Assessment of Muscle Thickness in Patients With Fibromyalgia
Condition: Fibromyalgia
MeSH terms: Fibromyalgia; Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      To investigate the muscle thickness in patients with fibromyalgia (FMS) and whether there is
      an increase in muscle thickness, strength, and function with stretching and strengthening
      exercise therapy in FMS patients.
    

Detailed description: 
      Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common non-inflammatory disease characterized by
      musculoskeletal pain and is often seen in women between the ages of 40-60. Fatigue, weakness,
      sleep problems, depression, anxiety, and various cognitive and somatic disorders can be
      accompanied with widespread pain. Etiology and pathophysiology are still not clarified today.
      Multifactorial etiology could play a role in FMS pathogenesis. Genetic, environmental,
      biochemical, neuroendocrinological, psychological, muscular, peripheral/central/ autonomic
      nervous system, sleep disorders, immunological, and infectious factors can be suggested.
      Fibromyalgia is the most common rheumatological disorder after osteoarthritis in the general
      population and affects 2 % of the general population.

      A decrease in muscle blood flow and oxygenation has been found in patients with FMS. Low
      levels of phosphocreatine, adenosine triphosphate and adenosine diphosphate have been
      observed at the sensitive point of the trapezius muscle of patients with FMS; increase in
      adenosine monophosphate and high creatine levels, and damage in muscle fibrils have been
      observed. Blood flow in muscles was measured at the time of exercise and a significant
      decrease was found in patients with FMS compared to healthy ones. This suggests to us that
      there is a relationship between symptoms and skeletal muscles in patients with FMS.

      Exercise has the highest level of evidence and effective in the treatment of FMS. Most of the
      patients diagnosed with FMS are sedentary and their aerobic capacity is below average.
      According to the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations, exercise is
      definitely recommended in patients with FMS. Aerobic exercises, strengthening exercises, and
      stretching exercises have been shown to be beneficial. However, there is no definitive
      recommendation regarding the choice of exercise. The superiority of exercise types over each
      other is unclear. It is considered that aerobic and strengthening exercises will correct
      metabolic changes in muscle tissue and lead to a reduction in muscle pain, stretching and
      relaxation exercises reduce pain by reducing tension in soft tissues with.

      The most common symptom after pain in patients with FMS is fatigue. Due to pain and fatigue,
      physical activity levels and muscle functions decrease. The loss of muscle function in young
      women is a major socioeconomic problem.

      In our study, our goal is to investigate the muscle thickness and whether there is an
      increase in muscle thickness, muscle strength, and muscle function with stretching and
      strengthening exercise therapy in women with FMS.

      The sample size was calculated as 30 patients for each group according to the results
      obtained from the power analysis (power=0.85; α=0.05; effect size= 0.70) performed with the
      G*Power version 3.1 program based on the values, taking into account the previous study
      Kapuczinski A. et al.
    

Intervention name(s): Exercise; Control
Intervention type(s): Other; Other
Intervention description(s): a home exercise program consist of stretching and strengthening exercises , 5 repetitions of each exercise three days a week for 12 weeks; exercise freely and without supervision with their daily routine
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: prospective, randomized, single-blind, clinical study patients were randomized into two groups by a physiotherapist with sealed envelopes
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Fibromyalgia; ultrasonography; muscle thickness; exercises