Aquatic Physical Therapy in Fibromyalgia

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Aquatic Physiotherapy Program on Functional Capacity in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Objective: To investigate whether patients undergoing aquatic physiotherapy in groups improve their functional capacity, by means of the distance covered in the six-minute walk test (6WT), and to compare this with a control group. Methods: Forty women that had not been practicing regular physical activity for one year were randomly allocated either to the Study Group (SG) to undergo an aquatic physiotherapy program in groups applied twice a week, including aerobic exercises, muscle strengthening and relaxation for 12 weeks, or to the Control Group (CG), which did not do any physical activity. Both groups maintained their treatment with medications. All patients underwent two evaluations: one at the start and the other after 12 weeks.

The aquatic physiotherapy program for the SG was applied twice a week, in groups of six to seven people, with sessions lasting 40 minutes, over a 12-week period. The Control Group protocol included maintenance of the individuals' medication therapy and absence of any physical activity during the study period.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients of both genders with a medical diagnosis of FS, without age restrictions and without impaired cognition, who had not been practicing regular physical activity for one year Exclusion Criteria: Presence of other rheumatic diseases and cardiovascular problems Smoking Absence of medical permission for swimming pool activities Starting other therapies, or changes to and/or discontinuation of medical treatment