Effects of the association of an aerobic exercise protocol with systemic photobiomodulation (ILIB) on pain, fatigue and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a blinded randomized clinical trial

• Grant number: 22/08624-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2022
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Ana Claudia Muniz Renno
• Grantee: Cristiano Carvalho
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disease, characterized by generalized muscle pain, which mainly affects women. Previous studies showed that aerobic physical exercises are effective in improving pain, perceived fatigue, functional performance and quality of life in this population; other studies demonstrated that photobiomodulation (PBM) is also effective in this sense. One of the methods of PBM application is the intravascular laser irradiation of blood (ILIB). ILIB acts systematically, culminating in positive effects in the tissue repair process, the modulation of the inflammatory process and the reduction of pain. Thus, patients with FM could benefit from this technique. Thus, the objective of this study will be to verify the effect of the association of an aerobic exercise program with the ILIB technique on pain, fatigue, functional performance and quality of life in women with FM. Forty women will be randomized and divided into four groups: exercise and active ILIB group, exercise group and placebo ILIB, active ILIB, or placebo ILIB. Before the first session, after the last treatment session, and a follow-up of 16, 26 and 52 weeks after of the initial assessment, the pain will be evaluated using the numerical pain rating scale and the pressure pain threshold using an algometer; the impact of FM, the quality of life and the level of fatigue perceived through questionnaires; performance fatigue using an isokinetic dynamometer; and functional capacity through performance-based tests. Interventions with aerobic exercise will be performed on a stationary bicycle with load progression, for 12 weeks, with a frequency of twice a week. A significance level of 5% will be adopted.