The effect of exercise program on daytime sleepiness and pain level in female patients diagnosed fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a rare intraarticular rheumatic disease with unknown etiology that is frequently seen in women . Although, there is not a definitive treatment for the disease, many symptom-reducing methods are used for treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes in pain and sleepiness related to exercise which are the most common symptoms in FMS patients. Sixty patients diagnosed as FMS were evaluated by a physician according to American College of Rheumatology criteria. The control group consisted of 30 patients who were referred to physical therapy clinics and 30 patients as treatment group who were not directed to clinics. In the first session, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (EUS) was used to determine the daytime sleepiness of treatment group and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to determine the pain level. Pain type and pain area were evaluated by McGill Pain Scale. Patients were included in the exercise program for 15 sessions and the exercise program was also thought as a home-based exercise. Stretching, relaxation and strengthening exercises are included in the exercise program. At the end of the 15-session program (19 days), EUS, VAS and Mcgill Pain Scale were reapplied to the patients and values were recorded. Patient in the control group were evaluated with the same questionnairre as applied to treatment group on the first day and 19 days after they were diagnosed. When the data were evaluated, before the exercise program it was observed that the pain levels of the treatment group patients showed a significant decrease after exercise(p<0,05). There was no statistically significant change in the pain levels of the control group patients (p> 0,05). The EUS scores of the treatment group patients were significantly reduced after the exercise program compared to the pre-exercise program (p<0,05). This study shows that the regular exercise program applied to the illness reduces the daily sleepiness score and pain levels.For this reason, we think that directing FMS patients to a regular exercise program is important in reducing the symptoms of the disease. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, pain, sleepiness, exercise