Objective.

The main aim of this review was to collect information in the current literature about motor walking pattern analyses performed in people suffering from fibromyalgia, a rheumatologic disorder whose associated symptoms produce several consequences such as functional limitations and alterations in the motor walking pattern that affect their daily life routine and quality of life.

Method.

To this end, an electronic search was made in the PubMed database, and a total of 13 articles were finally selected after applying a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria. The PRISMA methodology was applied to perform this review Data collections was obtained according to the PICOS approach. The level of evidence for the included articles was established by the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Results.

The results obtained evidenced that fibromyalgia patients suffer alterations in the walking motor pattern that mainly translate into a reduction in speed, cadence and stride length. Other variables such as stride frequency swing and support phases also showed alterations with regard to healthy control subjects.

Conclusions.

The impairments showed by these results analysed were caused by symptoms characteristic of fibromyalgia such as fatigue, pain, or lack of physical activity. Thus, patients suffering from this syndrome considerably increase their risk of falls and injuries. Based on this evidence, both significant and non-significant walking motor patterns analysis could become a useful tool from a clinical point of view as a complementary assessment of fibromyalgia patients. Furthermore, this analysis may provide objective and thorough information in order to adapt therapies and treatments based on physical activity implemented in patients with fibromyalgia.

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