title: Evaluation of the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise program and the personality characteristics of patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a pilot study.
abstract: [Purpose] The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 6-week aerobic exercise program on pain, physical function, and psychological status, and to evaluate the personality characteristics of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen women with FMS were enrolled. They were trained for a 6-week home-based aerobic exercise program. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the visual analog scale of pain and sleep quality were measured at baseline and at the end of week 6. The personality profiles were evaluated using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). [Results] After the exercise program, significant improvements were determined in pain, sleep quality, physical function, depression and FMS symptoms compared to baseline. In addition, the hysteria item (71.21±8.84) of the MMPI was significantly higher in FMS. [Conclusion] Our findings indicate that home-based aerobic exercise may be a useful treatment in the management of FMS. Personality characteristics should be considered during the planning process of the treatment of FMS. Personality is a filter between life events and psychological responses. It is defined to be the integration of effective and behavioral patterns. Long-term studies involving larger clinical samples are needed to define the role of personality characteristics in FMS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Meltem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vural
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tonguc Demir
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Berkol
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Private Bati Bahat Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Erdogdu
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Keramettin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pekedis
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Turkey.
authors.forename: Batuhan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kuçukserat
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cihan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aksoy
keywords: Aerobic exercise; Fibromyalgia syndrome; Personality characteristics