Assessment of the Functional Capacity of Patients with Fibromyalgia: Clinical Validity

NCT06819930 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: URamonLlull
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 160
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

Fibromyalgia is one of the main causes of chronic pain without a specific etiology, affecting 8% of the Spanish population, especially women. Its most characteristic symptoms include generalized pain, fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, joint stiffness, anxiety, and depression. Due to the lack of objective data confirming the condition and the subjectivity of the symptoms, the current diagnosis is purely clinical. Moreover, despite the significant impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it, there is a lack of scientific evidence to assess the degree to which it affects their functional and work capacity. This concept is gaining relevance in the growing context of patients seeking work disability. Thus, due to the lack of international consensus and standardized protocols, this study hypothesizes that the functional capacity of Spanish women with fibromyalgia, aged 30 to 64, evaluated with various validated tests such as the six-minute walking test (6MWT), handgrip strength dynamometry, and the 8-foot up \& go, correlates directly with their quality of life, physical activity measured by accelerometry, and social and psychological impact, provided there is no economic benefit. Therefore, the primary aim of this research is to validate a standardized protocol for evaluating the functional and work capacity of Spanish women with fibromyalgia and to assess its correlation with quality of life, physical activity, and psychosocial impact. The study will include a total sample of 160 women, divided into four groups of 40 participants: women with fibromyalgia who are actively working, women with fibromyalgia on sick leave, women with fibromyalgia with permanent work disability (officially recognized by the National Institute of Social Security, INSS), and a control group of healthy women. The patients will be required to attend in person to complete the full protocol, with a one-week interval between sessions. Subsequently, two follow-ups will be conducted at 6 and 12 months, where the work situation will be reassessed, and questionnaires will be administered. The protocol includes the following variables for study: age, weight, height, marital status, country of origin, socioeconomic level, educational level, occupation, work situation, generalized pain index questionnaire, symptom severity questionnaire, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, allodynia test, six-minute walking test, 8-foot up and go, handgrip strength dynamometry, tender points, false points, SF-36 questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, multidimensional perceived social support scale, and accelerometry. The aim of this study is to analyze in greater depth the validity of the tests currently used in clinics to objectively assess the functional capacity of patients with fibromyalgia. In this way, this study will become the first to present and evaluate the validity and reliability of a protocol for assessing functional capacity. If the proposed hypothesis is proven, these tests and evaluation methods will be highly useful for systematic incorporation into the routine of functional capacity assessment services, as well as in daily clinical practice.

Conditions

Fibromyalgia (FM); Work Ability; Physical Activity; Physical Functioning; Physical Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Reliability of a Standardized Protocol for Functional Capacity Evaluation in Patients with Fibromyalgia

  The primary outcome will assess the reliability of a standardized protocol for evaluating the functional capacity of Spanish women with fibromyalgia. The protocol includes the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), handgrip strength dynamometry, and the 8-foot Up \& Go test. These measures will be evaluated for their consistency and accuracy in reflecting functional capacity over a 12-month period. For each test (6MWT, handgrip strength dynamometry and 8 feet up and go) the unit of measure for reliability will be intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), measurement error (ME), small detectable change (SDC) and minimal important change (MIC).

  Baseline and 12 months

• Validity of a Standardized Protocol for Functional Capacity Evaluation in Patients with Fibromyalgia

  The primary outcome will assess the validity of a standardized protocol for evaluating the functional capacity of Spanish women with fibromyalgia. The protocol includes the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), handgrip strength dynamometry, and the 8-foot Up \& Go test. These measures will be evaluated for their consistency and accuracy in reflecting functional capacity over a 12-month period. For each test (6MWT, handgrip strength dynamometry and 8 feet up and go test) the unit of measure for validity will be correlation coefficient (r).

  Baseline and 12 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Levels of Physical Activity (light, moderate and vigorous) and sedentary time in Different Fibromyalgia Patient Groups Measured by Triaxial Accelerometers

  Baseline and 12 months

• Convergent Validity of Functional Assessments (6MWT, Handgrip Strength Dynamometry, and 8-Foot Up & Go) Compared to the Self-Administered Functional Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-R)

  Baseline and 12 months

• Predictive Validity of Functional Tests for Return to Work, Fibromyalgia Impact (FIQ-R), Short- and Medium-Term Quality of Life, Psychological Impact, and Social Impact

  Baseline, 6 months, and 12 months

Study Arms (4)

Women with Fibromyalgia who are actively working

Other: Physical Assessments, Questionnaires, and Accelerometry for Fibromyalgia evaluation

Women with Fibromyalgia on sick leave

Other: Physical Assessments, Questionnaires, and Accelerometry for Fibromyalgia evaluation

Women with Fibromyalgia with permanent work disability (oficially recognized by the INSS)

Other: Physical Assessments, Questionnaires, and Accelerometry for Fibromyalgia evaluation

Control group of sedentary women without Fibromyalgia

Other: Physical Assessments, Questionnaires, and Accelerometry for Fibromyalgia evaluation

Interventions

Physical Assessments, Questionnaires, and Accelerometry for Fibromyalgia evaluation OTHER

This study involves a combination of functional tests, questionnaires, and activity measurement using accelerometers. The functional tests include the six-minute walk test (6MWT), handgrip strength dynamometry, and the 8-foot up \& go test. Participants will also complete validated questionnaires assessing symptoms, quality of life, and psychosocial impact. Additionally, accelerometers will be used to objectively measure physical activity levels throughout the study period

Control group of sedentary women without Fibromyalgia; Women with Fibromyalgia on sick leave; Women with Fibromyalgia who are actively working; Women with Fibromyalgia with permanent work disability (oficially recognized by the INSS)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 64 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study will include a total of 160 women, calculated using the Epidat version 3.1 statistical software (University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain). The sample size was estimated based on the average and standard deviation of parameters considered for diagnosing fibromyalgia, the General Pain Index (IDG), and the Symptom Severity Index (EGS). The maximum acceptable error percentage is 5%, accounting for variability in the EGS questionnaire among women with active employment-related fibromyalgia. A confidence level of 95% was used for the calculation. The sample will be divided into four groups, each comprising 40 women to account for a 15% anticipated dropout rate. The groups are as follows: Women with fibromyalgia who are actively working. Women with fibromyalgia on sick leave. Women with fibromyalgia with permanent work disability (officially recognized by the INSS). A control group of sedentary women without fibromyalgia

You may qualify if:

• Women aged between 30 and 64 years old with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia made by a rheumatologist or family doctor following the ACR diagnostic criteria.
• For the control group, women matched by age with no diagnosis of fibromyalgia and with a sedentary lifestyle will be included.
• All participants must agree to be part of the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Illiteracy and/or lack of understanding of Spanish.
• Severe psychiatric and/or psychological disorders, associated musculoskeletal diseases that could increase pain, such as uncontrolled endocrine disorders, autoimmune diseases, and/or other associated rheumatological or neurological conditions.
• Additionally, patients who refuse to participate in the study or any condition that, in the investigator\'s judgment, would prevent proper adherence to the protocol will be excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Ramon Llull: lead

Study Sites (2)

CAP Vila Olímpica

Barcelona, Barcelona, 08005, Spain

Location

Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i l'Esport (Blanquerna-URL)

Barcelona, Barcelona, 08022, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fibromyalgia; Motor Activity

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires; Accelerometry

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 1 Year
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 22, 2025
• First Posted: February 11, 2025
• Study Start: March 14, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2025
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: February 11, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (2)