Category Archives: Fibromyalgia

Improvement in Leg Static Balance

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2012 Feb;52(1):85-91.

Whole body vibration improves the single-leg stance static balance in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

Adsuar JC, Del Pozo-Cruz B, Parraca JA, Olivares PR, Gusi N.

Source: Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Extremadura, Caceres, Spain.

Abstract

AIM: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain. Fibromyalgia is associated with balance problems and increased fall frequency. Whole-body vibration therapy had been used for improve balance in special populations but not in fibromyalgia. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of 12 weeks of tilting whole-body vibration therapy on static balance in fibromyalgia patients.

METHODS: Women with FM were randomly and sequentially assigned to either the vibration group (N.=21) or the control group (N.=20) based on a randomly generated number table, and a code number was assigned to each participant. All participants received standard care that included medical care through the public health system (hospital and outpatient clinic, including primary care) and social support through the local fibromyalgia association. Participants in the exercise group received whole-body vibration therapy (12 weeks, 12.5 Hz frequency and 3 mm amplitude). Outcome measure was determined using postural stability indices (overall, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral) assessed by the Biodex Balance System in a single dominant limb stance.

RESULTS: Treatment effect after 12-weeks of tilting whole body vibration therapy were 57.1% on overall stability and 66.6% on anterior-posterior stability.

CONCLUSION: Tilting whole-body vibration therapy effectively improves static balance in patients with FM.

Fibromyalgia Balance Improvements

J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Feb;18(2):158-64. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0881. Epub 2012 Feb

Effect of whole-body vibration exercise on balance in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Sañudo B, de Hoyo M, Carrasco L, Rodríguez-Blanco C, Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A, McVeigh JG.

 

Source:  Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville, Seville, Spain. bsancor@us.es

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES:  This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-week “usual care” exercise program supplemented with whole-body vibration (WBV) to improve balance and strength in women with fibromyalgia (FM).

DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled study.

SETTINGS: The setting was a physical therapy department in an academic setting.

SUBJECTS: The subjects were 30 postmenopausal women with FM (age: 59±7.90 years). Interventions: Subjects were randomized into one of two groups: an experimental group (EG: n=15), which combined exercise training (2 days a week) with 3 days of WBV, and a control group (CG: n=15), who performed the same exercise training program (2 days a week) but without WBV.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Balance and muscle strength were measured at baseline and after the 6-week intervention.

RESULTS: Significant differences were found (p<0.05) between the study groups for the Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI), when patients were assessed with their eyes open and closed. The effect size of the improvement was large with eyes closed (R2=0.260) and moderate when the eyes were open (R2=0.047). However, no significant differences were found (p>0.05) between the study groups for other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: Women with FM may increase their MLSI by engaging in a 6-week traditional exercise program with supplementary WBV. This may have implications for falls prevention in this patient group.

PMID:  22321155

Tilting Vibration Improves Quality of Life

J Altern Complement Med. 2011 Aug;17(8):723-8. doi: 10.1089/acm.2010.0296. Epub 2011 Jul 12.

Tilting Whole Body Vibration improves quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

Olivares PR, Gusi N, Parraca JA, Adsuar JC, Del Pozo-Cruz B.

SourceFaculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of 12-week tilting Whole Body Vibration therapy (WBV) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in fibromylagia (FM) within the context of a randomized control trial (ISRCTN16950947).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six (36) women with FM were randomly allocated to either an exercise or a control group. The women in the exercise group were assigned to a 12-week course of tilting WBV (12.5-Hz frequency; 3-mm amplitude). HRQoL was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and a 15D questionnaire.

RESULTS: A 12-week course of tilting WBV therapy was associated with improvements in FIQ scores (12%) but not in the 15D questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS: Tilting WBV was a feasible intervention that prevented the loss of HRQoL in previously physically untrained women with FM.

PMID: 21749265

 

Improve Dynamic Balance

Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2010 Aug;62(8):1072-8. doi: 10.1002/acr.20180.

Tilt vibratory exercise and the dynamic balance in fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial.

Gusi N, Parraca JA, Olivares PR, Leal A, Adsuar JC.

Source

University of Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain. ngusi@unex.es

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of tilt whole-body vibration (WBV) for improving dynamic balance in women with fibromyalgia (FM).

METHODS:  Forty-one women (ages 41-65 years) were randomly assigned to either a vibration (n = 21) or control (n = 20) group. The vibration intervention consisted of a 30-minute session of instruction plus 3 sessions of WBV per week over a period of 12 weeks. Each vibration session consisted of 6 repetitions of a 45-60-second 12.5-Hz vibration. The posture of the patient was lateral. Dynamic balance was assessed with a balance platform, and the level of stability could be controlled. We performed intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis and efficacy analysis in participants who completed the study (vibration, n = 18; control, n = 18).

RESULTS:  Based on ITT analysis, the dynamic balance of the vibration group improved by 36% as compared with baseline, whereas that of the control group was unchanged. Differences in the dynamic balance index were predicted (61%; P < 0.001) by the following linear model: (0.027 x body weight) – (0.800 x dynamic balance at baseline) – (0.632 x group).

CONCLUSION:  The vibration program was useful and feasible for improving dynamic balance in women with FM. These novel results support further research aimed at the development of physical therapy programs that utilize controlled vibration.

PMID: 20235191

Improve Pain & Fatigue

J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Oct;14(8):975-81. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0050.

Six weeks of whole-body vibration exercise improves pain and fatigue in women with fibromyalgia.

Alentorn-Geli E, Padilla J, Moras G, Lázaro Haro C, Fernández-Solà J.

Source Laboratory of Biomechanics, INEF-Exercise and Sport Sciences School, University of Barcelona, Spain. ealentorngelifm@yahoo.es

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-week traditional exercise program with supplementary whole-body vibration (WBV) in improving health status, physical functioning, and main symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) in women with FM.

METHODS:  Thirty-six (36) women with FM (mean +/- standard error of the mean age 55.97 +/- 1.55) were randomized into 3 treatment groups: exercise and vibration (EVG), exercise (EG), and control (CG). Exercise therapy, consisting of aerobic activities, stretching, and relaxation techniques, was performed twice a week (90 min/day). Following each exercise session, the EVG underwent a protocol with WBV, whereas the EG performed the same protocol without vibratory stimulus. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was administered at baseline and 6 weeks following the initiation of the treatments. Estimates of pain, fatigue, stiffness, and depression were also reported using the visual analogue scale.

RESULTS:  A significant 3 x 2 (group x time)-repeated measures analysis of variance interaction was found for pain (p = 0.018) and fatigue (p = 0.002) but not for FIQ (p = 0.069), stiffness (p = 0.142), or depression (p = 0.654). Pain and fatigue scores were significantly reduced from baseline in the EVG, but not in the EG or CG. In addition, the EVG showed significantly lower pain and fatigue scores at week 6 compared to the CG, whereas no significant differences were found between the EG and CG (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION:  Results suggest that a 6-week traditional exercise program with supplementary WBV safely reduces pain and fatigue, whereas exercise alone fails to induce improvements.

PMID: 18990045