The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a 6-week traditional exercise programme with supplementary whole-body vibration (WBV) in improving strength and health status in women with fibromyalgia (FM).
Thirty postmenopausal women with FM (mean (SD) age: 59 (7.90) years) were randomised into one of two groups, one intervention group (GEV n=15), which combined exercise training (two days a week) with three days of WBV (3 sets of 45 s at 20 Hz-3 mm and four sets of unilateral static squats at 20 Hz-2 mm) and another control group (n=15), that performed the same physical activity programme but without vibration training (GEnV). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the global score of the SF-36 were used to assess functional capacity and quality of life. Two additional tests were employed to assess muscle strength. Baseline data and pre-test and post-test data were collected before and after the six-week intervention period.
Significant improvements in all outcomes measured were found from baseline in both groups. A 5% improvement from baseline in total FIQ score was observed in the exercise groups (p≤0.05), and was accompanied by reductions in SF36 scores of 9.8% (p<0.001) and 7.9% (p<0.001) in the GEV and GEnV group, respectively. Improvements were also observed in muscle strength in both groups but greater in the GEV group.
The results suggest that women with FMS can gain additional health benefits by engaging in a 6-week traditional exercise programme with supplementary WBV.