The effects of a 12-week strength-training program on strength and functionality in women with fibromyalgia.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether women with fibromyalgia benefit from strength training.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Testing was completed at the university and training was completed at a local community wellness facility.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-nine women (age range, 18-54 y) with fibromyalgia participated. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control (n=14; wait-listed for exercise) or strength (n=15) group. After the first 4 weeks, 7 (47%) women dropped from the strength group.

INTERVENTION

Subjects underwent 12 weeks of training on 11 exercises, 2 times a week, performing 1 set of 8 to 12 repetitions at 40% to 60% of their maximal lifts and were progressed to 60% to 80%.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Subjects were measured for strength, functionality, tender point sensitivity, and fibromyalgia impact.

RESULTS

The strength group significantly (P< or =.05) improved upper- (strength, 39+/-11 to 42+/-12 kg; control, 38+/-13 to 38+/-12 kg) and lower- (strength, 68+/-28 to 82+/-25 kg; control, 61+/-25 to 61+/-26 kg) body strength. Upper-body functionality measured by the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance test improved significantly (strength, 44+/-11 to 50+/-16U; control, 51+/-11 to 49+/-13U) after training. Tender point sensitivity and fibromyalgia impact did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

Strength training improved strength and some functionality in women with fibromyalgia. Interventions with resistance have important implications on independence and quality of life issues for women with fibromyalgia.