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The purpose of this study is to examine gender differences in quality of life (QoL) and symptomatology in fibromyalgia (FM) patients. A total of 20 men (48.0 ± 8.0 years) and 78 women (49.8 ± 7.2 years) with FM participated in the study (age range 31-63 years). Health-related QoL and FM impact were assessed by means of the Spanish versions of the Short-Form-36 Health Survey (SF36) and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), respectively. Comparisons in QoL were performed using one-way analysis of covariance adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI), and comparisons in FIQ dimensions were performed using Mann-Whitney test. Overall FM impact, as measured by FIQ-total score ( p = .01) and FIQ-physical impairment ( p = .02) was higher in men, whereas women presented higher values of FIQ-fatigue and FIQ-morning tiredness ( p = .04) and less SF36-vitality ( p = .02). Therefore, women appear to feel more fatigue, whereas men present higher FM overall impact. Due to the small number of men included in this study and the consequent small statistical power, these results should be taken as preliminary. Higher powered studies are warranted to further address gender differences in FM in order to design more successful treatments.

The study aimed to determine the effects of a 4-month Tai Chi intervention on tenderness, functional capacity, symptomatology, and quality of life in men with fibromyalgia. The effect of a 3-month detraining period was also analyzed. Six men with fibromyalgia (age 52.3 ± 9.3 years) followed a 4-month Tai Chi intervention. The outcome variables were tenderness, functional capacity (30-second chair stand, handgrip strength, chair sit and reach, back scratch, blind flamingo, 8 feet up and go, and 6-minute walk tests), and self-administered questionnaires. A significant improvement ( p = .028) after the intervention period for the chair sit and reach test was found, such improvement was maintained after the detraining phase. Tenderness, symptomatology, and quality of life did not significantly change after the intervention period or the detraining phase. In summary, a 4-month Tai Chi intervention improved lower body flexibility in men with fibromyalgia. This improvement persisted after the detraining period.

Objective: We examined the reliability and validity of the analog and digital models of TKK handgrip dynamometers using calibrated known weights., Method: A total of 6 dynamometers (3 digital and 3 analog; 2 new and 1 old for each model) were used in this study., Results: Intrainstrument reliability was very high; systematic error for test-retest reliability was ≤|0.3 kg|. The systematic error among different instruments (same model) and between different models (digital vs. analog) ranged between |0.4 kg| and |0.6 kg|. The systematic error between new and old dynamometers ranged from |0.8 kg| to |1 kg|. All dynamometers provided lower values for the same known weights than a SECA scale, with a systematic error ranging from -0.94 to -2.64 kg., Conclusion: This study indicates that clinicians and investigators who provide treatment to address handgrip strength should use the same instrument and model for repeated measures. Distinguishing meaningful change from dynamometer variability is discussed., (Copyright © 2016 by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.)