What is the evidence for mixed exercise training in adults with fibromyalgia?
AMSTAR Rating
Summary
Patient Population:
29 RCTs of 2088 participants with fibromyalgia (98% female) and a mean age of 51 years.
Intervention:
Mixed exercise was defined as regular sessions of two or more types of exercise including aerobic, strengthening or flexibility exercises (heterogeneity of programs). Mean treatment duration was 14 weeks of 50-60 minutes of exercise, 3 times per week (ranging from 3-26 weeks).
Comparison:
19 of the RCTs compared mixed exercise to control groups (no treatment or their usual care). The other RCTs compared mixed exercise to other exercises or other interventions. Major outcomes of health-related quality of life, pain intensity, fatigue, stiffness, physical function, adverse effects, and withdrawals were measured.
Outcome:
- After 5-26 weeks, people who exercised were 6.95% better in terms of their health-related quality of life (95% CI 10.51-3.38, 13 pooled studies)
- After 5-26 weeks, people who exercised had 5.17% less pain (95% CI 8.85-1.48, 15 pooled studies)
- After 14-24 weeks, people who exercised were 12.93% less tired (95% CI 17.79-8.07, 11 pooled studies)
- After 16 weeks, people who exercised were 6.51% less stiff (95% CI 12.28-0.74, 5 pooled studies)
- After 8-24 weeks, people who exercised were 10.99% better with their daily physical function (95% CI 14.80-7.18, 9 pooled studies)
- Analysis of long-term effects on health-related quality of life showed maintenance of mixed exercise effects up to 26 weeks but not at 27-52 weeks.
Guideline Recommendations
| Source | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| CRA | Level 1/Grade A Evidence |
Outcomes Assessed
- Benefit
- Harm
- Inconclusive
Health Related Quality Of Life
Short term
Long term
Other Measures
Pain
Fatigue
Stiffness
Daily Physical Function
Relevant Clinical Info
Low to moderate quality of evidence RCTs, some with small sample sizes, with varying study and treatment methodologies.
Participant Information
of participants
Female
the sample size was 2088
Mean age of 51 years.
their were 29 studies used.
