It is accepted that the optimal management of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) requires a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Our study aimed to analyse the effects of a supplemented physical programme on the quality of life of FM patients.
We enrolled 60 patients, all female (mean age 49±5.7 years), with primary FM (mean years of disease 33±12 months). Patients who agreed to participate in this study met the proposed 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification criteria and the 2010 American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria and were recruited at Policlinico P. Giaccone, University Hospital of Palermo, Italy. Thirty patients undertook a physical programme consisting of group exercises, laser and TENS treatment (Combi-group). The remaining 30 FM patients (Exonly-group) practiced only group exercise (Control group). Ten patients with mechanical pain were considered as unrelated control group disease. Fatigue, sleep dysfunction and pain were reported and evaluated before and after the treatment for each patient. Particularly, the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), SF36 Questionnaire (SF36) and Visual analogue scale for pain and fatigue (VAS pain and fatigue) were administered at baseline (T0) and at the end of the treatment (T1) (after 40 rehabilitation sessions over 20-week).
The combined treatment significantly improved the perception of pain and fatigue and the overall quality of life. In detail, the Combi-group experienced a statistically significant improvement in FIQ but not in the SF36 after the treatment.
According to our results, an intense physical rehabilitation programme could be considered a promising essential step in the management of FM patients.