Effects of a hydrotherapy program on the strength of baroreflex involvement in women with fibromyalgia syndrome

• Grant number: 15/23449-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): March 08, 2016
• Effective date (End): December 07, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ester da Silva
• Grantee: Carolina Pieroni Andrade
• Supervisor: Raffaello Secondo Furlan
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/17504-1 - The effects of hydrotherapy on the cardiorespiratory system and clinical manifestations in women with fibromyalgia syndrome, BP.DD

Abstract

Traditionally, cardiovascular autonomic control in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) has been evaluated by traditional indices, based on the spontaneous heart rate variability beat to beat (HP) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP). However, these methods have some limitations, especially with regard to the evaluation of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Thus, in order to overcome these limitations, linear and nonlinear methods considering the issue of causality have been proposed. Aerobic exercises and hydrotherapy has been one of the most recommended and perceived as effective by patients with FMS. However, little is known about its effects on cardiovascular autonomic control. Thus, the aim of the present study will be to assess the effects of an aerobic hydrotherapy protocol on the strength of causal link between SAP and HP in women with FMS. Participants were assessed at baseline and after 16 weeks of intervention. Forty-eight women with clinical diagnosis of FMS were considered eligible for the study. Data acquisition was performed for 15 min with subjects at rest in supine position and during 15 min in orthostatic position reached by active standing. We continuously recorded the electrocardiogram (BioAmp FE132, ADInstruments, Australia), respiratory activity by a piezoelectric respiratory belt (MLT1132; ADInstruments) and noninvasive finger blood pressure (BP) (Finometer Pro, Finapress Ohmeda Medical Systems, Amsterdam, Holland). The strength of causal link between SAP and HP will be estimated by linear and nonlinear methods, by means of specific software developed by the Italian group and available on the laboratory of Prof. Dr. Raffaello Furlan. The normality of the data will be checked to decide which the most appropriate statistical test to be performed. The significance level will be set at 5%. (AU)