Estudio comparativo del efecto de un protocolo de fisioterapia en piscina versus sala en mujeres con fibromialgia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two physiotherapy protocols, one in and one out of water, for improving balance and decreasing pain in women with fibromyalgia. A single-blind randomised controlled clinical trial was carried out with 40 women assigned to two intervention groups: aquatic therapy (n=20) and land-based therapy (control group, n=20). Thirty-six sessions were performed, each lasting 60 minutes. The pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, static, dynamic and functional balance, number of falls, self-confidence in balance, quality of life, fatigue, quality of sleep and physical capacity were evaluated, with validated tools, at three moments: baseline, at the end of the 3-month intervention period, and 6-weeks post-treatment. The therapy groups were comparable in sociodemographic and clinical outcomes at baseline. Both protocols were beneficial in all parameters evaluated. When comparing interventions, aquatic therapy was more effective than land-based therapy in improving sleep quality and pain intensity at 6 weeks of follow-up. The therapeutic effects achieved at the end of the intervention period were maintained longer in the aquatic therapy group.