Effect of supervised exercise program including balance exercises on the balance status and clinical signs in patients with fibromyalgia

The objective of this study is to investigate whether the supervised exercise program including balance exercises was superior to home exercise programs in improving clinical parameters and balance status in patients with FM. Fifty women who were diagnosed with primary FM were assigned into supervised exercise group (Group 1) and home exercise group (Group 2). Evaluation parameters were clinical parameters [pain, number of tender points (NTP), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ)], and parameters associated with balance [timed up and go test (TUGT), four square step test (FSST), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), and static balance measurements]. Significant differences were determined between all pre- and post-exercise clinical follow-up parameters at 12th week in Group 1. There was a significant difference only in the BDS score between baseline and at the 24th week. When the changes in balance parameters in Group 1 were investigated, a significant difference was noted at the 12th week in terms of TUGT, FSST, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline; however, the significant change maintained only in ABC scale at the 24th week compared to baseline. Significant differences were noted in all clinical parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week, whereas no difference was observed at the 24th week. Evaluation of balance parameters in Group 2 at the 12th week revealed significant differences in terms of the TUGT, FSST, BBS, and ABC scale scores compared to baseline, whereas 24th week evaluation revealed significant differences only in the BBS and ABC scale scores. When the two groups were compared, a significant difference was observed in favor of Group 2 only for the BBS at the 12th week evaluation. Exercise programs had short-term beneficial effects on either clinical signs or dynamic balance.