Physical performance characteristics of women with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to examine physical performance in women with fibromyalgia (FM) using methods that are easy to use in clinical settings and to compare our findings with published norms or a healthy comparison group. Methods. Measures of shoulder pain and range-ofmotion, isometric shoulder endurance, neck rotation, leg strength, hand grip strength, back flexibility, 6-minute walk distance, and symptom duration were completed on 97 subjects with FM. The comparison group was 30 age-matched healthy women. Results. The FM group had significantly lower physical functioning scores on all variables when compared to the healthy group or published norms. When pain at rest was controlled, pain on motion was the most significant predictor of variance in shoulder range of motion, whereas range of motion was the most significant predictor of right shoulder endurance and grip strength of both hands. Conclusions. Women with FM are markedly below average in physical performance abilities when measured by clinical tests. Persons with fibromyalgia [FM) are an increasing part of the case load in the health care system. Along with complaints of generalized widespread pain, fatigue, stiffness, and disturbed sleep, many patients with FM report that their overall physical performance is reduced when compared to the time before the onset of the syndrome. Difficulties in performing activities of daily living as well as activities related to employment have been reported [1,2]. Additionally, researchers have shown that persons with FM have reduced muscle strength and endurance [3-71, impaired ability when assessed with a "work simulator" [8], reduced ability to sustain intensive exercise, and low levels of aerobic fitness [9,10]. Most muscle testing has been carried out using elaborate laboratory equipment. The suggestion has been made, however, that functional tests may be of greater value to estimate muscle performance in FM patients [7].The aim of this study was to examine physical performance in women with FM using methods that are easy to use in a clinical setting. Where possible we compared the results to normal values reported in the literature. For other measures where there were no reported norms, we used an age-matched healthy comparison group. The relationships between age, symptom duration, pain, and the physical performance variables were studied. SUBJECTS AND METHODS SubjectsThe 97 FM subjects for this study were part of an experimental study of education and physical therapy carried out in Gothenburg, Sweden, and reported earlier

Redução da capacidade funcional e exacerbação da dor durante o esforço do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos em mulheres com fibromialgia

“…In the present study, it was verified that women with FM walked shorter distances than the control group, corroborating the results of previous studies 4,13 . The mean walked distance reported in this study was similar to the mean identified in other investigations of the same patient population 5,9,23 . In relation to the predicted distance, both groups walked significantly less than the expected according to the equation of Enright and Sherrill 7 .…”

Feasibility and effectiveness of an aerobic exercise program in children with fibromyalgia: Results of a randomized controlled pilot trial

“…Measures of workload during maximal cycle tasks have also been reported to be significantly lower in adult FM patients when compared with healthy controls (10). Other measures of fitness such as flexibility scores, strength, and walking distances also appear to be significantly lower in FM patients when compared with historic norms and agesex-matched controls (11). Chronic deconditioning leading to decreased physical activity participation has been suggested to contribute to the severity of symptoms and functional disability commonly reported in FM (2,8,9,(12)(13)(14).…”

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“…Mannerkorpi et al, had evaluated physical performance in FMS and healthy controls with physical performance tests. As a result, patients with FMS had reduced at physical performance capabilities [17].…”

“…FMS patients have less physical and psychological condition compared with normal population [4]. Decreasing on functional muscle strength and endurance have shown in age-and sex-controlled studies [5,6]. In this study we aimed to investigate the possible relationship between clinical findings, hand grip strength and quality of life in patients with FMS.…”