title: Fibromyalgia syndrome: the beneficial effects of exercise.
abstract: This article highlights positive outcomes for a convenience sample of six women (49-64 years of age) with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who participated in an exercise program over 5 years. This group showed improvement with various FMS symptoms,fitness, and psychosocial factors early in the program, then showed further improvement as a result of adding new exercises to the protocol during the fourth and fifth years. Data suggest that certain people with FMS can improve their functional capacity with exercise over time, and move to even higher levels of physical function while aging and coping with FMS. Practical advice is provided for rehabilitation nurses regarding exercise and FMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Exercise and Sport Science, School of Health and Human Performance, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, USA. wbkarper@uncg.org
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Karper
authors.forename: Caroline R F
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Jannes
authors.forename: Janis L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hampton
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018737:Hand Strength; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010807:Physical Endurance; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking