Predictors of Exercise Volume in Women with Fibromyalgia (FM)

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, complex, chronic pain syndrome. According to the FDA, Fibromyalgia (FM) affects approximately 10 million people in the United States, with women affected in numbers disproportionate to men.1 Although the pathogenesis of FM is not entirely understood, research indicates neuroendocrine disturbances, as well as central nervous system malfunction, resulting in amplification of pain transmission and interpretation which may be triggered by certain environmental factors (e.g., physical and emotional stressors) in genetically predisposed individuals.2,3 Chronic pain, fatigue, stiffness, and other FM-associated symptoms frequently impair an individual's functional capabilities. Research indicates that appropriate exercise is one of the key components of a multimodal approach to treatment for people with FM.4 However, little research has examined variables that contribute to exercise adherence and exercise intensity among women with fibromyalgia.5