Physioterapic approach in pacients with fibromyalgy: effects on mobility, pain, and sleep

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic affection, with unknow etiology, and most of the patients are female. It is characterized by the presence of aching points known as tender points, by diffuse and generalized musculoskeletal pain associated to sleep disturbance, morning stiffness, and easy fatigability. This way, our study attempts to assess effects of physiotherapy treatment in patients with fibromyalgia, and how it interferes in the mobility, sleep disturbance and pain. Six female patients with fibromyalgia were evaluated and submitted to kinesiotherapy with muscular stretching exercises, and generic physical exercise. Our results show physioterapy is efficient — and an important alternative — to treat patients with fibromyalgia, bringing pain relief, better sleep quality, and increased trunk mobility, thus improving patients, general functional capacity.