Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20250002-en
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Original Article

Correlation between levels of physical activity, disease severity and pain intensity in women with fibromyalgia

Correlação entre níveis de atividade física, gravidade da doença e intensidade da dor em mulheres com fibromialgia

Márcio Bruning; Jonato Prestes; Nuno Manuel Frade de Sousa; Gabriel Caetano Pereira; Fernanda Maria Borghi; Leonardo Pestillo de Oliveira

http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2595-0118.20250002-en BrJP, vol.8, e20250002, 2025
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Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, there is conflicting evidence regarding both physical activity and exercise in relation to the impact of fibromyalgia (FM). The aim of this study was to correlate levels of physical activity, disease severity, and pain in women with FM.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 93 women diagnosed with FM, with an average age of 49.1±10.3 years. The Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) was used to assess the impact of the disease on the women’s health status. To evaluate the level of physical activity, the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) was used to assess the intensity of the participants’ pain.

RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the groups in terms of symptom severity (F = 9.471; p<0.001; n2=0.174) and pain intensity (F = 5.074; p=0.008; n2=0.101), which were unfavorable to the sedentary group (p<0.05). Significant inverse correlations were found in assessments of physical activity levels at light and moderate intensities, FIQR and pain (rs = -0.20 to -0.30).

CONCLUSION: Sedentary women are severely impacted by the disease and may experience higher levels of pain. Weak to moderate correlations between physical activity levels, disease impact, and pain intensity suggest that engaging in physical activity at light and moderate intensities may be an important intervention in the management of FM.

Keywords

Fibromyalgia; Pain; Physical exercise

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Atualmente existem evidências conflitantes tanto para a atividade física quanto para o exercício físico na relação com o impacto da fibromialgia (FM). O objetivo deste estudo foi correlacionar níveis de atividade física, gravidade da doença e dor em mulheres com FM.

MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo transversal com 93 mulheres diagnosticadas com FM, com média de idade de 49,1±10,3 anos. O Questionário Revisado de Impacto da Fibromialgia (FIQR) foi utilizado para avaliar o impacto da doença no estado de saúde das mulheres. Para avaliar o nível de atividade física, utilizou-se a versão curta do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). A Escala Numérica de Avaliação da Dor (END) foi utilizada para avaliar a intensidade da dor das participantes.

RESULTADOS: Diferenças significativas foram encontradas entre os grupos, no tocante a gravidade dos sintomas (F = 9,471; p<0,001; n2=0,174) e intensidade da dor (F = 5,074; p=0,008; n2=0,101), desfavoráveis ao grupo sedentário (p<0,05). Correlações inversas significativas foram encontradas em avaliações de níveis de atividade física em intensidades leve e moderada, FIQR e dor (rs = -0,20 a -0,30).

CONCLUSÃO: Mulheres sedentárias são impactadas de maneira muito severa pela doença e podem apresentar níveis mais elevados de dor. Correlações fracas e moderadas entre os níveis de atividade física, impacto da doença e intensidade da dor sugerem que a prática de atividade física em intensidades leve e moderada pode ser uma intervenção importante no tratamento da FM.

Palavras-chave

Dor; Exercício Físico; Fibromialgia

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Submitted date:
03/10/2024

Accepted date:
09/20/2024

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