Strength training improves sleep in people with fibromyalgia, says new small study

Exercises that focus on strength, muscles and anaerobic endurance are a safe and effective way of treating people with fibromyalgia, and decrease sleep disturbances, a team reports in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.

A research group looked at the effect of a strength training programme on pain and sleep quality in people with fibromyalgia: 31 people had strength training and 21 were in a control group.

After eight weeks, significant differences were found between the groups in quality of sleep, sleep disturbance, daytime dysfunction and total sleep score. They also found that when pain intensity increased in people with fibromyalgia, sleep quality worsened.

“Strength training is safe and effective in treating people with fibromyalgia, and a significant decrease in sleep disturbances occurs after eight weeks of intervention,” the researchers conclude.

Click here to read the original research.

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