Background/Purpose: This systematic review investigated the effects of resistance exercise training on signs and symptoms, and physical fitness in people with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia, a condition of chronic pain, is frequently associated with poor physical fitness and low levels participation in physical activity.
Methods: We searched 8 electronic data bases (eg, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE) to 01/2012. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials, adults a fibromyalgia diagnosis based on published criteria, and between group data comparing resistance exercise to a control or other intervention. Study screening and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers. We extracted and analyzed data on symptoms, global rating of disease, health-related quality of life, physical function, psychological health, and adverse effects using Cochrane collaboration procedures. Studies were evaluated for risk of bias and congruence with the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines. We used the GRADE approach to evaluate the body of evidence.
Results: After removing duplicate entries, we found 1661 citations – only four studies met the selection criteria and were included in the review. The studies fell into two categories in which resistance exercise training was compared to: a) a control group (2 studies), and b) to other exercise interventions (one aerobic, one flexibility exercise). A total of 61 participants (all were women) were assigned to resistance training. The two randomized trials in the first category were 21 week moderate to high intensity progressive resistance interventions using isokinetic exercise equipment. In the second category, 8 weeks of progressive treadmill walking was compared to low to moderate intensity progressive free weight or body weight resistance exercise, and 12 weeks of flexibility exercise was compared to low intensity resistance training using light hand weights and elastic tubing. Large differences were found in pain, patient rated global, tender points, depression, fatigue, muscle strength and muscle power favoring the resistance training group when compared to the control group. Few significant differences were found when resistance exercise was compared to aerobic exercise: large effects were found in pain and sleep quality favoring the aerobics group. When compared to flexibility exercise, large differences were found in fatigue and sleep resistance training favoring the resistance training group. No injuries were observed in any of the studies.
Conclusion: There is moderate evidence that 21 weeks of medium to vigorous intensity resistance training exercise improves muscle strength, pain, and patient rated global well-being in women with fibromyalgia. There is moderate evidence that eight weeks of aerobic exercise is superior to moderate intensity resistance exercise training for reducing pain and improving sleep. There is low quality evidence that 12 weeks of low intensity resistance training is superior to flexibility exercise in women with fibromyalgia for reducing pain and fatigue and improving sleep. Furthermore, it appears that women with fibromyalgia perform resistance exercise training without adverse effects.
Disclosure:
A. J. Busch,
None;
S. Webber,
None;
R. Richards,
None;
J. Bidonde,
None;
C. Schachter,
None;
L. Schafer,
None;
A. Danyliw,
None;
A. Sawant,
None;
V. Dal Bello Haas,
None;
T. Rader,
None.
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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/resistance-exercise-training-for-fibromyalgia-a-systematic-review/