What Is the Effect of Strength Training on Pain and Sleep in Patients With Fibromyalgia?

Abstract

Strength training is safe and effective in treating people with fibromyalgia, and a significant decrease in sleep disturbances occurs after 8 wks of intervention.

Resistance Training Improves Quality of Life and Associated Factors in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

“…Our results did not show significant differences in sleep quality after 4 weeks of intervention. However, other studies such as those by Andrade et al and Bircan et al showed that RT had a significant benefit for sleep disturbances. Bircan et al compared the effects of RT and aerobic exercise and reported that both interventions resulted in significant improvement in sleep quality; meanwhile, no significant difference was found between the groups.…”

“…Because pain is the predominant symptom in FM, with a large impact on quality of life, several authors have examined this variable. Bircan et al, Gavi et al, Kingsley et al, and Andrade et al evaluated the effect of RT on pain and they reported divergent results. Andrade et al evaluated patients with FM after 8 weeks of RT three times a week; at the end of the study, no significant difference in pain was observed.…”

“…Bircan et al, Gavi et al, Kingsley et al, and Andrade et al evaluated the effect of RT on pain and they reported divergent results. Andrade et al evaluated patients with FM after 8 weeks of RT three times a week; at the end of the study, no significant difference in pain was observed. The result was similar to that reported by Kingsley et al, who observed reduction in pain at only one tender point.…”

“…The intervention was conducted in the gymnasium of Santa Catarina State University. The exercise protocol was similar to that used in other studies; the load was determined subjectively, according to the tolerance of the patient and mainly exercised large muscle groups. The intervention was performed three times a week for 4 weeks, with 3 sets of 12 repetitions, and a 1‐minute rest between sets.…”

“…The PSQI provides information about sleep duration, quality, and sleep latency. Our study used a short version of the PSQI that was adapted and validated for Brazil, already used in another study . This version evaluates the quality of sleep in the prior 7 days; it consists of 9 questions that evaluate the quality, latency, duration, and efficiency of sleep.…”