Effects of Amitriptyline and Cardiovascular Fitness Training on Pain in Patients with Primary Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the value of amitriptylene [AT] and cardiovascular fitness training [CFT] in the treatment of pain patients with primary fibromyalgia syndrome [PFS]. Methods: A total of 45 patients, 39♀ 6 ♂, mean age 43.7, range 24-55 years] with PFS were randomized into three treatment groups; A. Sixteen patients who received AT 25 mg at 9 p.m. daily; B. Fifteen patients with heavy CFT; and C. Fourteen patients who received AT 25 mg at 9 p.m. daily and who had heavy CFT. The duration of the treatment was 15 weeks. Results: Pain measured as the pressure pain threshold and tolerance on muscle and bone control points and as the pain threshold on tender points and on a visual analogue scalle [VAS] were similar in all three groups at the start of the trial. After 15 weeks all measurements showed less pain experience in patients treated with both AT and CFT [group C] than in patients treated with AT alone [group A]. The effect of CFT alone [group B] was better than that of AT alone, but not as good as that of the combination. General pain as measured by VAS only declined in patients treated with both AT and CFT. Conclusions: A combination of AT and CFT is more effective in the treatment of PFS than either of these alone.

KEYWORDS:

• Amitriptyline
• cardiovascular fitness training
• fibromyalgia