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Cited by 80Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchBalance, Gait, and Falls PreventionStroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

Altered Functional Performance in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Open access
Costa, Isis da Silva, Gamundí, Antoni, Miranda, José G. Vivas, França, Lucas G. Souza, De Santana, Charles Novaes, Montoya, Pedro·2017·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
DOI 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00014PMC PMC5266716
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Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain condition that exerts a considerable impact on patients’ daily activities and quality of life. Objectives: The main objective of the present study was to evaluate kinematic parameters of gait, functional performance and balance in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. Methods: The study included 26 female patients with fibromyalgia (49.2 ± 8.0 yrs) according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, as well as 16 pain-free women (43.5 ± 8.5 yrs). Gait and balance parameters were extracted from video recordings of participants performing several motor tasks. Non-linear dynamic of body sway time series was also analyzed by computing the Hurst exponent. In addition, functional performance and clinical pain were obtained by using standardized motor tests (Berg´s balance scale, six-minute walking test, timed up and go task, Romberg’s balance test) and self-report questionnaires (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire). Results: Walking speed was significantly diminished (p < .001) in FM patients as compared to pain-free controls, probably due to significant reductions in stride length (p < .001) and cycle frequency (p < .001). Analyses of balance also revealed significant differences between fibromyalgia and pain-free controls on body sway in the medial-lateral and anterior-posterior axes (all ps < .01). Several parameters of gait and balance were significantly associated with high levels of pain, depression, stiffness, anxiety and fatigue in fibromyalgia. Conclusion: Our data revealed that both gait and balance were severely impaired in FM, and that subjective complaints associated with FM could contribute to functional disability in these patients. These findings suggest that optimal rehabilitation and fall prevention in fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive assessment of both psychological responses to pain and physical impairments during postural control and gait.

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  • Patients with chronic pain often have deficits in motor performance, including restricted movement or altered motor planning, leading to posture, gait and balance insufficiencies.

    “Patients with chronic pain often have deficits in motor performance, including restricted movement or altered motor planning,20 leading to posture, gait and balance insufficiencies.19,21”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [19]

    The Discussion reports impaired gait, balance, and postural control in patients with fibromyalgia compared with pain-free controls. It does not establish that restricted movement or altered motor planning leads to those impairments, or that the finding applies to chronic-pain patients generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Balance confidence, decreased muscle strength and altered biomechanics can negatively affect patients' quality of life by increasing the risk of falling, fall-related injuries and fear of falling.

    “Balance confidence, decreased muscle strength and altered biomechanics can negatively affect patients’ quality of life by increasing the risk of falling, fall-related injuries and fear of falling,9,17,19,30”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [19]

    The Discussion reports altered gait and balance in patients with fibromyalgia and suggests that abnormal body sway could explain a higher risk of falls; it also cites reduced muscle strength reported in earlier studies. The Results link fall-risk scores to physical functioning. The paper does not establish the claimed pathway through fall-related injuries or fear of falling, or assess balance confidence as a contributing factor. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Despite the evidence of altered gait and postural parameters in FM, little is known about how these abnormalities are linked to clinical variables such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, or depression.

    “Despite the evidence of altered gait and postural parameters in FM, little is known about how these abnormalities are linked to clinical variables such as pain, fatigue, stiffness, or depression.19”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [19]

  • The symptoms of FM may lead to a sedentary lifestyle by reducing physical abilities, which can lead to adverse effects on the functional capacity of the patient.

    “The symptoms of FM may lead to a sedentary lifestyle by reducing physical abilities, which can lead to adverse effects on the functional capacity of the patient.19”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [19]

  • Gait in fibromyalgia patients may be achieved preferentially by recruiting hip flexors instead of ankle plantar flexors, increasing metabolic demands and contributing to fatigue.

    “Gait in FM patients may be achieved preferentially by recruiting hip flexors instead of ankle plantar flexors, increasing metabolic demands and contributing to fatigue.19”

    From A Review of Movement and Functional Impairments in Fibromyalgia: Implications for Targeted Treatment (2025) · cites this paper as [19]

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7 of the 58 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Feder J. (1988). Fractals. New York, NY: Springer.

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Authors
Costa, I. D. S., Gamundí, A., Miranda, J. G. V., França, L. G. S., De Santana, C. N., & Montoya, P.
Affiliations
  • Research Institute of Health Sciences (ES)
  • Universidade Federal da Bahia (BR)
Corresponding author
Montoya, Pedro
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2017-01-26
Volume
11
Pages
14-14
ISSN
1662-5161 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fnhum.2017.00014
PMC
PMC5266716
OpenAlex
W2582352836
Cited by
80
References
58
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 3
FWCI
5.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) (Harvard University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Docusalut (Conselleria de Salut i Consum del Govern de les Illes Balears) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • UCL Discovery (University College London) (submittedVersion)
  • Hispana (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (201499/2012-6)
  • Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (PSI2010-19372)
  • Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte (SAF2007-66878-C02-02)
  • Universitat de les Illes Balears (FPI-UIB2011)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation › Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Keywords
fibromyalgia, gait kinematics, balance disorders, functional performance, walking speed, stride length, postural sway, Hurst exponent, postural control, chronic pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, stiffness, fall prevention, women

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