ORIGINAL
PAPERS –
abstractThe
role of home-training in the management of fibromyalgia - a randomized
controlled trial Rodica Traistaru1,
Daniela Matei1, Diana Dragoi2,
Roxana Popescu1, Ligia Rusu3,
V.N.Parvulescu1 1
University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania 2
Emergency County Hospital No 1, Craiova, Romania 3
University of Craiova, Romania
Abstract
Our
6-week randomized, single-blind controlled clinical trial (included 56
Caucasians patients - 9 males, 47 females - average age 51.3 years)
evaluated the efficacy of home-aerobic training for reducing pain and
associated symptoms in patients with primary fibromyalgia. Patients
were randomized into two groups: group 1 – twenty nine
patients (G1) was treated by complex therapy (patient education,
pharmacotherapy, TENS, massage, physical training – five
times a week for the two weeks, follow-up by a 6 week home-training
program), and group 2 – twenty-seven patients (G2) acted as
controls, receiving no home-training program. Parameters measured were:
the number of tender points (NO), pain (visual analogue scale - VAS),
perceived exertion and quality of life (Spitzer scale), value of
Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). The statistical
analysis was performed with the use of a SPSS (Windows version 6.1). The
quality of life, assessed with Spitzer scale, had significant
improvement only for G1. Home-training patients showed significant
improvement in the mean pain score compared to control group, and were
significantly more likely to have 56.5 % reduction in pain from
baseline Improvements in self-reported disability were seen with the
home-training group (FIQ had 14.5 % reduction in G1) as compared to the
control group (FIQ had only 6 % reduction). The number of tender points
for patients in the G1 decreased significantly more than the number for
those in the G2. Individually tailored exercise programmes
including aerobic exercise and strength training can be beneficial to
some patients with fibromyalgia.
Key
words:fibromyalgia,
home-training, quality of life
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