Pregabalin, an approved treatment for
fibromyalgia (FM), has been shown to decrease sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity and inhibit sympathetically maintained
pain, but its effects on exercise responses have not been reported. Methods. Using a randomized double-blind crossover design, we assessed the effect of 5 weeks of
pregabalin (versus placebo) on acute cardiovascular and subjective responses to moderate exercise in 19 FM patients. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise and ratings of
pain, physical
fatigue, and
mental fatigue before, during, and for 48 hours after exercise were compared in patients on
pregabalin versus placebo and also versus 18 healthy controls. Results. On placebo, exercise RPE and BP were significantly higher in FM patients than controls (p < 0.04).
Pregabalin responders (n = 12, defined by patient satisfaction and symptom changes) had significantly lower exercise BP, HR, and RPE on
pregabalin versus placebo (p < 0.03) and no longer differed from controls (p > 0.26). Cardiovascular responses of nonresponders (n = 7) were not altered by
pregabalin. In responders,
pregabalin improved ratings of
fatigue and
pain (p < 0.04), but negative effects on
pain and
fatigue were seen in nonresponders. Conclusions. These preliminary findings suggest that
pregabalin may normalize cardiovascular and subjective responses to exercise in many FM patients.