Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(05): 418-423
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1353214
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effectiveness of Tai-Chi for Decreasing Acute Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients

V. Segura-Jiménez
1   Department of Physical Education and Sports, School of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
,
A. Romero-Zurita
1   Department of Physical Education and Sports, School of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
,
A. Carbonell-Baeza
1   Department of Physical Education and Sports, School of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
2   Department of Physical Education, School of Sciences Education, University of Cádiz, Spain
,
V. A. Aparicio
3   Department of Physiology and Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy and School of Sports ­Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
,
J. R. Ruiz
1   Department of Physical Education and Sports, School of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
,
M. Delgado-Fernández
1   Department of Physical Education and Sports, School of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 30 July 2013

Publication Date:
07 November 2013 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Tai-Chi has shown benefits in physical and psychological outcomes in diverse populations. We aimed to determine the changes elicited by a Tai-Chi program (12 and 24 weeks) in acute pain (before vs. after session) in fibromyalgia patients. We also assessed the cumulative changes in pain brought about by a Tai-Chi program. Thirty-six patients (29 women) with fibromyalgia participated in a low-moderate intensity Tai-Chi program for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week). Twenty-eight patients (27 women) continued the program for an additional 12 weeks (i. e., 24 weeks). We assessed pain by means of a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after each single session (i. e., 72 sessions). We observed significant immediate changes (P-values from 0.037 to 0.0001) with an approximately 12% mean decrease of acute pain in the comparison of VAS-values before and after each session (72 sessions in total), with the exception of 4 sessions. We observed significant changes in cumulative pain pre-session (95% CI=−0.019; −0.014; P<0.001) and cumulative pain post-session (95% CI=−0.021; −0.015; P<0.001) along the 24-week intervention only. In conclusion, a low-moderate intensity Tai-Chi program for 12 weeks (3 times/week) decreased levels of acute pain in fibromyalgia patients. A longer period is necessary (e. g. 24 weeks) for observing cumulative changes in pain.

Key words

immediate pain - cumulative pain - low-moderate intensity - visual analogue scale - alternative therapy - exercise
 

