The effect of extremity strength training on fibromyalgia symptoms and disease impact in an existing multidisciplinary treatment program.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upper and lower body extremity strengthening exercise in patients with Fibromyalgia (FM) within an existing multidisciplinary treatment program.


METHODS
Patients between the ages of 18-65 with the medical diagnosis of FM.


METHODS
Comparative study design. The control and experimental group received the same multidisciplinary treatment except that the experimental group performed upper and lower extremity strengthening exercises.


METHODS
The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was administered at evaluation and discharge from the program in order to measure change in quality of life (QOL).


RESULTS
Statistically significant changes in FIQ scores were found for both groups. The addition of extremity strengthening in the experimental group produced an average 4 points greater reduction in FIQ score, however, these results are not considered statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
This study appears to validate the success of a multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with FM, with the possibility for further benefit with the addition of extremity strengthening.
Grand Valley State University, HRRC File No. 14-003-H, USA.
Tamara
T
Kas
Grand Valley State University, HRRC File No. 14-003-H, USA. Electronic address: colbymn4@gmail.com.
Megan
M
Colby
Grand Valley State University, HRRC File No. 14-003-H, USA.
Maureen
M
Case
Grand Valley State University, Cook-DeVos Center for Health Science, 301 Michigan St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA.
Dan
D
Vaughn
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D055070:Resistance Training / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
Exercise; Extremity strength training; Fibromyalgia; Multidisciplinary