Critical Reviews™ in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

ISSN for PRINT: 0896-2960

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2005, Volume17

Issue 1

86 pages

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.v17.i1

Issue price - $163.00

Kimberley A. Dawson, PhD
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5

Peter M. Tiidus, PhD
Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3C5

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a whole-body disease that is associated with pain and discomfort. Approximately 2 to 5% of the population is afflicted with FMS and up to 90% of individuals diagnosed are women. There is no known cure for FMS, only suggested treatments designed to manage FMS symptoms. Treatment modalities, including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, are often co-prescribed and vary widely in order to address the unique experience faced by FMS sufferers.
A substantial number of studies have investigated how physical activity is related to the symptoms associated with FMS. The purpose of the present review is to provide a holistic picture of the exercise-FMS relationship by addressing the following questions: (1) Do differences exist between individuals with FMS and healthy individuals in physiological responses to acute exercise or adaptation to exercise training? (2) What type(s) of physical activity is (are) best for individuals afflicted with FMS? (3) Do different exercise modalities lead to the reprieve of different symptoms? (4) What specific symptoms are alleviated through exercise participation? (5) What conclusions have been drawn by other researchers reviewing exercise-related interventions for FMS? (6) Does gender moderate the optimal exercise modality or treatment effectiveness? (7) What current therapeutic approaches to FMS are most successful and do they include exercise? (8) If exercise is currently being used as an effective treatment, what current exercise prescriptions exist for people with FMS?
In response to these questions, comparisons are made between FMS and healthy individuals with regard to physiological responses to exercise and training. In addition, a review of the exercise-related FMS research is presented. Gender differences in exercise-related indices of health and physical functioning are considered. Treatment options for managing FMS are reviewed, and exercise prescriptions for effective treatments are provided. It is concluded that a regular exercise program tailored toward an individual's specific needs and symptom challenges will ultimately increase their psychological and physical functioning, decrease their pain experiences, help alleviate other FMS symptoms, and improve their overall quality of life by improving their physical ability to perform activities of daily living.

DOI: 10.1615/CritRevPhysRehabilMed.v17.i1.30 Download article, 53-64 pages

Article price - $35.00

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