Isometric Exercise and Endogenous Pain Inhibition

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by widespread
pain which affects 5-8% of the general population. Past research has shown that people with
FMS demonstrate enhanced pain facilitation and reduced pain inhibition in the central nervous
system. Incorporating a biopsychosocial model of pain may help develop strategies to prevent
the functional decline and alleviate the suffering that occurs in this population. Exercise
is a mainstay of pain rehabilitation with multiple health benefits, one of which is
decreasing pain; a phenomenon known as exercise induced hypoalgesia (EIH). Emerging evidence
has shown that exercise decreases pain facilitation in healthy adults and in some individuals
with FMS. However, it's unclear whether exercise improves pain inhibition in individuals with
FMS. The purpose of this study is to investigate endogenous pain inhibition, measured by
conditioned pain modulation (CPM), following isometric exercise of the quadriceps muscle in
individuals with FMS. In addition, factors that might affect this response such as physical
activity, body composition, and psychosocial issues will be examined. Understanding how
exercise impacts pain and the contributing factors will help guide the prescription of
exercise to optimize pain rehabilitation.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Men and women aged 18-75 diagnosed with fibromyalgia or healthy controls will be
included in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

- cardiovascular disease, cancer, pregnancy, arthritis, diabetes, claustrophobia,
Reynaud's disease, osteoporosis, neuropathy.