Evaluation of the effects of swimming in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia

• Grant number: 10/51238-9
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2010 - April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal researcher: Jamil Natour
• Grantee: Jamil Natour
• Home Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain with specific painful points to palpation called "tender points. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of swimming in reducting pain and improving function, quality of life and aerobic capacity in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: Sixty-eight patients with fibromyalgia who are able to swim freestyle (front crawl) will be selected from outpatient clinics of Rheumatology Division of Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP) and through newspaper advertisement. The intervention group (IG) will carry out swimming training and the other group (control group- CG) will performe walking. The participants will carry out exercises (swim ming and walking) three times a week for 50 minutes, for 12 weeks. The exercises will be held in the anaerobic threshold determined by treadmill cardiopulmonary test. Outcome measurements: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain; FIQ (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) to assess quality of life related to disease; the SF-36 (short form health survey), which assesses general quality of life; cardiopulmonary test to assess cardiorespiratory capacity; and sit-up and go test to assess functional capacity. All participants will carry out an initial assessment just before starting the exercise program, and after 6 and 12 weeks of training. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FERNANDES, GIOVANA; JENNINGS, FABIO; NERY CABRAL, MICHELE VIEIRA; PIROZZI BUOSI, ANA LETICIA; NATOUR, JAMIL. Swimming Improves Pain and Functional Capacity of Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, v. 97, n. 8, p. 1269-1275, AUG 2016. Web of Science Citations: 6.