The effect of 6-week exercise programme and whole body vibration on strength and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a randomised study

CER831
2010 Vol.28, N°6 ,Suppl.63
PI 0040, PF 0045
Full Papers

Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)

PMID: 21122265 [PubMed]

Received: 15/01/2010
Accepted : 22/03/2010
In Press: 22/12/2010
Published: 20/12/2010

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-week traditional exercise programme with supplementary whole-body vibration (WBV) in improving strength and health status in women with fibromyalgia (FM).
METHODS:
Thirty postmenopausal women with FM (mean (SD) age: 59 (7.90) years) were randomised into one of two groups, one intervention group (GEV n=15), which combined exercise training (two days a week) with three days of WBV (3 sets of 45s at 20Hz-3 mm and four sets of unilateral static squats at 20Hz-2mm) and another control group (n=15), that performed the same physical activity programme but without vibration training (GEnV). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the global score of the SF-36 were used to assess functional capacity and quality of life. Two additional tests were employed to assess muscle strength. Baseline data and pre-test and post-test data were collected before and after the six-week intervention period.
RESULTS:
Significant improvements in all outcomes measured were found from baseline in both groups. A 5% improvement from baseline in total FIQ score was observed in the exercise groups (p≤0.05), and was accompaniedby reductions in SF36 scores of 9.8% (p<0.001) and 7.9% (p<0.001) in the GEV and GEnV group, respectively. Improvements were also observed in muscle strength in both groups but greater in the GEV group.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results suggest that women with FMS can gain additional health benefits by engaging in a 6-week traditional exercise programme with supplementary WBV.