequency of FMS was slightly, but not significantly, higher in patients with CIU than in controls. However, symptom duration of FMS, tender point number, and FIQ and VAS scores were significantly higher in patients with CIU, and UAS reflecting severity of the disease was significantly and independently associated with presence of FMS.

Acupoint stimulation for fibromyalgia: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Background. Acupoint stimulation is popular for treatment of fibromyalgia though there is lack of comprehensive evaluation of current clinical evidence for its effect and safety. Objective. To systematically review the beneficial effects and safety of acupoint stimulation for fibromyalgia. Methods. We searched six electronic databases for randomized trials on acupoint stimulation for treatment of fibromyalgia. Two authors extracted data and assessed the trial quality independently. RevMan 5.2 software was used for data analyses with effect estimate presented as (standard) mean difference and a 95% confidence interval. We defined minimum, medium, and large SMD effect sizes as 0.3, 0.5, and 0.75. Results. 16 RCTs with 1081 participants were involved in this review. Only two trials were evaluated as low risk of bias. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture alone or combined with cupping therapy was superior to conventional medications on reducing pain scores and/or the number of tender points. However, acupuncture showed no better than sham acupuncture on pain reduction. There was no serious adverse event reported to be related to acupoint stimulation. Conclusions. Acupoint stimulation appears to be effective in treating fibromyalgia compared with medications. However, further large, rigorously designed trials are warranted due to insufficient methodological rigor in the included trials.

Association between alcohol consumption and symptom severity and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia

IntroductionAlthough alcohol consumption is a common lifestyle behavior with previous studies reporting positive effects of alcohol on chronic pain and rheumatoid arthritis, no studies to this date have examined alcohol consumption in patients with fibromyalgia. We examined the association between alcohol consumption and symptom severity and quality of life (QOL) in patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsData on self-reported alcohol consumption from 946 patients were analyzed. Subjects were grouped by level of alcohol consumption (number of drinks/week): none, low (≤3), moderate (>3 to 7), and heavy (>7).Univariate analyses were used to find potential confounders, and analysis of covariance was used to adjust for these confounders. Tukey HSD pairwise comparisons were used to determine differences between alcohol groups.ResultsFive hundred and forty-six subjects (58%) did not consume alcohol. Low, moderate, and heavy levels of alcohol consumption were reported for 338 (36%), 31 (3%), and 31 patients (3%), respectively. Employment status (P <0.001), education level (P = 0.009), body mass index (P = 0.002) and opioid use (P = 0.002) differed significantly among groups with drinkers having higher education, a lower BMI, and a lower frequency of unemployment and opioid use than nondrinkers. After adjusting for these differences, the measures including the number of tender points (P = 0.01), FIQ total score (P = 0.01), physical function (P <0.001), work missed (P = 0.005), job ability (P = 0.03), and pain (P = 0.001) differed across groups, as did the SF-36 subscales of physical functioning (P <0.001), pain index (P = 0.002), general health perception (P = 0.02), social functioning (P = 0.02), and the physical component summary (P <0.001). Pairwise comparison among the 4 groups showed that the moderate and low alcohol drinkers had lower severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and better physical QOL than nondrinkers.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that low and moderate alcohol consumption was associated with lower fibromyalgia symptoms and better QOL compared to no alcohol consumption. The reasons for these results are unclear. Since recent studies have demonstrated that γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) levels are low in fibromyalgia, and alcohol is known to be a GABA-agonist, future studies should examine whether alcohol could have a salutary effect on pain and other symptoms in fibromyalgia.

The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Fibromyalgia

The aim of this study was to determine whether low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or high-frequency rTMS applied to the left motor cortex could influence pain level or mood status in patients with intractable fibromyalgia. Fifteen women with fibromyalgia were randomized to low-frequency (1 Hz), high-frequency (10 Hz), or sham stimulation. The patients underwent ten consecutive sessions according to rTMS protocol. The number of tender points and the Korean version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire were used to assess disease status, a visual analog scale was used to measure level of pain, and the Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess mood status. All subjects were evaluated before, immediately after, and 1 mo after rTMS. In the low-frequency group, the Beck Depression Inventory scores significantly decreased from baseline to 1 mo after rTMS. The visual analog scale and Korean version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores significantly decreased immediately after rTMS. In the high-frequency group, the visual analog scale and Beck Depression Inventory scores were significantly decreased immediately after rTMS. Low-frequency rTMS may play a role in the long-term treatment of fibromyalgia. Notably, the findings of this study are the first to show that the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or the left motor cortex rTMS could have an antidepressive and pain-modulating effect in patients with fibromyalgia.

Dr. Marchesoni and Dr. Atzeni reply

To the Editor: We thank Dr. Konno for his interest in our study1. Extraarticular pain in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) may be due to enthesitis or fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of our study2 was to establish which of the clinical characteristics that can be easily recorded during a standard rheumatological evaluation might help to distinguish the 2 conditions, and the results indicated that the number of somatic symptoms and the number of tender points were independent predictors of FM. The recently published preliminary FM diagnostic criteria3 suggest a new case definition … Address correspondence to Dr. Marchesoni; E-mail: marchesoni{at}gpini.it

Exercícios de alongamento muscular e aeróbico no tratamento da fibromialgia: estudo piloto

INTRODUÇÃO: Os exercícios físicos têm sido benéficos para o controle dos sintomas da fibromialgia (FM). OBJETIVOS: Comparar os efeitos de exercícios de alongamento muscular com os exercícios aeróbicos na dor, número de tender points, sono, ansiedade e depressão de pacientes com FM. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 19 pacientes com diagnóstico de FM, segundo critérios do Colégio Americano de Reumatologia, divididos em dois grupos: grupo alongamento, com 12 pacientes, que realizou um programa de 8 sessões de 45 minutos de exercícios de alongamento, uma vez a cada semana; grupo aeróbico com 7 pacientes, que realizou caminhada em esteira ergométrica por 30 minutos. Ambos foram orientados a realizarem exercícios em casa nos demais dias. A dor foi avaliada pela escala analógica visual; o limiar de dor dos tender points com o dolorímetro; sono pelo Post Sleep Inventory; ansiedade pelo Inventário de Ansiedade Traço-Estado e depressão pela Escala de Depressão de Beck. RESULTADOS: Os dados mostram que o ganho clínico foi maior no grupo alongamento em relação à dor (25%), número de tender points (15%), sono (38%) e depressão (22%) ao se comparar com o grupo aeróbico (ganho clínico de 2% na dor e 4% no sono; piora de 3% no número de tender points e 18% na depressão). O ganho clínico da ansiedade foi mais importante no grupo aeróbico (8% no traço de ansiedade e 10% no estado de ansiedade) em comparação ao grupo alongamento (piora de 3% no traço de ansiedade e melhora de 2% no estado de ansiedade). CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere que os exercícios de alongamento são mais eficazes que os exercícios aeróbicos na dor, número de tender points, sono e depressão da FM. Os exercícios aeróbicos parecem produzir um efeito mais importante na diminuição da ansiedade em comparação aos exercícios de alongamento.

Effect of supervised exercise program including balance exercises on the balance status and clinical signs in patients with fibromyalgia

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the supervised exercise program including balance exercises was superior to home exercise programs in improving clinical parameters and balance status in patients with FM. Fifty women who were diagnosed with primary FM were assigned into supervised exercise group (Group 1) and home exercise group (Group 2). Evaluation parameters were clinical parameters [pain, number of tender points (NTP), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)], and parameters associated with balance [timed up and go test (TUGT), four square step test (FSST), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and static balance measurements]. Significant differences were determined between all pre- and post-exercise clinical follow-up parameters at 12th week in Group 1. There was a significant difference only in the BDS score between baseline and at the 24th week. When the changes in balance parameters in Group 1 were investigated, a significant difference was noted at the 12th week in terms of TUGT, FSST, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline; however, the significant change maintained only in ABC scale at the 24th week compared to baseline. Significant differences were noted in all clinical parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week, whereas no difference was observed at the 24th week. Evaluation of balance parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week revealed significant differences in terms of the TUGT, FSST, BBS, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline, whereas 24th week evaluation revealed significant differences only in the BBS and ABC scale scores. When the two groups were compared, a significant difference was observed in favor of Group 2 only for the BBS at the 12th week evaluation. Exercise programs had short-term beneficial effects on either clinical signs or dynamic balance.

