Caring for the Patient with Fibromyalgia

Comparison of the effects of stabilization exercise plus kinesio taping and stabilization exercise alone on pain and well-being in fibromyalgia

PURPOSE

To compare the effects of spinal stabilization exercise (SSE) plus kinesio taping (KT) and SSE alone on pain and well-being in women with fibromyalgia (FM).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Patients with FM were randomly allocated into SSE (n:19) and SSE + KT (n:17) groups. Pain and fatigue with Visual Analog Scale, health status with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, quality of life (QoL) with Nottingham Health Profile, depression with Beck Depression Inventory, sleep quality with Jenkins Sleep Scale were assessed. SSE and KT with fascial correction technique were carried out 2 days a week for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

SSE + KT was more effective in decreasing pain and fatigue, and improving some parameters related to health status and the QoL compared to SSE alone (p < 0.05). After treatment, pain, depression, health status, QoL, and sleep quality improved in both groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

SSE with KT was superior for improving pain and general well-being compared to SSE alone.

Healthcare Provider Advice to Engage in Walking Regimens and Adherence in Women With Fibromyalgia

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to analyze the profile of fibromyalgia patients receiving medical advice to walk and who complied with the advice according to a specific clinical pattern. A further aim has been to analyze the elements that increase adherence to walking.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study with 920 women with fibromyalgia.

METHODS

Sociodemographic and clinical variables, walking behavior, and medical advice to walk were assessed.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS

Patients who adhere to walking have a lower likelihood of being tired. Regular walkers (patients who walk according to a specific clinical pattern) have a lower likelihood of comorbidity. Patients who receive medical advice to walk are more likely to walk more than 30 minutes and to take a break between bouts.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Nurses caring for people with fibromyalgia should include strategies to promote walking, especially in patients with low adherence profiles, paying attention to all elements of behavior.

A comparison of the effects of exercises plus connective tissue massage to exercises alone in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a 6-week combined exercise program with and without connective tissue massage (CTM) on pain, fatigue, sleep problem, health status, and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Patients were randomly allocated into Exercise (n = 20) and Exercise + CTM (n = 20) groups. The exercise program with and without CTM was carried out 2 days a week for 6 weeks. Pain, fatigue, sleep problem with Visual Analog Scales, health status with Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and quality of life with Short Form-36 were evaluated. After the program, pain, fatigue and sleep problem reduced, health status (except of the scores of FIQ-1 and FIQ-10), physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, bodily pain, role limitations due to emotional health, vitality, and general health perceptions parameters related to quality of life improved in the Exercise group, (P < 0.05). In the Exercise + CTM group, pain, fatigue and sleep problem decreased, health status and quality of life improved (P < 0.05). Pain, fatigue, sleep problem, and role limitations due to physical health improved in the Exercise + CTM group in comparison to the Exercise group (P < 0.05). The study suggested that exercises with and without CTM might be effective for decreasing pain, fatigue and sleep problem whereas increasing health status and quality of life in patients with FMS. However, exercises with CTM might be superior in improving pain, fatigue, sleep problem, and role limitations due to physical health compared to exercise alone.

Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the short-term and 1-year follow-up results of connective tissue manipulation and combined ultrasound (US) therapy (US and high-voltage pulsed galvanic stimulation) in terms of pain, complaint of nonrestorative sleep, and impact on the functional activities in patients with fibromyalgia (FM).

METHODS

This is an observational prospective cohort study of 20 female patients with FM. Intensity of pain, complaint of nonrestorative sleep, and impact of FM on functional activities were evaluated by visual analogue scales. All evaluations were performed before and after 20 sessions of treatment, which included connective tissue manipulation of the back daily, for a total of 20 sessions, and combined US therapy of the upper back region every other session. One-year follow-up evaluations were performed on 14 subjects. Friedman test was used to analyze time-dependent changes.

RESULTS

Statistical analyses revealed that pain intensity, impact of FM on functional activities, and complaints of nonrestorative sleep improved after the treatment program (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Methods used in this study seemed to be helpful in improving pain intensity, complaints of nonrestorative sleep, and impact on functional activities in patients with FM.