Strengthening Exercises for Fibromyalgia

Overview

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of strengthening exercises using the Swiss ball in patients with fibromyalgia (FM). Material and Method: Sixty FM patients were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (IG), in which patients performed muscle strength exercises using the Swiss ball, and a stretching group (SG), in which patients performed stretching exercises. All patients participated in 40-minute training sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. The IG performed the following eight strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball: lateral rise, simultaneous biceps curl, squat, two arms triceps extension, abdominal, one arm dumbbell row, reverse crucifix and crucifix. The SG performed exercises targeting the same muscle groups trained in IG. Outcome measures were as follows: visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, 1 repetition maximum test for muscle strength; fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) to evaluate disease impact, and short form health survey (SF-36) to assess quality of life. All participants underwent an evaluation at baseline, at 6 weeks and at 12 weeks of training. The assessor was blind to patient allocation.

Full Title of Study: “Effectiveness of Strengthening Exercises Using the Swiss Ball for Patients With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Interventional
  • Study Design
    • Allocation: Randomized
    • Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
    • Primary Purpose: Treatment
    • Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
  • Study Primary Completion Date: May 2013

Interventions

  • Other: strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball
    • This group performed eight muscle strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball of 65 cm diameter and dumbbells with different loads. Each training session was 40 minutes long and was performed three times a week for 12 weeks. The exercises were performed in three sets of 12 repetitions, with an interval of one to two minutes of recovery between exercises, which alternated between upper limbs, lower limbs and abdomen. The load used was 60 % of one repetition maximum (1RM).
  • Other: strengthening exercises
    • The stretching group performed stretching exercises that targeted the same muscles trained in the IG. The participants remained in the stretched position for three sets of 30 s for each exercise. The total session time was 40 minutes.

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Experimental: Strengthening group
    • This group perform muscle strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball of 65 cm diameter.
  • Active Comparator: Stretching group
    • Performed stretching exercises

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Changes in Pain – VAS
    • Time Frame: Basline, after 6 and 12 weeks

Secondary Measures

  • Changes in quality of life – Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) questionnaire
    • Time Frame: Baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks
  • Changes in muscle strength using the maximum repetition (1 RM)
    • Time Frame: Baseline, after 6 and 12 weeks
  • Changes in consumption of analgesics
    • Time Frame: After 6 and 12 weeks from baseline

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • female with fibromyalgia according to the classification criteria of the American College of Rheumatology; – aged between 20 and 65 years old. Exclusion Criteria:

  • uncontrolled hypertension; – decompensated cardiac disease; – history of syncope or exercise-induced arrhythmias and decompensated diabetes; – severe psychiatric illness; – history of regular exercise at least twice a week for the last 6 months; – any other condition that could prevent the patient from performing physical exercises.

Gender Eligibility: Female

Minimum Age: 20 Years

Maximum Age: 65 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: No

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • Federal University of São Paulo
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Principal Investigator: Jamil Natour, Head of Rheumatology Division – Federal University of São Paulo

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