Assessment of sarcopenia in patients with fibromyalgiaand efficiency of home exercise programme

Objectives : It was aimed to evaluate patients with FMS diagnosis according to ACR 2016 diagnostic criteria in terms of sarcopenia clinically and objectively with US. In addition, the effectiveness of stretching and strengthening exercise, which is emphasized for sarcopenia, was examined. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients classified as FMS according to FMS ACR 2016 diagnostic criteria, who applied to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Polyclinics between 01 January 2022 and 1 September 2022 were included in our study. Among the patients who applied to the outpatient clinic, those who accepted to participate in the study were divided into 2 groups according to the randomization scheme accessed via the internet. One of these groups was given a controlled home exercise program, which was demonstrated by the physician and supported by visual cards. The other group was told to exercise freely and unsupervised. They were advised to exercise regularly, only verbally. The patients were evaluated with US, muscle thickness measurement, hand grip strength with dynamometer, six-meter walking speed test, five times sit and stand test, timed get up and go test, BDI, FIQ, EBSS, at the beginning and after 12 weeks of exercise therapy. Results: When the sociodemographic data were analyzed, no difference was found between the groups. As a result of the evaluation of the muscles with US, there was no difference between the groups after the treatment. However, in the comparison of the difference between the post-exercise and preexercise values of muscle thickness, a significant difference was found in favor of the controlled exercise group in the biceps brachii and quadriceps femoris muscles. In addition to these, an increase in muscle thickness was found in the in-group evaluation of the patients in the controlled exercise group. Hand grip strength showed a more significant improvement in both in-group and between-group comparisons in the controlled exercise group after the followup. Significant increases were found in physical function assessment tests. There was a significant decrease in BDI and FIQ scores in the controlled exercise group. Conclusion: After the controlled home exercise program of the patients, an increase in muscle thickness measured by US, an increase in physical performance, a decrease in depression level and a decrease in FIQ results were observed. Keywords: Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Sarcopenia, Ultrasound, Exercise