The Relationship of Fibromyalgia Syndrome with Neuropathic Pain, Quality of Life and Emotional Status in Male Traumatic Lower Limb Amputees

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] in male traumatic lower limb amputees [LLAs] and to determine the relationship between FMS clinical findings and neuropathic pain [NeP], quality of life [QOL], and emotional status in LLAs with FMS.MethodsThirty male traumatic LLAs were enrolled. Twelve LLAs [40 percent] included in the study were diagnosed with FMS [Group 1]. Group 2 [n = 18] included patients without FMS. The FMS-related measurements [Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ], myalgic scoring, number of tender points, widespread pain, the presence of accompanying symptoms of FMS], NeP-related measurements [Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs [LANSS] scale, the presence and severity of phantom–residual limb pain], QOL [Nottingham Health Profile [NHP]], emotional status [Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], and Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI]] were gathered using standardized measures.ResultsWhile there were significant differences between the...

Use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to evaluate anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia patients

IntroductionThe HADS is a questionnaire widely used to evaluate anxiety and depression, although its use in fibromyalgia patients has not yet been reported. The aim of this study is to know the usefulness of the HADS to evaluate the emotional aspects related to fibromyalgia patients. MethodsThis paper studies a sample of 301 fibromyalgia patients. The scientific goodness of the questionnaire is analysed, and its structure is compared with other models by confirmatory factor analysis. Two external severity indices are used, number of tender points and patient's employment situation. ResultsThe results show higher levels of anxiety than in other disorders, adequate reliability and a three-factor model with better statistical fit. Nevertheless, this structure was not shown more useful than the two-factor structure for the external criteria studied. ConclusionsThe HADS has been shown to be a useful tool for exploring the presence of anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia patients and that the number of tender points does not seem to be related to the severity of the psychological aspects measured by the HADS in our sample, while there does seem to be a correspondence between psychological condition and absence from work.

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Patients Referred to a Tertiary Pain Clinic

BackgroundFibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), the prototypical central pain augmentation syndrome, is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness. Although patients referred to tertiary care pain clinics are recognized as suffering from chronic...

A high tender point count is associated with the presence of multiple idiopathic pain disorders: Results from a population study

To test whether mechanical hyperalgesia is associated with multiple idiopathic pain disorders (IPDs) and whether this relationship is independent of the confounding effects of psychosocial factors. One hundred eighteen subjects with chronic orofacial pain (COFP) were identified from their questionnaire responses to a population study in North West England. All subjects had a tender point examination according to the American College of Rheumatology classification. Validated tools on the questionnaire were used to identify presence of other IPDs (irritable bowel syndrome and chronic widespread pain) and psychosocial factors (anxiety, depression, health anxiety, sleep disturbance and reporting of somatic symptoms and adverse life events). Of the 118 subjects, 47.6% (n = 56) had COFP, 34.7% (n = 41) had COFP plus one IPD and 17.8% (n = 21) had all three IPDs. Univariate analysis revealed a dose-response relationship between number of tender points (TPs) and number of IPDs [2-6 TPs (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-7.3), ≥ 7 TPs (OR 10.5, 95% CI 3.8-29.3)] and number of IPDs and psychological distress [anxiety (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.4), depression (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7-10.6), sleep disturbance (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.6-14.6)]. The relationship between IPDs and TPs persisted after adjusting for psychosocial factors in multivariate analyses [2-6 TPs (OR 2.5, 95% CI 0.8-7.8) ≥ 7 TPs (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.4-33.7)]. The dose-response relationship between TPs and IPDs needs further investigation to determine the temporal nature of these relationships and to disentangle the complex gene-environment relationships that may influence the occurrence of multiple IPDs.

