Background/Purpose: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue and reduced muscle strength. Exercise is fundamental to the treatment of FM and muscle strengthening programs have shown evidence of effectiveness in improving the symptoms of the syndrome.

Methods:

Sixty patients classified with FM were selected and randomized into two groups: intervention group (IG) that conducted strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball, and control group (CG) that performed stretching exercises. The trainings were conducted three times per week, lasting 40 minutes, for 12 weeks. The IG (n = 30) performed 8 strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball with the aim of recruiting the major muscle groups: lateral raise (deltoid), simultaneous threads (biceps), squat (quadriceps), French triceps (triceps), abdominal (rectus abdominis), unilateral stroke (latissimus dorsi), crucifix (pectoralis major) and reverse crucifix (rhomboid and trapezius). The CG (n = 30) performed stretching exercises of the same muscle groups exercised by IG. The outcome measures were: VAS (visual analogue scale) for pain; one repetition maximum (1RM) test to assess muscle strength; FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) to assess the impact of the disease; and SF-36 (Short Form Health Survey) to assess quality of life. All participants underwent an evaluation at the beginning and after 6 and 12 weeks of training.

Results:

The two groups were homogeneous regarding demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline. The IG showed statistically significant improvement (p <0.05) in VAS and FIQ compared to GC in T6 and T12. In addition, the IG showed improvement of muscle strength in almost all prescribed exercises compared to the control group. Both groups improved general quality of life, but without significant differences between groups. No adverse events were reported in both groups.

Conclusion:

The treatment of fibromyalgia with strengthening exercises using a Swiss ball determined improvement in pain, quality of life related to disease and muscle strength compared with the stretching exercises without deleterious effects.

---

« Back to 2013 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting

ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/strengthening-exercises-using-a-swiss-ball-improve-symptoms-and-muscle-performance-of-patients-with-fibromyalgia-a-randomized-controlled-study/