Effects of Hydrotherapy on Postural Control of Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Single Arm Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a 16-week program of hydrotherapy on postural control and pain of women with fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS].

Methods: Seventeen women with FMS performed three evaluation sessions, one before, one in the middle and one at the end of a 16-week hydrotherapy treatment program. The outcome measure was postural control of the body during quiet erect posture on upright stance [eyes opened and closed] and right and left tandem on a force platform. Pain was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] and function with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire [FIQ]. Statistical analysis was performed with Friedman’s ANOVA and Wilcoxon’s matched pairs test. Effect sizes were measured with Cohen’s d coefficient. For all variables, a level of 5% of significance was adopted.

Results: Postural control showed decreased variables, especially for the right and left tandem positions with eyes closed and opened. Pain and function also showed improvement after 8 and 16 weeks of hydrotherapy treatment.

Conclusions: Hydrotherapy was effective in improving postural control, pain and function in women with FMS.

Keywords:

• postural control
• fibromyalgia
• rehabilitation
• hydrotherapy
• pain

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Antonio Roberto Zamunû`r (PT, PhD) and Bruna Hirano Imbriani (PT) for the help on data collection.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [MA Avila, grant number 2011/22122-5] and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Brazil, doctorate fellowship of MA Avila).