Uso del cuestionario Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) para evaluar la ansiedad y la depresión en pacientes con fibromialgia

The HADS is a questionnaire widely used to evaluate anxiety and depression, although its use in fibromyalgia patients has not yet been reported. The aim of this study is to know the usefulness of the HADS to evaluate the emotional aspects related to fibromyalgia patients.This paper studies a sample of 301 fibromyalgia patients. The scientific goodness of the questionnaire is analyzed, and its structure is compared with other models by confirmatory factor analysis. Two external severity indices are used, number of tender points and patient's employment situation.The results show higher levels of anxiety than in other disorders, adequate reliability and a three-factor model with better statistical fit. Nevertheless, this structure was not shown more useful than the two-factor structure for the external criteria studied.The HADS has been shown to be a useful tool for exploring the presence of anxiety and depression in fibromyalgia patients and that the number of tender points does not seem to be related to the severity of the psychological aspects measured by the HADS in our sample, while there does seem to be a correspondence between psychological condition and absence from work.

Association of body mass index with symptom severity and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia

To examine the association between body mass index (BMI) and symptom severity and quality of life (QOL) in patients with fibromyalgia. We assessed BMI status and its association with symptom severity and QOL in 888 patients with fibromyalgia who were seen in a fibromyalgia treatment program and who completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey. The BMI distribution of nonobese (BMI <25.0 kg/m(2)), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m(2)), moderately obese (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m(2)), and severely obese (BMI ≥35.0 kg/m(2)) patients was 28.4% (n = 252), 26.8% (n = 238), 22.2% (n = 197), and 22.6% (n = 201), respectively. Age was significantly different among the 4 groups, with those having a greater BMI being older (P = 0.004). After adjustment for age, group differences were significant in the number of tender points (P = 0.003) and the FIQ and SF-36 scores. The groups with the greater BMI had greater fibromyalgia-related symptoms with worse FIQ total scores (P < 0.001), as well as worse scores in the FIQ subscales of physical function (P < 0.001), work missed (P = 0.04), job ability (P = 0.003), pain (P < 0.001), stiffness (P < 0.001), and depression (P = 0.03). These groups also had poorer SF-36 scores in physical functioning (P < 0.001), pain index (P = 0.005), general health perceptions (P = 0.003), role emotional (P = 0.04), and physical component summary (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis among the 4 groups showed that differences resided primarily in the severely obese group compared with the other groups. In patients with fibromyalgia, severe obesity (BMI ≥35.0 kg/m(2)) is associated with higher levels of fibromyalgia symptoms and lower levels of QOL.

Is magnesium citrate treatment effective on pain, clinical parameters and functional status in patients with fibromyalgia?

The aims of this study were to investigate the relationship between magnesium levels and fibromyalgia symptoms and to determine the effect of magnesium citrate treatment on these symptoms. Sixty premenopausal women diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the ACR criteria and 20 healthy women whose age and weight matched the premenopausal women were evaluated. Pain intensity, pain threshold, the number of tender points, the tender point index, the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), the Beck depression and Beck anxiety scores and patient symptoms were evaluated in all the women. Serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels were also measured. The patients were divided into three groups. The magnesium citrate (300 mg/day) was given to the first group (n = 20), amitriptyline (10 mg/day) was given to the second group (n = 20), and magnesium citrate (300 mg/day) + amitriptyline (10 mg/day) treatment was given to the third group (n = 20). All parameters were reevaluated after the 8 weeks of treatment. The serum and erythrocyte magnesium levels were significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia than in the controls. Also there was a negative correlation between the magnesium levels and fibromyalgia symptoms. The number of tender points, tender point index, FIQ and Beck depression scores decreased significantly with the magnesium citrate treatment. The combined amitriptyline + magnesium citrate treatment proved effective on all parameters except numbness. Low magnesium levels in the erythrocyte might be an etiologic factor on fibromyalgia symptoms. The magnesium citrate treatment was only effective tender points and the intensity of fibromyalgia. However, it was effective on all parameters when used in combination with amitriptyline.

