title: Pain perception after isometric exercise in women with fibromyalgia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to identify exercise protocols incorporating isometric contractions that provide pain relief in women with fibromyalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A before-after trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A physical therapy department in an academic setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen women (mean ± SD, 52±11y) with fibromyalgia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects completed 4 sessions: 1 familiarization and 3 experimental. The following randomized experimental sessions involved the performance of isometric contractions with the elbow flexor muscles that varied in intensity and duration: (1) 3 maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs), (2) 25% MVC held to task failure, and (3) 25% MVC held for 2 minutes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental pain (pain threshold and pain rating), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and fibromyalgia pain intensity (visual analog scale).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After all 3 isometric contractions, there was considerable variability between subjects in the pain response. Based on the changes in experimental pain, subjects were divided into 3 groups (increase, decrease, no change in pain). Multiple regression analysis revealed that age, baseline experimental pain, and change in fibromyalgia pain intensity were significant predictors of the experimental pain response after the isometric contractions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We identified subgroups of women with fibromyalgia based on how they perceived pain after isometric contractions. The greatest pain relief for women with fibromyalgia occurred at a younger age and in women with the greatest experimental pain before exercise. Additionally, we established a link between experimental and clinical pain relief after the performance of isometric contractions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA. mariehoeger.bement@marquette.edu
authors.forename: Marie K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Hoeger Bement
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weyer
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hartley
authors.forename: Breanna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drewek
authors.forename: April L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Harkins
authors.forename: Sandra K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008875:Middle Aged; D058748:Pain Perception; D017288:Pain Threshold; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone