Role of exercise rehabilitation in fibromyalgia syndrome patients

Abstract EN

Objective : The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of exercise in improving the physical function and mood in fibromyalgia syndrome patients (FMS).

Methodology : Forty female FMS patients were included in this study.

They were assigned to an exercise program and the subjects were tested at entry and at 20 weeks.

Tests included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), six-minute walk test, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), a measure of tender points and knee strength.

Results : Our results showed that all variables measuring physical function improved significantly after exercise from baseline to end of treatment.

Conclusions : this study supports the role of exercise rehabilitation in the management of FMS.

We have found improvement in physical function and mood of patients with FMS.

Exercise led to significantly more improvement in physical function and mood.

Exercise is a simple, cheap, effective and potentially widely available treatment for FMS patients.