A comparison of core muscle endurance of females with fibromyalgia versus healthy females: An observational study

Introduction

Despite the numerous benefits of core muscle strengthening in improving symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM), limited studies have quantified core muscle function in FM patients.

Objective

To compare the core muscle endurance of FM females with age-matched healthy females and determine whether a correlation exists between core muscle endurance and FM severity.

Materials and methods

Pre-diagnosed female FM patients (n = 7) and age-matched healthy females (n = 19) were assessed using McGill's core endurance tests in four positions – flexion, extension, and bilateral side-bridge. The longest contraction holding time (in seconds) in each position was noted and compared in both groups. Additionally, patient-reported Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores were obtained to determine disease severity.

Results

The mean holding time for trunk extensors (26.14 ± 7.7 s), right lateral flexors (20.14 ± 8.3 s), and left lateral flexors (20.86 ± 5.3 s) was significantly lower in the FM females than the healthy females (trunk extensors = 55.21 ± 17.1 s; right lateral flexors = 36.05 ± 13.2 s; left lateral flexors = 35.11 ± 13.8 s). The endurance of trunk flexors was statistically similar in both groups (FM females = 52.14 ± 27.9 s; healthy females = 74.37 ± 37.7 s). Lastly, core muscle endurance was not correlated with the FIQ scores in FM patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this preliminary study revealed that core extensor and lateral flexor endurance in FM females was lower than their healthy female counterparts. Larger sample studies are needed to further substantiate our findings.