Impaired functional capacity and exacerbation of pain and exertion during the 6-minute walk test in women with fibromyalgia

• Published in: Revista brasileira de fisioterapia (São Carlos (São Paulo, Brazil)) Vol. 15; no. 6; pp. 474 - 480
• Main Authors: Homann, D, Stefanello, JMF, Goes, S M, Leite, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.12.2011
• ISSN: 1413-3555

Background: Fibromyalgia has been association with physical performance limitations. Additionally, activities of daily living have been reported to be directly associated with the exacerbation of pain and perceived exertion in this patient population. Objectives: To compare the performance of a 6-minute walk (6MWT) test in patients with fibromyalgia and controls and to evaluate the relationship between test performance and quality of life, limitations of activities of daily living and physical activity level. Methods: The study included 19 women with fibromyalgia (FM) and 20 healthy controls (CG). A 6MWT was conducted and pain intensity and perceived effort (PE) were assessed during the test. In addition, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied. Results: The fibromyalgia group walked significantly shorter distances when compared to the control group (FM: 473.52 plus or minus 77.84 m vs. CG: 541.75 plus or minus 85.62 m; p=0.02). In the fibromyalgia group, there was a negative correlation between distance in 6MWT and FIQ (r=-0.46; p=0.05), HAQ (r=-0.49; p=0.03) and oxygen consumption (r=0.78; p<0.01). There was also a correlation between HAQ and oxygen consumption (r=0.52; p=0.02). Participants with fibromyalgia had higher pain intensity and perceived effort during the test when compared to the control group. Conclusions: Women with fibromyalgia had greater impaired of functional capacity, exacerbation of pain and exertion during the 6MWT when compared to healthy women.Original Abstract: Contextualizacao: A fibromialgia (FM) parece limitar o desempenho fisico, e a realizacao de atividades da vida diaria (AVDs) pode exacerbar a dor e o esforco percebido nesses pacientes. Objetivos: Comparar o desempenho do teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6) entre pacientes com FM e controles e verificar relacoes entre esse desempenho com o impacto na qualidade de vida, na realizacao de tarefas da vida diaria e no nivel de atividade fisica. Metodos: Participaram do estudo 19 mulheres com FM e 20 mulheres saudaveis. Realizou-se o TC6 e, durante o teste, foram mensuradas a intensidade de dor e a percepcao subjetiva de esforco (PSE). Foram aplicados o Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) e o International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Resultados: O grupo de mulheres com FM percorreu menor distancia no TC6 (pacientes: 473,52 plus or minus 77,84 m versus controles: 541,75 plus or minus 85,62 m; p=0,02). Para o grupo de pacientes houve correlacoes entre a distancia caminhada e o questionario FIQ (r=-0,46; p=0,05), o HAQ (r=-0,49; p=0,03) e o consumo de oxigenio (r=0,78; p<0,01) e entre o HAQ e o consumo de oxigenio (r=-0,52; p=0,02). Durante o teste, as mulheres com FM apresentaram aumento da intensidade dolorosa e da PSE, o que nao ocorreu no grupo controle. Conclusoes: Mulheres com FM apresentaram comprometimento da capacidade funcional e exacerbacao da dor e esforco durante o TC6.