Fibromyalgia ResearchFibromyalgia Is Associated With Impaired Balance and Falls.Primary Author: Kim JonesPrimary Author: From the Schools of Nursing and Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR.Date Published: 2009 1 6Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:: The purpose of this study was to determine whether fibromyalgia (FM) patients differ from matched healthy controls in clinical tests of balance ability and fall frequency. METHODS:: Thirty-four FM patients and 32 age-matched controls were administered the Balance Evaluation-Systems Test (BESTest), rated their balance confidence with the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, and reported the number of falls in the last 6 months. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire was used to assess FM severity. RESULTS:: FM patients had significantly impaired balance in all components of the BESTest compared with controls. They also scored more poorly on balance confidence. Overall FM severity (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) correlated significantly with the BESTest and the ABC scale. The BESTest and ABC correlated significantly with 6 commonly reported FM symptoms (excluding pain). FM patients reported a total of 37 falls over the last 6-months compared with 6 falls in healthy controls. CONCLUSION:: FM is associated with balance problems and increased fall frequency. Patients were aware of their balance problems. These results suggest that FM may affect peripheral and/or central mechanisms of postural control. Further objective study is needed to identify the relative contributions of various neural and musculoskeletal and other impairments to postural stability in FM to provide clinicians with methods to maximize postural stability and help fall prevention.
Customizing treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia: the role of perpetuating factors.Primary Author: Boudewijn Van HoudenhovePrimary Author: Dienst Liaisonpsychiatrie, UZ Gasthuisberg, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium. boudewijn.vanhoudenhove@uz.kuleuven.ac.beDate Published: 2009 01 05Abstract: BACKGROUND: Syndromes characterized by chronic, medically unexplained fatigue, effort- and stress-intolerance, and widespread pain are highly prevalent in medicine. RESULTS: In chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM), various perpetuating factors may impair patients' quality of life and functioning and impede recovery. Although cognitive-behavioral and graded-exercise therapy are evidence-based treatments, the effectiveness and acceptability of therapeutic interventions in CFS/FM may largely depend on a customized approach taking the heterogeneity of perpetuating factors into account. CONCLUSION: Further research should clarify the aim and outcome of different treatment strategies in CFS/FM, as well as the underlying mechanisms of change, including those facilitating neurobiological recovery.
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