OP0277-HPR Evaluation of the effectiveness of a progressive resistance training program for patients with fibromyalgia: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, not inflammatory, characterised by the presence of diffuse pain and painful points. Commonly, it is linked to other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disorders, morning stiffness; and psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. The medical treatment of FM brings benefits in the short term. For long-term benefits it is usually associated with non-medicated treatment, such as patient education, physical conditioning, rehabilitation and psychological therapy. In this study, we used the progressive resistance training, which is muscle strengthening performed through the gradual increase of load during the training period. Objectives: To evaluate the impact of a global progressive resistance training program on pain, quality of life, functional capacity and muscular strength in patients with fibromyalgia Methods: Sixty patients were randomised into2 groups: experimental group and control group. Patients in the experimental group underwent a progressive resistance training program, performed twice a week for 12 weeks. The charge intensity was progressively increased from 40% to 80% of 1RM. The following muscle groups were worked: trunk flexors and extensors, elbow flexors and extensors, knee flexors and extensors, hip abductors and adductors and shoulder abductors. In addition to strength training, the experimental group also received a structured education program in one hour class once a week for five weeks. Patients in the control group received the same education program. Results: After the intervention, significant improvements were observed in the experimental group in comparison with control group over time for the following parameters: pain (p=0.004), FIQ (p=0.021), quality of life (with statistically significant improvement for all the SF-36 domains), functional capacity, assessed by the 6 min walk test (p=0.045), and muscle strength (with statistically significant improvement for all muscle groups trained). The intergroup and intragroup comparisons were showed in table 1. Conclusions: The progressive resistance training program was effective in improving pain, quality of life, functional capacity and muscular strength of patients with fibromyalgia. (Table Presented).