Exercise in waist‐high warm water decreases pain and improves health‐related quality of life and strength in the lower extremities in women with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the short-and long-term efficacy of exercise therapy in a warm, waist-high pool in women with fibromyalgia. Methods. Thirty-four women (mean ؎ SD tender points 17 ؎ 1) were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (n ‫؍‬ 17) to perform 3 weekly sessions of training including aerobic, proprioceptive, and strengthening exercises during 12 weeks, or to a control group (n ‫؍‬ 17). Maximal unilateral isokinetic strength was measured in the knee extensors and flexors in concentric and eccentric actions at 60°/second and 210°/second, and in the shoulder abductors and adductors in concentric contractions. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was assessed using the EQ-5D questionnaire; pain was assessed on a visual analog scale. All were measured at baseline, posttreatment, and after 6 months. Results. The strength of the knee extensors in concentric actions increased by 20% in both limbs after the training period, and these improvements were maintained after the de-training period in the exercise group. The strength of other muscle actions measured did not change. HRQOL improved by 93% (P ‫؍‬ 0.007) and pain was reduced by 29% (P ‫؍‬ 0.012) in the exercise group during the training, but pain returned close to the pretraining level during the subsequent de-training. However, there were no changes in the control group during the entire period. Conclusion. The therapy relieved pain and improved HRQOL and muscle strength in the lower limbs at low velocity in patients with initial low muscle strength and high number of tender points. Most of these improvements were maintained long term.

Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Exercise on Balance in Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…This represents a large effect (MLSI effect size, R 2 = 0.26), when patients were evaluated with eyes closed. These improvements are similar to those reported previously 35 (for example, Rees et al 25 demonstrated improvements in MLSI of 27.5% and Gusi et al 35 and Gusi et al 32 demonstrated improvements in balance of 29% and 36%, respectively, with short-term WBV training). ANCOVA, analysis of covariance; SI, stability index; AP, anteroposterior; MD, mean deflection; ML, medial-lateral; effect size, > 0.01 small; > 0.06 medium; > 0.14 large.…”

“…For example, patients with FM have increased frequency of falls 17 and may suffer premature bone loss. 37 WBV can be used to address both of these important clinical problems 35 in addition to improving strength and fitness in FM.…”

Association of Physical Fitness With Pain in Women With Fibromyalgia: The al‐Ándalus Project

“…However, Hooten et al (3) revealed equal reductions in pain severity following either strengthening or aerobic exercise training. Aerobic fitness has also been reported to be inversely associated with overall FM severity (28), and most exercise intervention programs in FM patients involve both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises (29)(30)(31)(32). Therefore, these exploratory results must be interpreted with caution.…”

Effect of Watsu therapy on psychological aspects and quality of life of patients with temporomandibular disorder: case report

“…Some techniques and resources need more studies to prove its effectiveness in the treatment of TMD 20 . Gusi et al 21 evaluated short-term and long-term effectiveness of exercise therapy in a heated swimming pool in women with fibromyalgia. They observed that the quality of life was improved in 93% and pain was reduced by 29% compared to the control during training and even after the therapy interruption.…”