Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate exercise recommendations in patients newly diagnosed with
fibromyalgia. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. SETTING: A public university
rheumatology clinic. PATIENTS: Patients newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia (N =
122). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Frequency and type of exercise recommendations.
RESULTS: The mean (standard deviation) age of these patients with fibromyalgia
was 45 +/- 12 years; 91% were women. Exercise was recommended as part of the
documented treatment plan in 47% of these patients (57/122); only 3 patients had
a documented contraindication for exercise. Aquatic exercise was most frequently
recommended (56% [32/57]), followed by combined aquatic-aerobic exercise (26%
[15/57]), and, infrequently, aerobic exercise only (5% [3/57]); only 7% of these
patients (4/57) were referred for physical therapy. The primary method of
communication was verbal discussion (94% [54/57]). CONCLUSIONS: Although there is
well-documented evidence that exercise is beneficial for patients with
fibromyalgia, we found that less than half of patients with newly diagnosed
fibromyalgia in our study were provided recommendations to initiate an exercise
program as part of their treatment plan. Further investigation of these findings
are warranted, including evaluation of other university and community
rheumatology practices as well as that of other physicians caring for patients
with fibromyalgia. However, our findings indicate that there appears to be an
opportunity to provide more specific and practical education regarding the
implementation of an exercise regimen for patients with newly diagnosed
fibromyalgia. Physiatrists may be particularly well suited to manage the exercise
component of patients with fibromyalgia because of their specialized training in
exercise prescription.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS