Physical activity level and physical performance in the 6-minute walk test in women with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition that causes impaired functional capacity, possibly through the adoption of sedentary behaviour. However, little is known regarding physical activity level and its relationship with physical performance in women with FM.

To compare physical activity level, assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and physical performance, measured using the six-minute walk test (6MWT), in women with and without FM, and to examine the possible relationships between physical activity level and physical performance in both groups.

The study included 30 women diagnosed with FM (patients) and 28 healthy women (controls) who answered the IPAQ and performed the 6MWT.

Patients and controls self-reported similar physical activity level, considering both the total score and all IPAC subcomponents (P > 0.05). However, the FM patients had worse physical performance in the 6MWT (patients, 441.8 ± 84.1 m vs. controls, 523.9 ± 80.3 m; P < 0.01). There were no relationships between the distance walked in the 6MWT and the IPAQ variables for the control group. However, the distance walked by patients in the test showed a significant correlation (P < 0.05) with the total score and the subcomponents transport, household activities, and physical activities of moderate intensity in the IPAQ.

Women with FM had physical activity levels similar to women without FM but exhibited worse physical performance. This functional impairment may be related to lifestyle adopted because there was a relationship between physical activity level and physical performance in those patients.