Effects of core stabilization exercises on sexual function, pain, sleep and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of core stabilization exercises on sexual function, pain, sleep and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Material Method: 48 patients with fibromyalgia between the ages of 25-60 were randomly assigned to either home exercise or core stabilization exercise groups. The program was given for 8 weeks, 2 days a week, each session lasting 30 minutes. Demographic information of the patients was obtained. Pain was assessed using VAS; disease severity using FQIR; the effect of pelvic floor symptoms on quality of life using PFIQ-7; sexual function using FSFI; sleep quality using PSQI; and quality of life using Short Form SF-36. Results: In the intragroup comparison, significant differences were found in pain scores, FQIR scores, PFIQ-7, FSFI, PSQI and all subscores of SF-36 in both groups (p<0.05). In the comparison between the groups, it was found that core stabilization exercises were significantly superior in FQIR score, all subparameters of FSFI and emotional role, physical function, fitness/fatigue, physical role, social function and pain parameters of SF-36 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Core stabilization exercises and home exercises with follow-up have positive effects in reducing pain and disease severity, improving sexual function, sleep and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia; it was also found that core stabilization exercises may have superior effects in terms of reducing disease severity, improving sexual dysfunction and quality of life. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, Core stabilization exercises, Pain, Sexual dysfunction, Quality of life