Article

OBJECTIVE: To explore the associations between physical (both self-report and objective
measures) and cognitive function for persons with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN: Correlational study. SETTING: An exercise testing laboratory in southern
California. PARTICIPANTS: Community-residing and functionally independent (not
wheelchair-bound) adults meeting the American College of Rheumatology 1990
criteria for FM (N=51) with a mean age of 54 years and no history of stroke.
INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Composite Physical Function
Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, adapted Trail Making Test parts A
(TMT-A) and B (TMT-B), Digit Symbol Substitution Test, a composite index of
TMT-A, TMT-B, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test combined, and physical
performance assessments. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that
better objective physical performance predicted increased cognitive function for
TMT-A and the composite cognitive score after controlling for age and symptom
burden. That is, as the physical performance level decreased, cognitive
performance levels decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that research is
needed to determine whether patterns of physical activity participation, through
their effects on physical fitness and performance, can enhance cognitive
performance in persons with FM. Physiologic changes in specific brain regions in
FM (eg, hippocampus, neural pain regions) suggest that further research is also
warranted in determining specific relationships between biomarkers and cognitive
performance in persons with FM.

Langue : ANGLAIS