Knee Proprioception and Balance in Turkish Women With and Without Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare proprioceptive acuity and balance parameters in women with and without fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Materials and Methods: Thirty women with FMS and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Functional performance by 6-minute walking test (6MWD), proprioceptive acuity by knee joint position sense using an isokinetic dynamometer, balance by the one-legged balance test and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were assessed; and number of falls was recorded in all participants. Pain by the visual analogue scale (VAS pain) and disease activity by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) were evaluated in all patients. Results: The mean age of the patients and controls were 41 +/- 9.20 years and 40.67 +/- 9.03 years, respectively. There were significant differences between the patients and controls in 6MWD (p<0.05), one-legged balance testing time (p<0.001), and BBS scores (p<0.001). There was no difference in the number of falls and proprioceptive acuity between the patients and controls (p>0.05). VAS pain and FIQ were not correlated with balance tests and proprioceptive acuity; and proprioceptive acuity was not correlated with 6MWD and balance tests in patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that women with FMS may have poor balance, which is not related to proprioceptive acuity, compared to women without FMS.