Influence of Exercise Type, Pain Mechanisms, and Biopsychosocial Contributions to Pain Relief in Those With Fibromyalgia

Summary

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Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain condition that is mostly prevalent in middle-aged women. Exercise is one of the few therapies that can alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms. Despite exercise being a major component of rehabilitation, exercise guidelines are unclear, often leading to symptom exac...

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain condition that is mostly prevalent in middle-aged women. Exercise is one of the few therapies that can alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms. Despite exercise being a major component of rehabilitation, exercise guidelines are unclear, often leading to symptom exacerbation and low compliance. Previous research has demonstrated that women with fibromyalgia may have different post-exercise pain responses when undergoing an exercise task. Factors critical to optimal exercise prescription are not known, including the most effective type of exercise, mechanisms responsible for pain relief, and biopsychosocial influences. This study investigates the use of exercise as a nonpharmacological pain management tool for people with fibromyalgia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the acute exercise-induced pain response after isometric and dynamic muscle contractions in people with and without fibromyalgia. All participants will attend up to three sessions with approximately one week between sessions at a metropolitan university laboratory setting. Participants will perform different types of submaximal exercise for a maximum of ten minutes and complete pain assessments each session. Pain and psychosocial influences are measured with multiple established clinical questionnaires. Pressure pain sensitivity is tested by application of a mechanical stimulus to the arms and legs. To investigate a participant's innate ability to inhibit pain, the mechanical stimulus will be assessed with and without limb submersion in a cold-water bath. Physical activity is measured via questionnaire and use of activity monitors, while body composition is measured with a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan.

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