Aerobic Versus Strengthening Exercises on Fibromyalgia in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract
Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome, with unknown aetiology, characterized by chronic widespread pain and several associated non-specific symptoms such as pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, depression and anxiety. It affects approximately 2-3% of the general population with more than 90% of patients being female.
Aim of Study: This study was aimed to determine which is more effective in alleviating pain and fibromyalgia symp-toms; aerobic exercises or strengthening exercises in postmen-opausal women.
Material and Method: Sixty postmenopausal women with FMS will be selected according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria from the Physical Therapy Department in Naser General Hospital to share in this study, their age ranged from 50-60 years and their Body Mass Index (BMI) will not exceed 30kg/m2, the participants were assigned into two groups of equal numbers. The group (A) received aerobic exercise program, in the form of treadmill 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Each session will take about 30 minutes, while the group (B) received strengthening exercises for the four limbs and trunk using their body weight or resistance band (Thera band) 3 times/week for 8 weeks. Each session will take about 30 minutes. All subjects in both groups were assessed through the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) for the fibromyalgia related symptoms.
Results: The results of the present study revealed that there was a statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) in both pain and fibromyalgia related symptoms in group (A) than in group (B).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that aerobic exercises is more effective than strengthening exercises in relieving pain and fibromyalgia related symptoms in postmenopausal women.