Objective: The aim is to investigate the effectiveness of intensive dynamic exercises on
the oxidative status in patients with primary fibromyalgia (FM) and to explore the
importance of these effects on the outcome of FM. Methods: We measured levels of stress
oxidants (protein carbonyls, nitric oxide and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and
antioxidant parameters (thiols and catalase) in blood samples from 40 FM patients and
from healthy control (n=25) at presentation and after 12 weeks of intensive exercise
program that is comprised of aerobic and strengthening exercises(lasting one hour three
times per week). In the patients, pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS),
tender points count (TP), the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (FIQ) and the Beck
depression inventory (BDI) were undertaken at presentation and after 12 weeks of exercise
therapy. Results: At presentation, the serum levels of the oxidative stress parameters were
significantly higher (p