Six- and 24-month follow-up of pool exercise therapy and education for patients with fibromyalgia

Authors: Mannerkorpi K (1) , Ahlmén M (1) , Ekdahl C (1)

Affiliations:

(1) Department of Physical Therapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Source: Scand J Rheumatol. 2002;31(5):306-10

DOI: 10.1080/030097402760375223 Publication date: 2009 E-Publication date: July 12, 2009 Availability: abstract Copyright: Not specified

Language: English Countries: Sweden Location: Not specified Correspondence address: Kaisa.Mannerkorpi@vgregion.se

Keywords

Article abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To follow patients with fibromyalgia six and 24 months after they finished a six-month treatment programme. The programme comprised pool exercise therapy, adjusted to the patients' limitations, and education based on their health problems.

METHODS:

Twenty-six patients were examined six and 24 months after the completion of the treatment programme with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), SF-36, the 6-minute walk test, and the Grippit measure. The values obtained at the follow-up examinations were compared with the baseline and post-treatment values.

RESULTS:

As compared with baseline, symptom severity (FIQ, SF-36), physical function (FIQ, SF-36, 6-minute walk test) and quality of life (SF-36) still showed improvements six months after the completion of treatment (p <0.05). Pain (FIQ, SF-36), fatigue (FIQ, SF-36), walking ability, and social function (SF-36) still showed improvements 2 years after the completion of the programme as compared with the baseline values (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found for these variables, when the values obtained at the two follow-up examinations were compared with those of the post-treatment examination.

CONCLUSIONS:

Improvements in symptom severity, physical function and social function were still found six and 24 months after the completed treatment programme.

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