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Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia
Julia Bidonde1, Angela J Busch, Candice L Schachter
1Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 4404 Nydalen, Oslo, Norway, 0403.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|June 22, 2017
Summary
Aerobic exercise training likely improves health-related quality of life and may slightly decrease pain intensity and improve physical function in adults with fibromyalgia. Long-term benefits on pain and function may persist, but evidence on adverse events is limited.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Exercise Physiology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition often managed with exercise recommendations.
- This review updates previous research on exercise for fibromyalgia syndrome.
- Aerobic exercise is a common intervention for fibromyalgia patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the benefits and harms of aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.
- To compare aerobic exercise against control conditions, other aerobic interventions, and non-exercise interventions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 839 participants.
- Searched multiple databases up to June 2016 for relevant trials.
- Assessed major outcomes including quality of life, pain, stiffness, fatigue, physical function, withdrawals, and adverse events using the GRADE approach.
Main Results:
- Moderate-quality evidence suggests aerobic exercise improves health-related quality of life (HRQL) and reduces withdrawals.
- Low-quality evidence indicates potential slight decreases in pain intensity and improvements in physical function.
- Uncertainty exists regarding effects on fatigue, stiffness, and adverse events due to limited or low-quality evidence.
Conclusions:
- Aerobic exercise likely offers moderate benefits for HRQL and withdrawals in fibromyalgia.
- Potential for slight improvements in pain and physical function exists, with some outcomes reaching clinical significance.
- Long-term benefits on pain and function may persist, but safety data is scarce, necessitating caution.
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