Effects of progressive muscle relaxation therapy with home exercise on pain, fatigue, and stress in subjects with fibromyalgia syndrome: A pilot randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 289 - 299
• Main Authors: Yoo, Seoung-A., Kim, Chang-Yong, Kim, Hyeong-Dong, Kim, Suhng-Wook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2022; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Autogenic Training; Blood pressure; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Fatigue; Fatigue - diagnosis; Fatigue - etiology; Fatigue - therapy; Female; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle contraction; Pain; Pain - etiology; Physical therapy; Pilot Projects; Relaxation therapy; Sleep disorders; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; stress; Fatigue; progressive muscle relaxation therapy; pain; fibromyalgia
• ISSN: 1053-8127; 1878-6324; 1878-6324
• DOI: 10.3233/BMR-191703

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is accompanied by symptoms of fatigue, depression, sleep disorders, and physical and mental stress [1]. It is a difficult-to-treat disorder because its exact causes are unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation therapy (PMRT) on pain, fatigue, and stress in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (age: 20–65 years) were randomly allocated to the PMRT group ( n 1 = 18, 2 men and 16 women) or non-PMRT group ( n 2 = 19, 2 men and 17 women). The PMRT group received PMRT twice a week for 8 weeks and the non-PMRT group received conventional physical therapies such as electro-stimulation and heat therapies during this period. The outcome was evaluated before and after 8 week sofintervention using the Visual Analogue Scale, Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue, Perceived Stress Scale, and measurement of the blood pressure and pulse rate. RESULTS: Pain and fatigue significantly decreased in the PMRT group compared with the non-PMRT group (both P < 0.001). In addition, perceived stress ( P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure ( P < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure ( P < 0.05), and pulse rate ( P < 0.001) significantly decreased in the PMRT group compared with the non-PMRT group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that progressive muscle relaxation therapy is a viable rehabilitative therapy for pain, fatigue, and stress symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.