Prevalence of Juvenile Fibromyalgia Among Children with Type1 Diabetes Mellitus in Ismailia-Egypt

Objective: to evaluate the prevalence of Juvenile Fibromyalgia in pediatric patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods: a case-control study of 62 children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and 62 controls at Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, were included in the study from April 2011 to January 2012. Sixty-two children with a well-established diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus were recruited for the study. All subjects, patients and normal controls were evaluated by clinical assessment that included predefined tender points upon digital palpation. Results: Fibromyalgia was diagnosed in eight Diabetes Mellitus patients (13%) and in only one (2%) healthy control (P=0.008*). Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus patients with Juvenile Fibromyalgia had significantly a higher mean regarding number of tender point than those without Fibromyalgia (6.38±1.5 vs. 3.21±1.4, respectively) (P

A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study of Noninvasive Cortical Electrostimulation in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia Patients

The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of noninvasive cortical electrostimulation in the management of fibromyalgia (FM). A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design was used. Setting. Subjects received therapy at two different outpatient clinical locations. There were 77 subjects meeting the American College of Rheumatology 1990 classification criteria for FM. Intervention. Thirty-nine (39) active treatment (AT) FM patients and 38 placebo controls received 22 applications of either noninvasive cortical electrostimulation or a sham therapy over an 11-week period. The primary outcome measures were the number of tender points (TePs) and pressure pain threshold (PPT). Secondary outcome measures were responses to the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Beck Depression Inventory-II, and a novel sleep questionnaire, all evaluated at baseline and at the end of treatment. Intervention provided significant improvements in TeP measures: compared with placebo, the AT patients improved in the number of positive TePs (-7.4 vs -0.2, P<0.001) and the PPT (19.6 vs -3.2, P<0.001). Most secondary outcomes also improved more in the AT group: total FIQ score (-15.5 vs -5.6, P=0.03), FIQ pain (-2.0 vs -0.6, P=0.03), FIQ fatigue (-2.0 vs -0.4, P=0.02), and FIQ refreshing sleep (-2.1 vs -0.7, P=0.02); and while FIQ function improved (-1.0 vs -0.2), the between-group change had a 14% likelihood of occurring due to chance (P=0.14). There were no significant side effects observed. Noninvasive cortical electrostimulation in FM patients provided modest improvements in pain, TeP measures, fatigue, and sleep; and the treatment was well tolerated. This form of therapy could potentially provide worthwhile adjunctive symptom relief for FM patients.

Effectiveness of a tai-chi training and detraining on functional capacity, symptomatology and psychological outcomes in women with fibromyalgia.

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.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Widespread Pain in Female Primary Health Care Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

To estimate the prevalence of widespread pain (WP) according to the American College of Rheumatology, 1990, in women with chronic low back pain (CLBP) consulting primary health care and to evaluate the differences in body function, activity, participation, environmental factors, health-related quality of life, and other health-related aspects between patients having CLBP with or without WP. A cross-sectional study of women with CLBP including clinical assessment and questionnaires was conducted. Patients were categorized as having CLBP with or without WP and differences between these groups were evaluated. One hundred thirty patients were assessed. Twenty-eight percent (n=37) had WP. Patients with CLBP+WP showed more impaired physical performance (6-min walk test, handgrip strength), higher numbers of tender points, more severe pain, fatigue, and depression compared with CLBP (P<0.05). The CLBP+WP showed greater activity limitation (P=0.00047). Work disability was 35% (n=13/37) in CLBP+WP compared with 16% (n=15/93) in CLBP (P=0.032). Private social support was negatively impacted in CLBP+WP (P=0.010). The CLBP+WP showed lower health-related quality of life (SF-36) in the physical function, bodily pain, and vitality dimension (P<0.05). More severe clinical stress symptoms and risk for future disability were registered for the CLBP+WP (P<0.001). Twenty-eight percent fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria for WP. When WP was present, patients reported significantly more impaired body functions, more severe activity limitations, and participation restrictions. Environmental factors, health-related quality of life, and other health-related aspects were also negatively impacted. It is suggested that the presence of WP should be evaluated in female patients with CLBP.