[Muscular strength in patients with fibromyalgia. A literature review]

Do patients with fibromyalgia (FM) have reduced muscular strength? We examined 22 articles and conclude from the results of these that FM patients have reduced muscular strength in their hands and quadriceps. The material also suggests generalised reduced muscular strength. However, the studies have several methodological shortcomings and future studies should be carefully designed with respect to patients as well as the control group and should be larger. To avoid CNS influence from e.g. fatigue and pain, muscular electro-stimulation may be used to ensure that the actual maximal muscular strength is also measured.