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The effects of a 12-week strength-training program on strength and functionality in women with fibromyalgia
Kingsley JD, Panton LB, Toole T, Sirithienthad P, Mathis R, McMillan V
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2005 Sep;86(9):1713-1721
clinical trial
6/10 [Eligibility criteria: Yes; Random allocation: Yes; Concealed allocation: No; Baseline comparability: Yes; Blind subjects: No; Blind therapists: No; Blind assessors: Yes; Adequate follow-up: No; Intention-to-treat analysis: Yes; Between-group comparisons: Yes; Point estimates and variability: Yes. Note: Eligibility criteria item does not contribute to total score] *This score has been confirmed*

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women with fibromyalgia benefit from strength training. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Testing was completed at the university and training was completed at a local community wellness facility. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-nine women (age range 18 to 54 y) with fibromyalgia participated. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control (n = 14; wait-listed for exercise) or strength (n = 15) group. After the first 4 weeks, 7 (47%) women dropped from the strength group. INTERVENTION: Subjects underwent 12 weeks of training on 11 exercises, 2 times a week, performing 1 set of 8 to 12 repetitions at 40% to 60% of their maximal lifts and were progressed to 60% to 80%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects were measured for strength, functionality, tender point sensitivity, and fibromyalgia impact. RESULTS: The strength group significantly (p <= 0.05) improved upper- (strength 39 +/- 11 to 42 +/- 12 kg; control 38 +/- 13 to 38 +/- 12 kg) and lower- (strength 68 +/- 28 to 82 +/- 25 kg; control 61 +/- 25 to 61 +/- 26 kg) body strength. Upper-body functionality measured by the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance test improved significantly (strength 44 +/- 11 to 50 +/- 16 U; control 51 +/- 11 to 49 +/- 13 U) after training. Tender point sensitivity and fibromyalgia impact did not change. CONCLUSIONS: Strength training improved strength and some functionality in women with fibromyalgia. Interventions with resistance have important implications on independence and quality of life issues for women with fibromyalgia.

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