BENEFITS ON HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND DEPRESSION BY USING A LONG-TERM EXERCISE PROGRAM IN WOMEN WITH FIBROMIALGIA SYNDROME

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effect of a program combined by aerobic, strengthening and flexibility exercises in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) in relation to health related quality of life and psychological health status. Fourty-two women with FM were randomly allocated to one of two groups: an experimental group that would conduct aerobic exercise, strength and flexibility exercises and a usual care control group, for 24 weeks. They were evaluated by using Short-form Health Survey (SF-36), and the psychological health status by using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for depression levels. Significant improvements were observed after the intervention for the combined exercise program in both quality of life (SF-36) and psychological health status (depression) and mainly in SF-36 mental health, physical function, bodily pain and vitality domain, while control group patients even experienced a decrement in some of those variables such as bodily pain. Shown results confirm that a combination of aerobic exercise, strengthening and flexibility is beneficial to improve psychological health status in patients with FM. Therefore this practice can be recommended to FM patients.