Impact of an intensive dynamic exercise program on oxidative stress and on the outcome in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intensive dynamic exercises on the oxidative status in patients with primary fibromyalgia (FM) and to explore the importance of these effects on the outcome of FM. Patients and methods We measured levels of stress oxidants (protein carbonyls, nitric oxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and antioxidant parameters (thiols and catalase) in blood samples from 40 FM patients and from healthy controls (n = 25) at presentation and after 12 weeks of intensive exercise program that comprised aerobic and strengthening exercises (lasting 1 h three times per week). In the patients, pain was assessed using the visual analog scale and tender points counts, and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory were applied at presentation and after 12 weeks of exercise therapy. Results At presentation, the serum levels of the oxidative stress parameters were significantly higher (P < 0.001), whereas the serum levels of antioxidant parameters were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in patients with FM than in controls. There was a higher significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the oxidative stress parameters following the 12-week exercise regime, whereas the antioxidant parameter levels showed a higher significant increase (P < 0.001) after the exercise treatment. Tender points, visual analog scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory showed a higher significant (P < 0.001) improvement with exercise therapy. Conclusion Twelve weeks of intensive dynamic exercise program should be recommended to patients with FM as it was effective in decreasing the oxidative stress parameters, increasing the antioxidant parameters, and improving the clinical outcome of this disease.

Keywords

• exercise program
• fibromyalgia
• Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
• oxidative stress