Relationship between handgrip strength, disease impact, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1981-4690.2025e39227674Keywords:
Physical activity, Functional capacity, Chronic pain, Muscle strengthAbstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between handgrip strength (HGS), disease impact, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia (FM). The study is characterized as cross-sectional, and 91 women with FM, with a mean age of 49.37 ± 9.77 years, were assessed for disease impact (FIQR), quality of life (SF-12v2), demographic data, anthropometrics, and HGS. Handgrip strength (HGS) values below 23.1 kg were considered low, and the women were divided into two groups according to HGS: < 23.1 kg and ≥ 23.1 kg. The Student's t-test and Cohen's d were used to compare and estimate the effect size, respectively, between the variables of the groups. Pearson's correlation was used between the variables. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between the groups for total FIQR and its function and overall impact domains (d = 0.58, 0.74, and 0.47, respectively), and SF-12v2 physical (d = -0.62) and mental (d = -0.41) components, favoring the group with HGS ≥ 23.1 kg. Significant inverse correlations were found between HGS and total FIQR and domains (r = -0.21 to -0.31). Significant positive correlations were found between HGS and the physical (r = 0.35) and mental (r = 0.29) components of SF-12v2. Women with low levels of HGS exhibited greater FM impact and poorer quality of life, mainly related to the physical aspects of FIQR and SF-12v2. HGS can be used as an aid tool in screening and management, particularly for the physical condition of women with FM.
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