  • References

  • 1 Arnold LM, Crofford LJ, Mease PJ, Burgess SM, Palmer SC, Abetz L, Martin SA. Patient perspectives on the impact of fibromyalgia. Patient Educ Couns 2008; 73: 114-120
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Borg G. (ed.) Borg’s Perceived Exertion and Pain Scales. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics; 1998: 104
  • 3 Brosseau L, Wells GA, Tugwell P, Egan M, Wilson KG, Dubouloz CJ, Casimiro L, Robinson VA, McGowan J, Busch A, Poitras S, Moldofsky H, Harth M, Finestone HM, Nielson W, Haines-Wangda A, Russell-Doreleyers M, Lambert K, Marshall AD, Veilleux L. Ottawa Panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for aerobic fitness exercises in the management of fibromyalgia: part 1. Phys Ther 2008; 88: 857-871
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Brosseau L, Wells GA, Tugwell P, Egan M, Wilson KG, Dubouloz CJ, Casimiro L, Robinson VA, McGowan J, Busch A, Poitras S, Moldofsky H, Harth M, Finestone HM, Nielson W, Haines-Wangda A, Russell-Doreleyers M, Lambert K, Marshall AD, Veilleux L. Ottawa Panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for strengthening exercises in the management of fibromyalgia: part 2. Phys Ther 2008; 88: 873-886
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Busch AJ, Webber SC, Brachaniec M, Bidonde J, Bello-Haas VD, Danyliw AD, Overend TJ, Richards RS, Sawant A, Schachter CL. Exercise therapy for fibromyalgia. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2011; 15: 358-367
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Carbonell-Baeza A, Aparicio VA, Martins-Pereira CM, Gatto-Cardia CM, Ortega FB, Huertas FJ, Tercedor P, Ruiz JR, Delgado-Fernandez M. Efficacy of Biodanza for treating women with fibromyalgia. J Altern Complement Med 2010; 16: 1191-1200
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Carbonell-Baeza A, Aparicio VA, Ortega FB, Cuevas AM, Alvarez IC, Ruiz JR, Delgado-Fernandez M. Does a 3-month multidisciplinary intervention improve pain, body composition and physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia? Br J Sports Med 2011; 45: 1189-1195
    CrossrefPubMed
  • 8 Carbonell-Baeza A, Aparicio VA, Sjostrom M, Ruiz JR, Delgado-Fernandez M. Pain and functional capacity in female fibromyalgia patients. Pain Med 2011; 12: 1667-1675
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Carbonell-Baeza A, Romero A, Aparicio VA, Ortega FB, Tercedor P, Delgado-Fernandez M, Ruiz JR. Preliminary findings of a 4-month Tai Chi intervention on tenderness, functional capacity, symptomatology, and quality of life in men with fibromyalgia. Am J Mens Health 2011; 5: 421-429
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Carbonell-Baeza A, Romero A, Aparicio VA, Tercedor P, Delgado-Fernandez M, Ruiz JR. T’ai-Chi intervention in men with fibromyalgia: a multiple-patient case report. J Altern Complement Med 2011; 17: 187-189
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Carson JW, Carson KM, Jones KD, Bennett RM, Wright CL, Mist SD. A pilot randomized controlled trial of the Yoga of Awareness program in the management of fibromyalgia. Pain 2010; 151: 530-539
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Ellingson LD, Shields MR, Stegner AJ, Cook DB. Physical activity, sustained sedentary behavior, and pain modulation in women with fibromyalgia. J Pain 2012; 13: 195-206
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Farrar JT, Young Jr JP, LaMoreaux L, Werth JL, Poole RM. Clinical importance of changes in chronic pain intensity measured on an 11-point numerical pain rating scale. Pain 2001; 94: 149-158
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Field T. Tai Chi research review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2011; 17: 141-146
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Giske L, Vollestad NK, Mengshoel AM, Jensen J, Knardahl S, Roe C. Attenuated adrenergic responses to exercise in women with fibromyalgia – a controlled study. Eur J Pain 2008; 12: 351-360
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. Update – Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research. Int J Sports Med 2011; 32: 819-821
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Jones KD, Sherman CA, Mist SD, Carson JW, Bennett RM, Li F. A randomized controlled trial of 8-form Tai chi improves symptoms and functional mobility in fibromyalgia patients. Clin Rheumatol 2012; 31: 1205-1214
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Kadetoff D, Kosek E. The effects of static muscular contraction on blood pressure, heart rate, pain ratings and pressure pain thresholds in healthy individuals and patients with fibromyalgia. Eur J Pain 2007; 11: 39-47
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Lan C, Lai JS, Chen SY. Tai Chi Chuan: an ancient wisdom on exercise and health promotion. Sports Med 2002; 32: 217-224
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Lim JS, Hwang JS, Lee JA, Kim DH, Park KD, Jeong JS, Cheon GJ. Cross-calibration of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with eight-point tactile electrodes and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of body composition in healthy children aged 6-18 years. Pediatr Int 2009; 51: 263-268
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 McLoughlin MJ, Colbert LH, Stegner AJ, Cook DB. Are women with fibromyalgia less physically active than healthy women?. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2011; 43: 905-912
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 McLoughlin MJ, Stegner AJ, Cook DB. The relationship between physical activity and brain responses to pain in fibromyalgia. J Pain 2011; 12: 640-651
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Munguia-Izquierdo D, Legaz-Arrese A. Exercise in warm water decreases pain and improves cognitive function in middle-aged women with fibromyalgia. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2007; 25: 823-830
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Nijs J, Kosek E, Vanoosterwijck J, Meeus M. Dysfunctional endogenous analgesia during exercise in patients with chronic pain: to exercise or not to exercise?. Pain Physician 2012; 15: ES205-ES213
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Price DD, Mcgrath PA, Rafii A, Buckingham B. The Validation of Visual Analog Scales as Ratio Scale Measures for Chronic and Experimental Pain. Pain 1983; 17: 45-56
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Price DD, Patel R, Robinson ME, Staud R. Characteristics of electronic visual analogue and numerical scales for ratings of experimental pain in healthy subjects and fibromyalgia patients. Pain 2008; 140: 158-166
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Romero-Zurita A, Carbonell-Baeza A, Aparicio VA, Ruiz JR, Tercedor P, Delgado-Fernandez M. Effectiveness of a tai-chi training and detraining on functional capacity, symptomatology and psychological outcomes in women with fibromyalgia. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012; 2012 614196
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Salaffi F, Stancati A, Silvestri CA, Ciapetti A, Grassi W. Minimal clinically important changes in chronic musculoskeletal pain intensity measured on a numerical rating scale. Eur J Pain 2004; 8: 283-291
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Segura-Jimenez V, Carbonell-Baeza A, Aparicio VA, Samos B, Femia P, Ruiz JR, Delgado-Fernandez M. A Warm Water Pool-Based Exercise Program Decreases Immediate Pain in Female Fibromyalgia Patients: Uncontrolled Clinical Trial. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 600-605
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Silverman SL, Harnett J, Zlateva G, Mardekian J. Identifying fibromyalgia-associated symptoms and conditions from a clinical perspective: a step toward evaluating healthcare resource utilization in fibromyalgia. Pain Pract 2010; 10: 520-529
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Sports C. (ed.) Simplified “Taijiquan”. Beijing(China): China Publications Centers; 1983
  • 32 Taggart HM, Arslanian CL, Bae S, Singh K. Effects of T'ai Chi exercise on fibromyalgia symptoms and health-related quality of life. Orthop Nurs 2003; 22: 353-360
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Thomas EN, Blotman F. Aerobic exercise in fibromyalgia: a practical review. Rheumatol Int 2010; 30: 1143-1150
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Valkeinen H, Hakkinen A, Alen M, Hannonen P, Kukkonen-Harjula K, Hakkinen K. Physical fitness in postmenopausal women with fibromyalgia. Int J Sports Med 2008; 29: 408-413
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Wang C, Schmid CH, Rones R, Kalish R, Yinh J, Goldenberg DL, Lee Y, McAlindon T. A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia. N Engl J Med 2010; 363: 743-754
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, Bennett RM, Bombardier C, Goldenberg DL, Tugwell P, Campbell SM, Abeles M, Clark P, Fam AG, Farber SJ, Fiechtner JJ, Franklin CM, Gatter RA, Hamaty D, Lessard J, Lichtbroun AS, Masi AT, McCain GA, Reynolds WJ, Romano TJ, Russell IJ, Sheon RP. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia. Report of the Multicenter Criteria Committee. Arthritis Rheum 1990; 33: 160-172
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Yeh GY, Wood MJ, Lorell BH, Stevenson LW, Eisenberg DM, Wayne PM, Goldberger AL, Davis RB, Phillips RS. Effects of tai chi mind-body movement therapy on functional status and exercise capacity in patients with chronic heart failure: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Med 2004; 117: 541-548
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar