Article

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a long-term exercise programme vs usual care
on perceived health status, functional capacity and depression in patients with
fibromyalgia. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SUBJECTS: Forty-two women with
fibromyalgia were allocated randomly to 1 of 2 groups: an experimental group that
carried out aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises for 24 weeks and a usual
care control group. METHODS: Health status and functional capacity were evaluated
using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Short Form Health Survey 36.
Depression was evaluated with the Beck Depression Inventory. RESULTS: Significant
improvements were observed in health status and functional capacity for the
exercise group over the control group. The magnitude of the effect size of these
improvements, expressed as Cohen's d, was medium. The effect size (95% confidence
interval) for the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was 0.58 (-14.12, -2.35), for
the Short Form Health Survey 36. global score 0.54 (1.28, 14.52), and in the
mental health domain of the Short Form Health Survey 36. 0.51 (1.20, 16.26).
There was a large effect size in vitality. All the aforementioned improvements
can be considered as clinically important changes. CONCLUSION: Results confirm
that a long-term combination of aerobic exercise, strengthening and flexibility
improves psychological health status and health-related quality of life in
patients with fibromyalgia.

Langue : ANGLAIS