Fibromyalgia and vibratory platform exercise: Cortisol improvement and women´s quality of life

OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of an exercise protocol, using vibratory platform, in quality of life and the cortisol rhythmicity in fibromyalgic women. METHODS: Twenty women, which 10 were healthy and 10 were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. All of them performed an exercise program on a vibratory platform and were evaluated for salivary cortisol production throughout the day before and after the treatment. The volunteers with fibromyalgia were also evaluated with a specific questionnaire for quality of life before and after the treatment. Salivary samples were collected at 6 a.m., noon, 6 p.m. and before bedtime, 10 p.m. Cortisol was quantified using immunoenzymatic assay. RESULTS: Women with fibromyalgia improved their quality of life and started to have an adjustment in the cortisol rhythmicity after exercise. Even considering the limitations of the volunteers’ number who participated in this pilot, a relationship between the improvement of the quality of life and the adjustment in the cortisol rhythmicity produced by the exercise program practiced could be assumed.