Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 6-week "usual care" exercise program supplemented with whole-body vibration (WBV) to improve balance and strength in women with fibromyalgia (FM). DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled study. SETTINGS: The setting was a physical therapy department in an academic setting. SUBJECTS: The subjects were 30 postmenopausal women with FM (age: 59±7.90 years). Interventions: Subjects were randomized into one of two groups: an experimental group (EG: n=15), which combined exercise training (2 days a week) with 3 days of WBV, and a control group (CG: n=15), who performed the same exercise training program (2 days a week) but without WBV. OUTCOME MEASURES: Balance and muscle strength were measured at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. RESULTS: Significant differences were found (p<0.05) between the study groups for the Medio-Lateral Stability Index (MLSI), when patients were assessed with their eyes open and closed. The effect size of the improvement was large with eyes closed (R2=0.260) and moderate when the eyes were open (R2=0.047). However, no significant differences were found (p>0.05) between the study groups for other outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Women with FM may increase their MLSI by engaging in a 6-week traditional exercise program with supplementary WBV. This may have implications for falls prevention in this patient group.