Cervical Multifidus Morphology and Quality Are Not Associated with Clinical Variables in Women with Fibromyalgia: An Observational Study

Objective. Some studies have reported the presence of histological alterations, such as myofiber disorganization and abnormalities in the number and shape of mitochondria, in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Although Ultrasound imaging (US) is used to quantitatively characterize muscle tissues, US studies in patients with FMS are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to describe morphological and qualitative cervical multifidus (CM) muscle US features in women with FMS and to assess their correlation with clinical indicators. Design. Observational study. Setting. AFINSYFACRO Fibromyalgia Association (Madrid, Spain). Subjects. Forty-five women with FMS participated. Methods. Sociodemographic variables (e.g., age, height, weight, body mass index) and clinical outcomes (e.g., pain as assessed on a numerical pain rating scale, evolution time, pain-related disability as assessed by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire) were collected. Images were acquired bilaterally at the cervical spine (C4–C5 level) and mea sured by an experienced examiner for assessment of muscle morphology (e.g., cross-sectional area, perimeter, and shape) and quality (mean echo intensity and intramuscular fatty infiltration). Side-to-side comparisons and a correla tional analysis were conducted. Results. No significant side-to-side differences were found for morphology or quality features (P > 0.05). None of the clinical indicators were associated with US characteristics (all, P > 0.05). Conclusion. Our results showed no side-to-side differences for CM morphology and quality as assessed with US. No associa tions between CM muscle morphology or quality and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, pressure pain threshold, numerical pain rating scale score, or evolution time were observed. Our preliminary data suggest that muscle mor phology is not directly related to pain and pain-related disability in women with FM

Association of Neuropathic Pain Symptoms with Sensitization Related Symptomatology in Women with Fibromyalgia

We aimed to analyze potential correlations between S-LANSS and PainDETECT with proxies for pain sensitization, e.g., the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and pressure pain hyperalgesia (construct validity), pain-related or psychological variables (concurrent validity) in women with fibromyalgia (FMS). One-hundred-and-twenty-six females with FMS completed demographic, pain-related variables, psychological, and sensitization outcomes as well as the S-LANSS and the PainDETECT questionnaires. S-LANSS was positively associated with BMI (r = 0.206), pain intensity (r = 0.206 to 0.298) and CSI score (r = 0.336) and negatively associated with all PPTs (r = −0.180 to −0.336). PainDETECT was negatively associated with age (r = −0.272) and all PPTs (r = −0.226 to −0.378) and positively correlated with pain intensity (r = 0.258 to 0.439), CSI (r = 0.538), anxiety (r = 0.246) and depression (r = 0.258). 51.4% of the S-LANSS was explained by PainDETECT (45.3%), posterior iliac PPT (0.2%) and mastoid PPT (5.9%), whereas the 56.4% of PainDETECT was explained by S-LANSS (43.4%), CSI (10.4%), and pain intensity (2.6%). This study found good convergent association between S-LANSS and PainDETECT in women with FMS. Additionally, S-LANSS was associated with PPTs whereas PainDETECT was associated with pain intensity and CSI, suggesting that both questionnaires assess different spectrums of the neuropathic and pain sensitization components of a condition and hence provide synergistic information

The hand grip force test as a measure of physical function in women with fibromyalgia

Previous studies have reported the presence of muscle weakness in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) which is considered a risk factor for developing earlier disability and dependence during activities of daily life (ADL). We aimed to assess the relationship between hand grip force with sociodemographic, clinical, disease‐specific, cognitive, and physical function variables in women with FMS. One hundred twenty‐six women with FMS completed demographic (age, gender, height, weight, body mass index), pain‐related (pain history, pain intensity at rest and during ADL), disease‐ specific severity (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire ‐FIQ‐S‐, Fibromyalgia Health Assessment Questionnaire ‐FHAQ‐, EuroQol‐5D, Pain Catastrophizing Scale ‐PCS‐, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index‐ PSQI‐, Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire ‐PVAQ‐, and Central Sensitization Inventory ‐CSI‐ ), psychological (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, TKS‐11; Pain Vigilance and Awareness Questionnaire, PVAQ; Pain Catastrophizing Scale, PCS), and physical function (hand grip force, and Timed Up and Go Test, TUG). Hand grip force was associated with height (r = −0.273), BMI (r = 0.265), worst pain at rest (r = −0.228), pain during ADL (r = −0.244), TUG (r = −0.406), FHAQ (r = −0.386), EuroQol‐5D (r = 0.353), CSI (r = −0.321) and PSQI (r = −0.250). The stepwise regression analysis revealed that 34.4% of hand grip force was explained by weight (6.4%), TUG (22.2%), and FHAQ (5.8%) variables. This study found that hand grip force is associated with physical function indicators, but not with fear‐avoidance behaviors nor pain‐related features of FMS. Hand grip force could be considered as an easy tool for identifying the risk of fall and poorer physical health status.Vicerrectorado de Investigación - Universidad Camilo José Cel

Effects of Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Countermovement Jump and Squat Performance Speed in Male Soccer Players: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract: It has been suggested that Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) can increase muscle strength. No previous study has investigated changes in performance in semiprofessional soccer players. This study compares the effects of adding two sessions of PENS to a training program versus the single training program over sport performance attributes (e.g., jump height and squat speed) in healthy soccer players. A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted on twenty-three semiprofessional soccer players who were randomized into an experimental (PENS + training program) or control (single training program) group. The training program consisted of endurance and strength exercises separated by 15-min recovery period, three times/week. The experimental group received two single sessions of PENS one-week apart. Flight time and vertical jump height during the countermovement jump and squat performance speed were assessed before and after each session, and 30 days after the last session. Male soccer players receiving the PENS intervention before the training session experienced greater increases in the flight time, and therefore, in vertical jump height, after both sessions, but not one month after than those who did not receive the PENS intervention (F = 4.289, p = 0.003, η 2 p: 0.170). Similarly, soccer players receiving the PENS intervention experienced a greater increase in the squat performance speed after the second session, but not after the first session or one month after (F = 7.947, p < 0.001, η 2 p: 0.275). Adding two sessions of ultrasound-guided PENS before a training strength program improves countermovement jump and squat performance speed in soccer players

The Relationship between Vegetarian Diet and Sports Performance: A Systematic Review

2022 Descuento MDPIIntroduction: In recent years, the vegetarian diet has increased in popularity among athletes. The aim of this review is to ascertain the differences in variables related to performance, nutritional intake, and health in athletes according to whether they are omnivores or vegetarians. Methodology: A literature search was carried out in different databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Dialnet, and Cochrane. The keywords used were “vegetarian diet”, “vegan diet”, “exercise”, “sport”, and “performance”. After applying different inclusion criteria, six studies were included in the review. Results: No significant differences were obtained in variables related to physical performance (adherence exercise, Vo2Máx, muscle power, and sprint test) or health (body composition, psychological well-being, and social relationships), but dietary intake was significantly higher in carbohydrates and lower in proteins in vegetarian athletes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It cannot be affirmed that vegetarian subjects have a higher sports performance, for which more research should be carried out.Depto. de Radiología, Rehabilitación y FisioterapiaFac. de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y PodologíaTRUEpubDescuento UC