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 .
Effectiveness of physical activity in reducing pain in patients with fibromyalgia: a blinded randomized clinical trial
The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of muscle-strengthening exercises ( MS ) and a walking program ( WA ) in reducing pain in patients with fibromyalgia . Ninety women , 30–55 years of age , diagnosed with fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria , were r and omized into 3 groups : WA Group , MS Group , and control group . Pain ( visual analog scale ) was evaluated as the primary outcome . Physical functioning ( Fibromyalgia Impact Question naire , FIQ ) , health-related quality of life ( Short-Form 36 Health Survey , SF-36 ) , and use of medication were evaluated as secondary outcomes . Assessment s were performed at baseline , 8 , 16 , and 28 weeks . Intention-to-treat and efficacy analyses were conducted . Sixty-eight patients completed the treatment protocol . All 3 groups showed improvement after the 16-week treatment compared to baseline . At the 28-week follow-up , pain reduction was similar for the WA and MS groups ( P = 0.39 ) , but different from the control group ( P = 0.01 ) . At the end of the treatment , 80 % of subjects in the control group took pain medication , but only 46.7 % in the WA and 41.4 % in the MS  groups . Mean FIQ total scores were lower for the WA and MS groups ( P = 0.96 ) compared with the control group ( P < 0.01 ) . Patients in the WA and MS groups reported higher scores ( better health status ) than controls in almost all SF-36 subscales . MS was as effective as WA in reducing pain regarding all study variables ; however , symptoms management during the follow-up period was more efficient in the WA group
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 .