A controlled study of the effects of a supervised cardiovascular fitness training program on the manifestations of primary fibromyalgia

Abstract

Forty-two patients with primary fibromyalgia were randomized into a 20-week program consisting of either cardiovascular fitness (CVR) training or simple flexibility exercises (FLEX) that did not lead to enhanced cardiovascular fitness. Patients were supervised by the same medical fitness instructors. Patients in neither group had contact with members of the other group, and were blinded as to the exercise taught to the alternative group. Groups met for 60 minutes 3 times each week. The compliance rate was 90%. Thirty-eight patients completed the study (18 with CVR training and 20 with FLEX). Blind assessments (standardized in preliminary trials to achieve acceptable inter-rater agreement) were performed by the same 2 examiners. After 20 weeks, patients receiving CVR training showed significantly improved cardiovascular fitness scores compared with those receiving FLEX training (t[35] = -4.22, P < 0.003). Logistic regression analysis showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in pain threshold scores, which were measured directly over fibrositic tender points, in patients undergoing CVR (a351 = 2.21, P < 0.04).

Primary juvenile fibromyalgia. Psychological adjustment, family functioning, coping, and functional disability

“…Preliminary studies of children (24) and adults (25) with fibromyalgia have suggested that cognitive-behavioral treatments should be effective. Based on research with adult patients (26), interventions should also target cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility. In contrast with what Gedalia et a1 (27) have suggested, the efficacy of psychologically based treatments neither confirms, nor denies, an underlying psychological basis for a disorder.…”

Managing future Gulf War Syndromes: international lessons and new models of care

“…Physical exercise is another clinical strategy that has been shown to have a number of positive effects on health and well-being across many health conditions, and efforts to bolster physical activation and functioning are common in multifaceted programmes for chronic symptoms and disability (McCain et al 1988;Fulcher & White 1997;Frost et al 1998;Wearden et al 1998). Evidence favours supervised, graduated and early return to work for improving role functioning among patients with chronic symptoms and disability.…”

Benefícios dos exercícios físicos na fibromialgia

“…Este estudo demonstrou que a privação do sono diminuia o limiar de dor em sedentá-rios, mas o mesmo não acontecia em indivíduos treinados. Apenas uma década mais tarde, ensaios clínicos foram publicados demonstrando que exercícios aeróbios diminuem a dor na FM (6) . A Tabela 1 sintetiza os resultados, desenhos, instrumentos e desfechos dos principais estudos sobre exercício na FM, desde 1988FM, desde até 2005 Nos últimos 20 anos, foram publicados 28 ensaios clínicos sobre exercício no tratamento da FM, incluindo aproximadamente 1500 pacientes.…”

“…A Tabela 1 sintetiza os resultados, desenhos, instrumentos e desfechos dos principais estudos sobre exercício na FM, desde 1988FM, desde até 2005 Nos últimos 20 anos, foram publicados 28 ensaios clínicos sobre exercício no tratamento da FM, incluindo aproximadamente 1500 pacientes. Desses, 12 avaliaram o condicionamento aeróbio (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17) …”