Aerobic exercise in fibromyalgia: a practical review

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the current evidence to support guidelines for aerobic exercise (AE) and Wbromyalgia (FM) in practice, and to outline speciWc research needs in these areas. Data sources consisted of a PubMed search, 2007 Cochrane Data Base Systematic review, 2008 Ottawa panel evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, as well as additional references found from the initial search. Study selection included randomized clinical trials that compared an aerobic-only exercise intervention (land or pool based) with an untreated control, a non-exercise intervention or other exercise programs in patients responding to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM. The following outcome data were obtained: pain, tender points, perceived improvement in FM symptoms such as the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total score (FIQ), physical function, depression (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, FIQ subscale for depression), fatigue and sleep were extracted from 19 clinical trials that considered the eVects of aerobic-only exercise in FM patients. Data synthesis shows that there is moderate evidence of important beneWt of aerobic-only exercise in FM on physical function and possibly on tender points and pain. It appears to be suYcient evidence to support the practice of AE as a part of the multidisciplinary management of FM. However, future studies must be more adequately sized, homogeneously assessed, and monitored for adherence, to draw deWnitive conclusions.

Avaliação da capacidade funcional de mulheres com fibromialgia: métodos diretos e autorrelatados. DOI: 10.5007/1980-0037.2011v13n4p292

“…Sabe-se que o exercício físico é crucial como parte do tratamento destes pacientes e evidências recentes mostram benefícios moderados dos exercícios físicos, sobretudo os aeróbicos, na capacidade funcional e possivelmente na dor 28 . Apesar destes achados na literatura, é difícil afirmar que o NAF, no presente estudo, pôde ter influenciado nas associações entre dor e capacidade funcional.…”

Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Sleep in Older Adults with Mild Sleep Impairment: a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Most studies examining the effects of aquatic exercise have therefore focused on adults with problems such as osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal cord injury, or fibromyalgia syndrome [24][25][26][27][28]. However, the few studies that have measured sleep outcomes from aquatic exercise suggest that it may produce greater benefits for sleep than land-based exercise [29][30][31][32][33] and therefore has potential benefits for older adults facing sleep difficulties. Studies are therefore needed to assess the effectiveness of aquatic exercise specifically designed to improve sleep quality among older adults who have poor sleep quality.…”

Objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity in women with fibromyalgia: a cross-sectional study

“…1 2 Fibromyalgia is becoming a common syndrome in Western European countries, and estimates indicate a point prevalence of 2.9%, which translates to approximately six million people with fibromyalgia. 3 There is increasing evidence about the potential benefits of regular physical activity on fibromyalgia-related symptoms, [4][5][6][7] and international organisations support the use of physical activity-based interventions as a complementary tool in the therapeutic armamentarium against fibromyalgia. 8 Physical inactivity is one of the major public health problems of the 21st century, 9 and several longitudinal studies have shown the negative consequences on health through a sedentary lifestyle.…”