Background Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and the presence of tender points associated with sleep disturbance, fatigue, chronic headaches and psychiatric disorders, factors that may be associated with falls. Few studies have described the existence of a relationship between fibromyalgia and increased risk of falls.

Objectives To assess the postural control (center of gravity oscillation), strength of lower limb and pain in individuals with and without FM.

Methods The study included 47 women aged between 35 and 60 years old divided into two groups: Fibromyalgia Group (FG) n=25 and Control Group (CG), n=22 without FM. In order to characterize the subjects it has been used the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) [1,2]. The postural control was assessed by mCTSIB test on the Balance Master NeuroCom System force platform, muscular strength with portable Dynamometer, pain with visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain threshold with digital algometer. A descriptive and inferential analysis of the data (t Student test, Mann-Whitney U test and significance level α =0.05) has been made.

Results The FG presented higher score in QIF and higher number of positive tender points; 72% of the group reported dizziness. The FG presented worse postural control, with faster center of gravity oscillation (COG) (p=0.025), and right quadriceps maximal isisometric strength lower than the CG (p<0.001), greater pain intensity (p<0.001) and lower pain threshold (p<0.001).

Conclusions The GF presented a higher COG oscillation speed, lower limbs muscle strength decreasing, more intense pain and lower threshold.

1. Burckhardt CS, Clark SR, Bennett RM. The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire: Development and Validation. J Rheumatol, 1991, 18: 728-33.

2. Marques AP, Santos AMB, Assumpção A, Matsutani LA, Lage LV, Pereira CAB. Validation of the Brazilian version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) Rev Bras Reumatol 2006: 24 (1): 24-31.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared