The effect of 6-weeks exercise programme and whole body vibration on strength and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a randomised study.

OBJECTIVES: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). METHODS: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 45s at 20Hz-3 mm and four sets of unilateral static squats at 20Hz-2mm) 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. RESULTS: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 accompaniedby reductions in SF36 scores of 9.8% (p