Balance deficiencies in women with fibromyalgia assessed using computerized dynamic posturography: a cross-sectional study in Spain

Objectives: Our aims were: 1) to compare the sensory organization of balance control and balance strategies between women with fibromialgia (FM) and healthy women; 2) to investigate which sensory component, i.e., vestibular, visual or somato-sensory, is the most affected in FM; and, 3), to determine the associations between the functional independence measure (FIM) and balance responses in FM. Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Setting: Urban regional hospital and university (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain). Participants: Twenty women with FM and 20 matched healthy women. Primary/secondary outcome measures: The Sensory Organization Test (SOT) was used to determine postural sway and balance during six different conditions with subjects in a standing position. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) was used to determine the level of functional independence in daily life activities. Between-group differences were analyzed with ANCOVA and the Spearman’s test was use...