RESEARCH ARTICLE
Effects of water- and land-based exercises on quality of life and physical aspects in women with fibromyalgia: A randomized clinical trial
André Britto,
Vandilson Rodrigues,
Alcione M. dos Santos,
Marta Rizzini,
Paula Britto,
Lucio Britto,
João B. S. Garcia,
Corresponding Author
André Britto
School of Medicine, Federal University of Maranhão, Pinheiro, Brazil
Correspondence
André Britto, School of Medicine, Estrada Pinheiro/Pacas, Km 10, 65200-000, Pinheiro, MA, Brazil.
Email: andre.britto@ufma.br
Search for more papers by this authorVandilson Rodrigues
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorAlcione M. dos Santos
Collective Health Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorMarta Rizzini
Collective Health Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorPaula Britto
Physiotherapy Service, Club Sante, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorLucio Britto
Physiotherapy Service, Club Sante, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorJoão B. S. Garcia
Health Science Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorAndré Britto,
Vandilson Rodrigues,
Alcione M. dos Santos,
Marta Rizzini,
Paula Britto,
Lucio Britto,
João B. S. Garcia,
Corresponding Author
André Britto
School of Medicine, Federal University of Maranhão, Pinheiro, Brazil
Correspondence
André Britto, School of Medicine, Estrada Pinheiro/Pacas, Km 10, 65200-000, Pinheiro, MA, Brazil.
Email: andre.britto@ufma.br
Search for more papers by this authorVandilson Rodrigues
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorAlcione M. dos Santos
Collective Health Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorMarta Rizzini
Collective Health Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorPaula Britto
Physiotherapy Service, Club Sante, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorLucio Britto
Physiotherapy Service, Club Sante, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorJoão B. S. Garcia
Health Science Graduate Program, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Brazil
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Introduction
Fibromyalgia (FM) is consistently associated with fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, and anxiety and depression, affecting physical capacities and skills and thereby reducing quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of water-based and land-based therapies as an adjuvant treatment for women with FM in relation to quality of life and physical aspects.
Methods
FM women were randomized into a water-based exercise group (WG) and land-based exercise group (LG). The interventions were conducted for 8 weeks, three times a week, and each therapy session had a 60-min duration. Evaluations were performed before and after intervention using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale, the number of tender points (TPs), and the Wells bench sit and reach test score.
Results
Both interventions produced significantly positive clinical effects in most aspects evaluated. However, only WG obtained significant improvements for the variables functional capacity, number of TPs, and flexibility.
Conclusions
The findings suggest that water-based exercise is effective as an adjuvant FM treatment, including FM-related physical and psychological health aspects.
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