Another study was recently conducted to try and learn more about Fibromyalgia. In this particular study, researchers were trying to determine the physical function level of women with Fibromyalgia.
The researchers used data that was comprised bya National Fibromyalgia Association survey. The 1,735 women who responded to the survey ranged in age from 31 – 78 who had received a Fibromyalgia diagnosis from a physician.
The results were very revealing on just how debilitating Fibromyalgia can be:
- Over 25% of women reported having a difficult time taking care of their own personal needs and bathing.
- More than 60% of the women reported having difficulty doing light household chores, climbing and going down just one flight of stairs, walking 1/2 mile and lifting or carrying 10 pounds.
- More than 90% reported having difficulty doing heavy household chores, doing any strenuous activity and carrying/lifting 25 pounds.
- The women who reported having lower functional ability stated that they had higher levels of fatigue, pain, depression, restless legs syndrome, dizziness, balance problems, fear of falling and bladder problems.
The conclusion of the study found that:
- The average woman reported having less functional ability related to activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living than the average woman in her 80s.
- Several symptoms and conditions were found to be associated with functional limitation in Fibromyalgia women.
What amazing statistics! I know my fibro makes me feel like I would imagine someone in their 80s would feel but had never seen a study that said so. Wow! I added a link back specifically to this article in my fibromyalgia post today.
Jeanne
The average physical activity level among 70 to 79-year-olds was 168.55 (± 146.81) minutes a week and 93.91 (± 122.66) in very old adults. IPAQ classification indicated that a higher percentage of very old adults were sedentary (79.5%), while 67.8% of 70 to 79-year-olds were categorized as active/very active. There was a statistically significant correlation between physical activity level, number of self-reported chronic diseases and number of medications.
Older adults between 70 and 79 years old are more active than very old adults; older women are more active than their male counterparts; the increase in the number of chronic diseases and medications taken lowers physical activity level.
Data from the UK Office for National Statistics (2012) project an increase in the population aged over 60 years from 17 % in 2010 to around 23 % by 2035. The most rapid rise is projected for the ‘oldest’ old, where the number of people aged over 85 years increases from 1.4 million to around 3.5 million.
Physical activity (PA) is an effective strategy to ensure good health in older adults and mitigate the harmful effects of aging. To compare PA levels in people aged between 70 and 79 years and very old adults.
Sarcopenia is likely a multifactorial condition that impairs physical function and predisposes to disability. It may be prevented or treated with lifestyle interventions and pharmacological treatment. Further long-term investigations are needed, however, to ascertain what type and combinations of interventions are the most efficacious in improving muscle mass and function in older people.