Effects of Exergames on Brain Dynamics in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Exergames are non-immersive versions of virtual reality that involve physical exercise and have shown several benefits on physical fitness and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. However, the effects on brain dynamics are still unknown. Aim: the aim was to evaluate the effects of a 24-week exergame intervention on resting brain dynamics in women with fibromyalgia in a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Methods: Fifty-six women with fibromyalgia were assessed for eligibility; 55 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The exercise group completed a 24-week exergame-based intervention that focused on mobility, postural control, upper and lower limb coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength. This group received two 60-min sessions per week. We measured electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from 19 channels. Participants were also divided into two subgroups according to the duration of their symptoms. The intervention was more effective in the group with a shorter duration of symptoms, showing between-group differences in F8, T5 and T4. Conclusion: Exergames may lead to changes in brain dynamics that could be related to increased cerebral blood flow.

Effect of Exergame Training and Detraining on Lower-Body Strength, Agility, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Women with Fibromyalgia: Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Aside from fitness parameters, previous studies of exergames in women with FM reported improvements in health-related quality of life, disease impact, pain, and brain processing [16][17][18][19][20]. The 24 week exergame intervention in this study did not have any significant effect on disease impact.…”

“…The current study focused on the effects of 24 weeks of exergame-based training and a 24-week detraining period in patients with FM. Three articles focusing on quality of life, physical fitness under dual-task conditions, and brain processing were recently published elsewhere [18][19][20]. The hypothesis of the current study was entirely different from previous studies, and included follow-up evaluation.…”

“…Furthermore, exergame interventions (a nonimmersive form of virtual reality) that involve physical exercise [15] have previously been used in patients with FM. Results indicated that exergames are useful to enhance mobility, quality of life, physical function, and brain dynamics in patients with FM [16][17][18][19][20].…”

Effects of 24-Week Exergame Intervention on the Gray Matter Volume of Different Brain Structures in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Different articles focused on the primary outcomes (i.e., electroencephalography, physical fitness, and quality of life) of the trial have been recently published [32,[36][37][38]. Nevertheless, the hypothesis in the present study is entirely novel (improvements in different volumetric brain structures after an exergame intervention) and significantly differs from the other articles.…”

“…In patients with FM, this type of intervention has been previously used in a nonimmersive version, obtaining improvements in the overall quality of life, pain, disease, mobility, balance, and fear of falling [30,31]. Furthermore, the effects of exergame-based interventions on the brain dynamics of patients with fibromyalgia have previously been studied, finding changes in brain dynamics that could be related to increased cerebral blood flow [32]. On the other hand, two studies have assessed changes in brain structure after exergame training in older adults [33,34].…”