Influence of regular physical exercise on the psychological state of fibromyalgia patients, with and without a co-diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome

ABSTRACT

Background. It has been demonstrated that regular physical exercise (RPE) improves the life quality of patients with fibromyalgia (FM). However, the influence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) comorbidity on this aspect remains unknown. Objectives. To assess how CFS co-diagnosis affects the performance of RPE by FM patients and how RPE influences the psychological state of these patients with or without CFS diagnosis. Methods. In a group of FM patients, with (FM+CFS group) or without CFS (FM group), we evaluated the percentage of patients performing RPE and how it affects their psychological state and life quality with respect to a control group of women in the same age range as reference. For this purpose, scientifically validated questionnaires were used, including those assessing fear and anxiety related to COVID 19. The results were analyzed using the Student's t-test setting with a p≤0.05. Results. Paradoxically, FM+CSF group presented a higher percentage of women who performed RPE, even in the same order of magnitude as the control group. RPE improved, in both groups of patients with FM, stress, and state anxiety levels. However, it only improved the state of depression and trait anxiety in the FM group. Conclusion. The performance of RPE positively affects the psychological state and life quality of fibromyalgia patients, without a strong influence on the co-diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.