Sophrology for fibromyalgia? Stick to resistance training to improve strength and function says new research  

Exercise is recommended to improve wellbeing in people with fibromyalgia; some people find that relaxation exercises help too but evidence has not been conclusive about the beneficial effects. So a research group compared sophrology (gentle yoga-based exercises) and resistance training as a way to improve pain of 60 women with fibromyalgia.

The women were split into groups. Half participated in a relaxation programme based on sophrology and the other half participated in a resistance training programme for biceps, pectoral, triceps, knee extensors, trapezius, knee flexors, hip abductors.

Both groups were treated twice a week for 12 weeks and evaluated every four weeks.

The resistance group had decreases in pain during the evaluations and increased strength of the evaluated muscles.

“No differences in pain were found between the groups,” the team reveals. “Resistance training was more effective than sophrology in improving strength and functional capacity of women with fibromyalgia.”

Click here to read the original research.

Arthritis Digest Magazine was selected by Feedspot as one of the Top 5 Arthritis Blogs on the internet in 2018.

For more in-depth features, interviews and information, subscribe to Arthritis Digest magazine, a popular title that’s published six times a year. Click here for the digital version or tel 0845 643 8470 to order your had copy. You’ll know what your doctor is talking about, what new drugs are in the pipeline and be up to date on helpful products.