Effects of progressive muscle relaxation therapy with home exercise on pain, fatigue, and stress in subjects with fibromyalgia syndrome: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Affiliations: [a] Department of Health Science, The Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Korea | [b] Department of Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharmaceutical Industry, Pharma and Bio Pharma Industry Team, Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Cheongju-si, Korea | [c] Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea | [d] Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Sciences, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Hyeong-Dong Kim, Department of Physical Therapy School of Health and Environmental Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Hana Science Building B, Korea University, Anam-ro, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul, 136-701, Korea. Tel.: +82 2 3290 5690; Fax: +82 2 940 2830; E-mail: hdkimx1234@daum.net.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract: 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 (n1= 18, 2 men and 16 women) or non-PMRT group (n2= 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.
