A functional exercise program improves pain and health related quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial

Adv Rheumatol. 2024 Oct 24;64(1):81. doi: 10.1186/s42358-024-00422-7.

Abstract

Background/objective: Fibromyalgia is a non-inflammatory syndrome characterized by generalized muscle pain, with other symptoms. Numerous forms of physical training for this population have been studied through high-quality randomized clinical trials involving strength, flexibility, aerobic conditioning and multicomponent exercise interventions. This research evaluated the effectiveness of a functional exercise program at reducing pain, improving functional capacity, increasing muscle strength as well as improving flexibility, balance and quality of life in individuals with fibromyalgia.

Methods: Eighty-two women with fibromyalgia were randomized into two groups. The functional exercise group performed functional exercises in 45-minute sessions twice per week for 14 weeks. The stretching exercise group performed flexibility exercises with the same duration and frequency. Outcome measures were: visual analog scale for widespread pain; Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire for health-related quality of life; Timed Up and Go test for functional performance; one-repetition maximum for muscle strength, Sit and Reach test on Wells bench for flexibility; Berg Balance Scale for balance; SF-36 for general quality of life.

Results: After the intervention, the functional exercise group had a statistically significant reduction in pain (interaction p = 0.002), and improvement in health-related quality of life measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (interaction p < 0.001) and in general health state domain of SF-36 (interaction p = 0.043) compared to the stretching exercise group. No significant differences between groups were found regarding improvements in functional capacity, muscle strength, flexibility or balance.

Conclusion: Functional exercise training was effective at reducing pain and improving quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia compared to stretching exercises.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03682588 First prospectively registered in March 2018.

Keywords: Exercise; Fibromyalgia; Functional training; Rehabilitation.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Exercise Therapy* / methods
  • Female
  • Fibromyalgia* / psychology
  • Fibromyalgia* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength* / physiology
  • Muscle Stretching Exercises
  • Pain Measurement
  • Postural Balance / physiology
  • Quality of Life*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT03682588