title: The 6-minute walk test in female fibromyalgia patients: relationship with tenderness, symptomatology, quality of life, and coping strategies.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and tenderness, symptomatology, quality of life, and coping strategies in women with fibromyalgia. One hundred eighteen women with fibromyalgia aged 51.9 ± 7.3 years participated in the study. The examination included the 6-MWT, tender points, and the following questionnaires: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36), and Vanderbilt Pain Management Inventory. Fair correlations between the 6-MWT and the subscales of physical impairment (FIQ) and physical function (SF-36) were observed (ρ -0.365 and 0.347, respectively, both p < .001). The 6-MWT showed a weak relationship with tenderness (ρ 0.201 and -0.191 for algometer score and tender points count, respectively, both p < .05). The relationship between the 6-MWT and global score of FIQ, and FIQ subscales of pain and fatigue were weak (ρ -0.201, -0.211, and -0.226, respectively, all p < .05). The 6-MWT showed a weak relationship with bodily pain and vitality scales of SF-36 (ρ 0.256 and 0.258, respectively, both p = .005) and with passive and active coping strategies (ρ -0.255 and 0.223, both p < .05). This study in women with fibromyalgia shows significant relationships, ranging from weak to fair, between the 6-MWT and tenderness, symptomatology, quality of life, and coping strategies. These findings indicate that functional capacity, as assessed by the distance walked in 6 minutes, might be important when planning the assessment, treatment, and monitoring of patients with fibromyalgia.
authors: Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Education Sciences, University of Seville, Spain. Electronic address: anellba@ugr.es.
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Carbonell-Baeza
authors: Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Unit for Preventive Nutrition at NOVUM, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors: Jonatan R
authors: JR
authors: Ruiz
authors: Department of Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Nutrition and Fodd Technology.
authors: Virginia A
authors: VA
authors: Aparicio
authors: Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Education Sciences, University of Seville, Spain; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors: Francisco B
authors: FB
authors: Ortega
authors: Department of Physical Education and Sport, School of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Delgado-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005221:Fatigue / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D063806:Myalgia / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking