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. 2014 May 3;7:237–242. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S61312

Pain severity is associated with muscle strength and peak oxygen uptake in adults with fibromyalgia

W Michael Hooten 1,2,✉, Jolene M Smith 3, Jason S Eldrige 1, David A Olsen 3, W David Mauck 1, Susan M Moeschler 1
PMCID: PMC4014369  PMID: 24833914

Abstract

Background

The associations between pain, lower extremity strength, and aerobic conditioning have not been widely investigated in adults with fibromyalgia (FM). The principle objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between pain severity and knee strength in patients seeking treatment for FM. A secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between pain scores and aerobic conditioning.

Methods

Three measures of knee strength (isokinetic extensor, isokinetic flexor, isometric extensor) were quantified in the dominant leg of 69 adults with FM using a dynamometer at speeds of 60 degrees per second (60°/s) and 180°/s. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2) was assessed using a cycle ergometer, and pain was assessed using the pain severity subscale of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory.

Results

In univariable linear regression analyses using pain severity as the dependent variable, lesser values of isokinetic knee extensor strength at 60°/s (P=0.041) and 180°/s (P=0.010), isokinetic knee flexor strength at 60°/s (P=0.028) and 180°/s (P=0.003), and peak VO2 uptake (P=0.031) were predictive of greater pain severity scores. In multiple variable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and opioid use, the following associations retained statistical significance; isokinetic knee extensor strength at 60°/s (P=0.020) and 180°/s (P=0.003), isokinetic knee flexor strength at 60°/s (P=0.015) and 180°/s (P=0.001), and peak VO2 uptake (P=0.014). However, no significant associations were found between pain severity and isometric knee extensor strength.

Conclusion

The main findings from this study were that lesser values of isokinetic knee strength and peak VO2 uptake were predictive of greater pain severity scores. These results build on the findings of previous investigations, but ongoing research is needed to further characterize the effects of strength and peak VO2 uptake on the pathophysiology of FM.

Keywords: fibromyalgia, knee extensor strength, knee flexor strength, isokinetic, peak oxygen uptake

Introduction

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by the presence of diffuse widespread pain.1 Previous studies suggest FM is also associated with reduced knee strength2–4 and decreased levels of aerobic conditioning.5,6 Knee strength has been preferentially used because of its critical role in performing routine functional tasks, and easy accessibility of the lower extremity for strength testing. However, the associations between pain, lower extremity strength, and aerobic conditioning have not been widely investigated in adults with FM.

In a previous randomized equivalence trial, pain severity, knee strength, and aerobic conditioning measured as the peak uptake of oxygen (VO2) were quantified in a group of patients seeking treatment for FM.7 A secondary analysis of this data set found a relationship between knee extensor strength and pressure pain thresholds whereby greater knee strength (isokinetic extensor, isometric extensor) was predictive of higher pressure pain thresholds in univariable linear regression analyses and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for pain and other clinical factors including VO2, age, sex, and body mass index.8 These findings suggested greater muscle strength had a favorable impact on pressure pain thresholds, and the effect persisted after adjusting for pain severity. Pressure pain threshold is defined as the quantity of pressure needed to elicit pain, and was measured using a hand-held electronic algometer fitted with a 1.0 cm diameter foot plate. Muscle strength was measured using a dynamometer at rotational rates of 60 degrees per second (60°/s) and 180°/s, but the 180°/s rotational data have not been previously reported. In addition, the relationships between pain, strength, and VO2 have not been investigated. Therefore, the principal objective of this study was to further investigate the relationship between pain severity and knee strength in patients seeking treatment for FM. A secondary objective was to investigate the relationship between pain scores and aerobic conditioning measured as VO2. The current study represents a further secondary analysis of previously published data.7,8

Materials and methods

Study participants

The Mayo Foundation Institutional Review Board approved the study, and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier NCT01253395).9 As previously reported,7,8 patients were identified upon admission to the 3-week outpatient interdisciplinary pain treatment program from April 2006 to February 2008. Seventy-two patients participated in the study, and 69 completed the baseline assessment. Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of FM using the American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria and age older than 18 years.10 Exclusion criteria included the presence of an underlying disease process that could compromise the patient’s ability to perform strength testing and undergo an assessment of aerobic capacity. Examples of such diseases include ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, severe knee or hip osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Other exclusion criteria included pregnancy and severe psychiatric illness including a psychotic disorder (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder) and dementia.

Baseline demographic and pain characteristics

As previously reported,7,8 age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, current employment, duration of pain, current marital status, educational level, and current opioid use were determined upon admission to the 3-week pain treatment program.

Extensor and flexor knee strength

As previously described,7,8 on day 1 after admission to the 3-week pain treatment program, extensor and flexor knee strength was measured in a specialized biomechanics facility at our institution. A dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA) was used to measure three aspects of knee strength (isometric extensor, isokinetic extensor, isokinetic flexor) using the dominant leg of each patient. The hip joint of each patient was aligned between 90 and 100 degrees of flexion in the sitting position. The position of each patient was fixed at the level of the torso, hips, and upper thighs.11 After aligning the knee with the lever arm, the ankle was secured to the lever arm. With the knee positioned at 90 degrees flexion, isokinetic strength testing was performed by having all patients maximally contract the knee extensors and then the knee flexors in a rapidly repeating motion at rates of 60 degrees per second (60°/s) and 180°/s. For isometric knee extensor strength testing, the knee was secured at 60 degrees flexion and patients maximally contracted the knee extensors. A sequence of five successive contractions was completed for each test with a one-minute break between each sequence. The results of all tests were corrected for the effects of gravity. The maximal torque documented for each sequence of five successive contractions was recorded.

Peak aerobic capacity

As previously reported,7,8 peak VO2 uptake was assessed on day 2 after admission to a specialized facility using a cycle ergometer.11 During testing, blood pressure measurements were performed, and the patient was continuously monitored using a 12-lead electrocardiogram. Following a 3-minute period of cycling at a workload of 25–50 W, the amount of work was increased every minute by 10–25 W until the patient had to stop due to fatigue. The greatest value of oxygen uptake that occurred within the last 30 seconds of the testing protocol was used as the measure of peak VO2 and expressed in units of mL/kg per minute. A mass spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, Waltham, MA, USA) was used to analyze expired gases.

Pain severity

As previously reported,7,8 pain was assessed on day 1 after admission using the Multidimensional Pain Inventory pain severity subscale.12 The pain severity subscale has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of clinical pain,13 and is comprised of three questions where the patient is asked to rate their current level of pain, their average level of pain over the past week, and their level of current pain-related suffering. The response to each question is rated on a seven-point scale; a score of 0 denotes no pain or suffering and a score of 6 denotes severe pain or suffering. Scores were transformed to standardized T-scores (mean 50, range 0–100, standard deviation 10) where higher scores denote greater levels of pain and suffering.14 We have used this subscale as an outcome measure in patients with fibromyalgia.15,16

Data analysis

Demographic information and pain-related clinical factors were compiled. Means ± standard deviations were calculated for continuous variables, and count (with proportion) was calculated for categorical variables. Univariable linear regression analysis was conducted using pain severity (dependent), muscle strength (independent), and peak VO2 uptake (independent) as variables. Multiple variable linear regression analysis (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, opioid use) was then conducted using the same dependent and independent variables. The multiple variable models were adjusted using the specified cofactors because these clinical factors have been shown to impact FM-related pain and physical functioning.2,6,15–20 Statis tical significance of all tests was accepted at P<0.05 (PASW version 18.0, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

Demographics

Table 1 contains the demographic information and pain-related clinical factors for the group of FM patients. The patients were predominantly married Caucasian females who were not working and had a mean pain duration in excess of 12 years. Twenty-eight percent of patients were using prescription opioids, and the mean morphine equivalent dose was 89.5±132.2 (5–442) mg per day.

Table 1.

Demographic and clinical characteristics

Characteristic* (N=69)
Sex (N, %)
 Female 63 (91.3)
 Male 6 (8.7)
Age (mean ± SD) 46.7±10.5
Ethnicity
 Caucasian 66 (95.7)
 African American 1 (1.4)
 Hispanic 1 (1.4)
 Other 1 (1.4)
Body mass index (kg/m2) 30.2±6.8
Married 46 (66.7)
Currently employed 21 (30.4)
Years of education 14.9±3.2
Pain duration, years 12.2±12.9
Current opioid use 19 (27.5)
Morphine equivalent dose (mg/day) 89.5±132.2
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Notes:

*

All data in this table have been previously reported. Adapted from Hooten WM, Qu W, Townsend CO, Judd JW. Effects of strength vs aerobic exercise on pain severity in adults with fibromyalgia: a randomized equivalence trial. Pain. 2012;153(4):915–923.7 Copyright © 2012 International Association for the Study of Pain; Hooten WM, Rosenberg CJ, Eldrige JS, Qu W. Knee extensor strength is associated with pressure pain thresholds in adults with fibromyalgia. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e59930.8

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Muscle strength and pain severity

The values of pain severity and muscle strength are presented in Table 2. Table 3 presents the results of the univariable regression analysis where significant associations were observed between pain severity (dependent variable) and isokinetic knee extensor strength at 60°/s (P=0.041) and 180°/s (P 0.010), and isokinetic knee flexor strength at 60°/s (P=0.028) and 180°/s (P=0.003). In all analyses, lesser values of isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength were predictive of greater pain severity scores. However, isometric knee extensor strength was not predictive of pain severity. Table 3 also presents the results of the multiple variable analyses where isokinetic knee extensor and flexor strength were found to be predictive of greater pain severity scores.

Table 2.

Summary values of pain severity, muscle strength, and peak uptake of oxygen (VO2)

Characteristic FM patients (n=69)
Pain severity (± standard deviation)* 47.7±4.2
Isometric knee extensor (Nm)* 130.7±45.0
Isokinetic knee extensor 60°/s (Nm)* 92.9±40.3
Isokinetic knee extensor 180°/s 64.2±28.1
Isokinetic knee flexor 60°/s* 53.7±23.0
Isokinetic knee flexor 180°/s 45.0±18.7
Peak VO2 uptake (mL/kg/min)* 16.5±4.2
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Notes:

*

Data have been previously reported. Adapted from Hooten WM, Qu W, Townsend CO, Judd JW. Effects of strength vs aerobic exercise on pain severity in adults with fibromyalgia: a randomized equivalence trial. Pain. 2012;153(4):915–923.7 Copyright © 2012 International Association for the Study of Pain; Hooten WM, Rosenberg CJ, Eldrige JS, Qu W. Knee extensor strength is associated with pressure pain thresholds in adults with fibromyalgia. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e59930.8

Abbreviation: FM, fibromyalgia.

Table 3.

Linear regression analyses of pain severity (dependent variable) and muscle strength (independent variable)

Strength (Newton meters) Univariable B coefficient P-value Multivariable B coefficient* P-value
Isometric knee extensor −0.028 (95% CI, −0.072 to 0.016) 0.203 −0.048 (95% CI, −0.100 to 0.003) 0.066
Isokinetic knee extensor 60°/s −0.050 (−0.098 to −0.002) 0.041 −0.062 (−0.114 to −0.010) 0.020
Isokinetic knee extensor 180°/s −0.090 (−0.158 to −0.022) 0.010 −0.115 (−0.188 to −0.041) 0.003
Isokinetic knee flexor 60°/s −0.095 (−0.179 to −0.011) 0.028 −0.114 (−0.205 to −0.023) 0.015
Isokinetic knee flexor 180°/s −0.156 (−0.256 to −0.056) 0.003 −0.184 (−0.291 to −0.077) 0.001
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Note:

*

Adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and opioid use.

Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; BMI, body mass index.

Pain severity and peak VO2 uptake

Table 2 contains the summary values of peak VO2 uptake. In univariable linear regression analysis, peak VO2 uptake was significantly associated with pain severity (B −0.500; 95% confidence interval −0.952, −0.048; P=0.031) where lesser values of peak VO2 uptake were predictive of greater pain severity scores. In multiple variable regression analysis, the association between lesser values of peak VO2 uptake and greater pain severity retained statistical significance (B −0.660; 95% confidence interval −1.183, −0.137; P=0.014).

Discussion

The important observations from this study were that lesser values of isokinetic knee extensor strength (at 60°/s and 180°/s), isokinetic knee flexor strength (at 60°/s and 180°/s) and peak VO2 uptake were predictive of greater pain severity scores in univariable and multivariable models adjusted for clinical factors known to impact FM-related pain and physical functioning. However, no significant associations were found between pain severity and isometric extensor knee strength.

Numerous studies have documented improvements in various quality of life measures, including pain, in adults with FM following participation in structured muscle strengthening4,21,22 and aerobic exercise6,23–25 programs. This is consistent with the findings of our previous randomized equivalence trial where strength and aerobic exercise had equivalent effects on reducing pain in patients with FM.7 However, few studies have examined the direct associations between pain and physiological measures of strength and peak VO2 uptake. For example, in a previous investigation involving women with FM randomized to a 32-week aquatic training program, changes in knee flexor strength were significantly associated with improvements in physical functioning, while changes in knee extensor strength were significantly associated with improvements in emotional and mental health functioning, and postural balance.21 However, the association between pain and lower extremity strength was not reported. Similarly, in a previous study involving women with FM randomized to an 8-week cardiovascular fitness program, significant changes in pain and peak VO2 uptake were observed; however, the associations between these two variables were not reported.6 The findings of our study extend the observations of previous investigations by providing evidence of the associations between pain and physiological measures of muscle strength and peak VO2 uptake.

Several related pathophysiological mechanisms may be responsible for our observed associations between lesser values of muscle strength and peak VO2 uptake, and greater scores of pain severity. First, muscle contraction can be partly impaired by pain because of the inhibiting effects that joint nociceptor stimulation has on motor neurons.26–28 Furthermore, anticipation of pain has been associated with alterations in the efficiency of motor unit activation.29 Second, previous studies suggest that differential activation of subpopulations of motor units in the trapezius muscle of patients with FM during monotonous contraction may be altered,30 and lower frequencies and greater duration of differential activation have been correlated with pain intensity.31 This is relevant because alterations in the differential activation of motor units have been posited to contribute to muscle fatigue and overexertion,32,33 and may represent an important peripheral mechanism for the maintenance of central sensitization.34–36 Indeed, similar mechanisms may partly explain the observations from our previous secondary analysis where greater isometric and isokinetic (60°/s) knee strength were predictive of higher pressure pain thresholds.8

Regarding the potential mechanisms subserving the association between pain and peak VO2 uptake, alterations in microcirculatory capillaries in patients with FM have been reported, including reduced capillary density37,38 and blood flow.39–42 More specifically, capillary density has been correlated with the percentage of oxidative muscle fibers present in patients with FM,38 and lower blood flow responses during and following exercise have been observed.42 These findings suggest that oxygen availability may influence the quantity of oxidative muscle fibers present in adults with FM,38 and muscle ischemia may be an important peripheral mechanism for maintenance of central sensitization.42

The observations from this study suggest several avenues of ongoing research. First, lesser values of isokinetic strength but not isometric strength were predictive of greater pain severity scores. Although it is not clearly evident why isokinetic but not isometric measures were associated with greater pain severity scores, previous studies suggest that the greater torque capacity of isokinetic testing43 and muscle tissue damage associated with fast contraction velocity44 may be important contributing factors. Second, further studies are needed to determine the associations between peak VO2 uptake and measures of capillary blood flow during and following exercise. Third, prospective studies are warranted to determine if physiologically derived values of strength and aerobic fitness would be suitable outcome measures for clinical trials aimed at investigating the impact of strength training and aerobic conditioning on FM-related alterations in central and peripheral processing of pain stimuli.

This study has some limitations. As previously reported,7,8 all patients in this trial were recruited following referral to a large tertiary medical center. However, the pain-related characteristics of patients admitted to our pain treatment program were comparable with those of a random sample of community-dwelling adults with chronic pain derived from the catchment area of our institution.45 Strength of the quadriceps and hamstring groups were tested, but it should not be assumed that the associations reported in this study would be applicable to other muscle groups. Similarly, peak VO2 uptake was measured using one approach, and it should not be assumed that the associations reported in this study would be applicable to other measures of aerobic capacity.

Conclusion

The findings from this study extend the observations of our previously reported work. In our previous randomized equivalence trial, strength and aerobic exercise had equivalent effects on pain in patients with FM.7 In a subsequent analysis, greater isometric and isokinetic (60°/s) knee strength was associated with higher pressure pain thresholds independent of pain severity and peak VO2 uptake.8 The observations from the current study suggest that lesser values of isokinetic knee strength and peak VO2 uptake were predictive of greater pain severity scores. Collectively, these studies provide an in-depth description of the interrelated effects that strength and aerobic fitness have on pain and pressure pain thresholds in adults with FM. However, ongoing investigations are needed to determine the longitudinal effects that strength training and aerobic fitness have on the pathophysiology of FM.

Acknowledgments

The research was conducted at the Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, and the Translational Research Unit for Chronic and Acute Pain, Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA, and was supported by a CR-20 grant from the Mayo Foundation.

Footnotes

Author contributions

WMH, JMS, and JSE designed the study. WMH and JMS performed the data analysis. WMH, JMS, JSE, DAO, WDM, and SMM wrote the manuscript. WMH was the principal investigator. All authors contributed toward data analysis, revised the manuscript, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

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