Article

The purpose of this study was to identify exercise protocols
incorporating isometric contractions that provide pain relief in women with
fibromyalgia. DESIGN: A before-after trial. SETTING: A physical therapy
department in an academic setting. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen women (mean +/- SD,
52+/-11y) with fibromyalgia. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects completed 4 sessions: 1
familiarization and 3 experimental. The following randomized experimental
sessions involved the performance of isometric contractions with the elbow flexor
muscles that varied in intensity and duration: (1) 3 maximal voluntary
contractions (MVCs), (2) 25% MVC held to task failure, and (3) 25% MVC held for 2
minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Experimental pain (pain threshold and pain
rating), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and fibromyalgia pain intensity
(visual analog scale). RESULTS: After all 3 isometric contractions, there was
considerable variability between subjects in the pain response. Based on the
changes in experimental pain, subjects were divided into 3 groups (increase,
decrease, no change in pain). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age,
baseline experimental pain, and change in fibromyalgia pain intensity were
significant predictors of the experimental pain response after the isometric
contractions. CONCLUSIONS: We identified subgroups of women with fibromyalgia
based on how they perceived pain after isometric contractions. The greatest pain
relief for women with fibromyalgia occurred at a younger age and in women with
the greatest experimental pain before exercise. Additionally, we established a
link between experimental and clinical pain relief after the performance of
isometric contractions.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS