Conclusion The main results included reduction in pain , fatigue , number of tender points , depression , and anxiety , with increased functional capacity and quality of life .
Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is characterized by chronic and generalized musculoskeletal pain .
There is currently no cure for FM , but palliative treatments are available .
One type of treatment is strength training ( ST ) .
However , there is a need for more information on optimal training protocol s , intensity , and volume needed to improve symptoms .
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of ST in the treatment of FM through a systematic review of experimental research .
Strengthening Exercises Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life but Do Not Change Autonomic Modulation in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Objective Autonomic dysfunction is an important mechanism that could explain many symptoms observed in fibromyalgia ( FM ) .  Exercise is an effective treatment , with benefits potentially mediated through changes in autonomic modulation . Strengthening is one of the less studied exercises in FM , and the acute and chronic effects of strengthening on the autonomic system remain unknown . The objective of this study was to assess the chronic effects of strengthening exercises ( STRE ) on autonomic modulation , pain perception and the quality of life ( QOL ) of FM patients . Methods Eighty sedentary women with FM ( ACR 1990 ) were r and omly selected to participate in STRE or flexibility ( FLEX ) exercises in a blinded controlled trial . The intensity of STRE was set at 45 % of the estimated load of 1 Repetition Maximum ( RM ) in 12 different exercises . Outcomes were Visual Analog Scale ( VAS ) for pain , Heart Rate Variability ( HRV ) analysis , treadmill test , the sit and reach test ( Wells and Dillon ’s Bench ) , maximal repetitions test and h and grip dynamometry ; and quality of life by the Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire ( FIQ ) , the Beck and I date Trait-State Inventory ( I DATE ) , a short-form health survey ( SF-36 ) . Results The STRE group was more effective to strength gain for all muscles and pain control after 4 and 16 weeks ( p<0.05 ) . The FLEX group showed higher improvements in anxiety ( p<0.05 ) . Both groups showed improvements in the QOL , and there was no significant difference observed between the groups . There was no change in the HRV of the STRE and FLEX groups . Conclusions Strengthening exercises show greater and more rapid improvements in pain and strength than flexibility exercises . Despite the benefits in fitness , pain , depression , anxiety and quality of life , no effect was observed on the autonomic modulation in both groups . This observation suggests that changes in autonomic modulation are not a target tobe clinical ly achieved in fibromyalgia . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov
Conclusion The main results included reduction in pain , fatigue , number of tender points , depression , and anxiety , with increased functional capacity and quality of life .
Background Fibromyalgia ( FM ) is characterized by chronic and generalized musculoskeletal pain .
There is currently no cure for FM , but palliative treatments are available .
One type of treatment is strength training ( ST ) .
However , there is a need for more information on optimal training protocol s , intensity , and volume needed to improve symptoms .
The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of ST in the treatment of FM through a systematic review of experimental research .