Assessment of the relationship between postural stability and sleep quality in patients with fibromyalgia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of postural stability and sleep disorders in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. Frequency of falls in the last 6 months in 48 fibromyalgia and 32 control subjects were recorded. Postural stability was assessed by static posturography device (Tetrax, Sunlight Medical Ltd., Israel). Functional assessment consisted of lower-body strength; one-leg stance test were applied to all subjects. Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ), sleep quality numeric rating scale (NRS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were inquired. The number of falls in the last 6 months was significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group. Mean total value of stability indexes was 201.7 ± 70.9 vs. 162.6 ± 29.6 in fibromyalgia and control subjects (p < 0.05). NRS and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were significantly higher in fibromyalgia patients. It was detected that there were significant relationships between fall risk and NRS scores (r = 0.565), and FIQ fatigue subscores (r = 0.560) (both p < 0.05). Worse postural performance and fall risk found in the fibromyalgia patients compared to controls were related with the sleep quality in the last 24 h and level of fatigue. © 2012 Clinical Rheumatology.