The Effect of Virtual Reality Exercises on Pain, Functionality, Cardiopulmonary Capacity, and Quality of Life in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effect of motion-controlled videogames on pain, functionality, cardiopulmonary capacity, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Materials and Methods: Forty women with fibromyalgia were randomized into virtual reality group (VRG) and conventional training group (CTG). The CTG performed aerobic exercise (cycling, 3 days per week, 20 minutes per day) and conventional exercises (muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility, 3 days per week, 15 minutes per day) for 4 weeks. The VRG performed virtual reality exercise (volleyball, Microsoft Xbox Kinect Ò , 3 days per week, 15 minutes per day) together with cycling exercise for 4 weeks. After the exercise program, both groups received the same home exercise program for 4 weeks. All patients were evaluated at baseline, fourth, and eighth weeks. Primary outcome measure was Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Symptom Severity Scale, EuroQol-Five Dimensions _ Index Scale/Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-5D-index/VAS) and Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) were used as secondary outcome measures. Results: Thirty-four patients (17 VRG, 17 CTG) were evaluated at the eighth week. After 4 weeks, all outcome measures improved significantly in both groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in all outcome measures between fourth and eighth weeks. Group and time interactions for 6MWT (P = 0.043), FSS (P = 0.026), EQ-5D-_ Index Scale (P = 0.014), and EQ-5D-VAS (P = 0.049) were significant only for the VRG. In addition, median individual's satisfaction was significantly higher in the VRG (P < 0.001). Conclusion:Virtual reality exercises along with aerobic exercise increase cardiopulmonary capacity and quality of life in fibromyalgia syndrome. In addition, they increase patient satisfaction and may improve patient compliance to exercise.

Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Reduces the Disabling Impact of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Women: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…Ten studies were removed based on title/abstract, and 53 studies did not meet the inclusion criteria. Finally, 11 RCTs [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] were included. Specifically, 10 RCTs [61,62,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] were included in the quantitative synthesis, and 2 RCTs [63,67] were included in the qualitative synthesis.…”

“…Finally, 11 RCTs [61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] were included. Specifically, 10 RCTs [61,62,[64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71] were included in the quantitative synthesis, and 2 RCTs [63,67] were included in the qualitative synthesis. One RCT [67] provided information for quantitative and qualitative synthesis.…”

“…All included RCTs were carried out between 2015 and 2021 (2015 [65], 2017 [62,64], 2019 [63,68,70,71], 2020 [61,66,67] and 2021 [69]) in Spain [62][63][64][65]67,68,70,71], Turkey [66,69] and Brazil [61]. The included studies reported data from 535 participants with FMS (100% women) with a mean age of 51.11 ± 4.2 years old, a mean BMI of 27.27 ± 1.6 kg/m 2 and a mean duration of FMS symptoms of 10.49 ± 5.4 years.…”

“…Two hundred seventy-nine women (51.68 ± 3.9 years old) were in the experimental intervention groups receiving VRBT, and 256 participants (50.54 ± 4.6 years old) were in the control intervention groups. In the experimental group, 10 RCTs used non-immersive VRBT [61][62][63][64][65][67][68][69][70][71]] and 1 RCT [66] used immersive VRBT. In addition, VRBT was used alone in 9 RCTs [61][62][63][64][65]67,68,70,71] and in combination with CTBTE in another 2 RCTs [66,69].…”

“…In the experimental group, 10 RCTs used non-immersive VRBT [61][62][63][64][65][67][68][69][70][71]] and 1 RCT [66] used immersive VRBT. In addition, VRBT was used alone in 9 RCTs [61][62][63][64][65]67,68,70,71] and in combination with CTBTE in another 2 RCTs [66,69]. Regarding the control groups, in 2 RCTs, women received CTBTE (aerobic exercise [69] and Pilates therapy [66]); in one RCT [61], women received ST; and in 8 RCTs [62][63][64][65]67,68,70,71] participants did not receive any therapy.…”