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

Abstract

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.

The Role of Catastrophizing in the Benefits of Walking on Fatigue in Women with Fibromyalgia

“…First, the results support the bene ts of walking as a form of physical exercise upon fatigue, in this case after having controlled for the in uence of pain catastrophism. These results are consistent with the positive effects of walking on different symptoms among bromyalgia patients (8)(9)(10).…”

“…From a rehabilitation and prevention point of view, one of the main treatment aims in patients with bromyalgia is to include or maintain physical function and to avoid the disabilities that could arise because of it (6,7). In this sense, bromyalgia treatments that have included activities and physical exercise as one of their therapeutic aims have shown positive effects on patients' health outcomes (8)(9)(10), including a signi cant reduction of fatigue (11,12). Walking, which is as a form of physical exercise, has signi cant advantages over other physical practices due to its easy implementation and accessibility, and its practice is associated with reduced fatigue, pain, and functional limitation, which makes walking an excellent treatment option for people with bromyalgia (13)(14)(15)(16).…”

Impact of Repeated Lidocaine Injections, Exercise, and Mindfulness on Fibromyalgia Symptoms in a Clinical Population

“…This research was motivated by EULAR recommendation to use a multidisciplinary approach tailored to each individual patient using both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment and their lack of data from such trials to ensure that this treatment plan is optimal in a clinical setting and when used in combination (Mcfarlane et al, 2016). Due to a lack of research on adequate treatments for those with FM, this study was the first of its kind to holistically examine the effects of lidocaine injections, exercise, and mindfulness interventions, as other trials have only examined one of these modalities (Derman et al, 2011;Staud et al, 2017;Santos et al, 2020).…”

Recomendaciones clínicas para la rehabilitación de personas con fibromialgia. Una revisión narrativa.

“…Además, se ha reportado que reemplazar el tiempo sedentario con AF de intensidad ligera-moderada está asociado con mejorías en el dolor, vitalidad y funcionamiento social en personas con FM (101). Un estudio de cohorte longitudinal prospectivo de 9 años de seguimiento demostró que un grupo de personas con FM físicamente activas tiene mejores resultados en el dolor, impacto de la condición y presencia de puntos sensibles que un control inactivo (61).…”