Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for Improving Health Status in Patients With Fibromyalgia
Condition: Fibromyalgia; Vestibular Disease; Postural Balance; Vestibular Rehabilitation
MeSH terms: Fibromyalgia; Myofascial Pain Syndromes; Vestibular Diseases
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The purpose of this study is to analyze the effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation for
      improving balance and quality of life of patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (SFM). Recruited
      subjects will be randomly assigned to an experimental group or control group (placebo). The
      experimental group will receive a standard Vestibular Rehabilitation program focused on eye
      stabilization and Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex (VOR) gain with the aim of improving motor and
      sensory strategies, while the control group will carry out a conventional rehabilitation
      program that will not include sensory strategy training. The frequency of treatment for both
      groups will be twice/week, along with daily performing (2 times/day, 5 days/week) of
      exercises at home. The total duration will be 8 weeks. The outcome measure are: disease
      impact (FIQ), perceived vertigo (DHI), and confidence in balance (ABC), at pre-treatment,
      post-treatment, one month follow-up and three months follow-up.
    

Detailed description: 
      Fibromyalgia Syndrome (SFM) affects approximately 0.5 - 5% of the global population with
      ambiguity in diagnosis, physiopathology uncertainty and complex treatment.

      Recent studies have shown frequent episodes of postural instability in SFM patients. This
      balance affectation seems to correlate with disturbances of quality of life, pain, impact of
      the disease, daily life activities and increased risk of falls. However, there is still
      controversy over the exact mechanism that explains this nonspecific balance disorder. Despite
      this preliminary finding of a possible visual and vestibular disorder, there are not known
      studies justifying the alteration of vestibular functions present in Fibromyalgia. Also, the
      are not certainty that Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) provides short- and medium-term
      benefits.

      Derived from the deficiencies observed in the revised literature, we propose to analyze the
      effectiveness of a Vestibular Rehabilitation program improving the balance and quality of
      life of people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome (SFM).

      Therefore, a randomized, simple blind, two-group parallel controlled clinical trial has been
      designed to assess the effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation treatment focused on eye
      stabilization exercises.

      Subjects will be recruited from the Jaén Fibromyalgia Association (AFIXA) and randomly
      assigned to an experimental group or control group (placebo). Subjects who are diagnosed with
      SFM and between 18 and 70 years of age will be selected.

      The experimental group will receive a standard Vestibular Rehabilitation program focused on
      the stabilization of the eye and gain of the Vestibulo-Oculo Reflex (VOR), while in the
      control group a conventional rehabilitation program will be carried out without visual
      stimulation. The frequency of treatment for both groups will be twice/week, along with daily
      exercises at home (2 times/day). The total duration will be 8 weeks. Measurements will be
      made in pretreatment, aftertreatment and one month follow-up and three months follow-up.
    

Intervention name(s): Vestibular Rehabilitation Exercises; Conventional Rehabilitation exercises
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): The Vestibular Rehabilitation program focuses on stabilizing the gaze and gaining the Vestibular Ocular Reflex (VOR). The general mechanisms of recovery from vestibular injuries are vestibular adaptation and replacement exercises, which are designed to improve gaze stability and the interaction between sight and the vestibular system during head movements. The exercises will be carried out progressively according to the tolerance of the patient, varying the stimulus in intensity and frequency.; The conventional rehabilitation program in which exercises are performed to improve joint range, flexibility, and gait. It will always be done with the eyes open, on a firm surface and will not include training in sensory strategies
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Fibromyalgia; Vestibular Disease; Postural Balance; Vestibular Rehabilitation