Aerobic Dance Exercises in Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The Effectiveness of Aerobic Dance Exercises in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic dance exercises on patients with Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to compare these effects with those of conventional postural exercises.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Fibromyalgia; Fibromyalgia Syndrome; Fibromyalgia (FM)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Aerobic Dance Exercises; Other: Conventional Exercises

Detailed Description

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic dance exercises on patients with Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to compare these effects with those of conventional postural exercises. A total of 44 female participants were included. Group-1 (n=22) received aerobic dance exercises twice a week for eight weeks, while Group-2 (n=22) was given a conventional postural exercise program as a home-based intervention with the same duration and frequency. To evaluate the participants, the following assessment tools were used: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire, Short Form-36, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Beck Depression Inventory, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, and Fatigue Severity Scale. Both groups showed significant improvements in nearly all parameters after the intervention (p<0.05).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 44
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of FMS according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria
• being female between the ages of 18 and 65
• having the physical capacity to exercise

Exclusion Criteria:

• unstable angina pectoris with severe dyspnea that would prevent exercise
• the presence of any neurological or orthopedic disease other than FMS

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Aerobic Dance Exercises; The aerobic protocol for Group-1 was divided into four distinct phases: warm-up, endurance training, stretching, and cooling down. These sessions were led by a physiotherapist in groups of five, using music to guide the exercise rhythm. Initial warm-ups lasted 5 to 7 minutes and involved stationary marching and stepping patterns. A 20-minute core segment followed, featuring group dance movements that incorporated various torso and limb rotations. Cardiovascular challenge was integrated through 5 minutes of rapid-paced dance. The program ended with a 5-minute cool-down period where participants gradually reduced their activity level in alignment with a slowing musical tempo.	Other: Aerobic Dance Exercises; The aerobic protocol for Group-1 was divided into four distinct phases: warm-up, endurance training, stretching, and cooling down. These sessions were led by a physiotherapist in groups of five, using music to guide the exercise rhythm. Initial warm-ups lasted 5 to 7 minutes and involved stationary marching and stepping patterns. A 20-minute core segment followed, featuring group dance movements that incorporated various torso and limb rotations. Cardiovascular challenge was integrated through 5 minutes of rapid-paced dance. The program ended with a 5-minute cool-down period where participants gradually reduced their activity level in alignment with a slowing musical tempo.
Experimental: Conventional Exercises; To improve muscle balance and protect spinal integrity, Group-2 performed conventional posture exercises targeting the neck, back, core, and shoulders. This routine, a common clinical approach for individuals with FMS, was conducted as a home-based program with a frequency of two sessions per week. To ensure compliance and track progress, each participant utilized a dedicated exercise diary to record their activities throughout the study.	Other: Conventional Exercises; To improve muscle balance and protect spinal integrity, Group-2 performed conventional posture exercises targeting the neck, back, core, and shoulders. This routine, a common clinical approach for individuals with FMS, was conducted as a home-based program with a frequency of two sessions per week. To ensure compliance and track progress, each participant utilized a dedicated exercise diary to record their activities throughout the study.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Fibromyalgia Impact Scale	To measure the impact of the disease on daily life, a 20-question assessment tool was utilized, focusing on domains such as physical capacity, occupational health, and psychological well-being. Additionally, the scale screens for pain intensity, stiffness, sleep quality, and overall vitality. The scoring system is structured such that higher results indicate more pronounced symptoms and lower functional capacity, while lower scores reflect better health status. Total scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater disease impact and poorer functional status.	change from baseline at 8 weeks
McGill-Melzack Pain Scale	To characterize the nature and intensity of the pain, the McGill-Melzack scale was utilized. This assessment encompasses a detailed analysis of pain topography, its sensory qualities, and duration. It also accounts for specific triggers or modifiers of pain frequency. Scoring is interpreted such that higher cumulative values reflect more profound pain symptoms and increased clinical severity.Total scores range from 0 to 78, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity and pain-related distress	change from baseline at 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36)	The Short Form-36 Health Survey is a comprehensive 36-item questionnaire used to assess health-related quality of life, including physical functioning, psychosocial functioning, pain, and mental health status. Each subscale is scored on a scale ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better functional status and improved overall health-related quality of life.	change from baseline at 8 weeks
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index	The PSQI was utilized to measure participants' self-reported sleep quality and related disturbances. The scale comprises 19 items that form seven sub-scores, which are then aggregated into a single global score between 0 and 21. While lower scores are indicative of better sleep quality, a cumulative score higher than five is clinically interpreted as a sign of significant sleep dysfunction.	change from baseline at 8 weeks
Beck Depression Inventory	To evaluate participants' depressive states, the BDI, which consists of 21 questions, was utilized. Each item is scored between 0 and 3, and the total score is used to determine the intensity of the symptoms. Clinical classifications were made based on the total score: 0-9 points as no depression, 10-16 points as mild, 17-23 points as moderate, and any value 24 or above as severe depression.	change from baseline at 8 weeks
International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form	The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form will be used to assess participants' physical activity levels. The questionnaire evaluates the frequency and duration of walking, moderate-intensity activity, vigorous-intensity activity, and sedentary behavior over the last 7 days. Total physical activity is calculated in metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week. Higher scores indicate higher levels of physical activity.	change from baseline at 8 weeks
Fatigue Severity Scale	To evaluate the impact of fatigue, the FSS, which views fatigue severity as a single-dimensional construct, was administered. Participants responded to nine statements using a scoring range from 1 to 7. The overall fatigue score was derived from the average of these ratings; consequently, an increase in the total score indicates a greater level of perceived fatigue.	change from baseline at 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): May 6, 2022
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 6, 2023
• Study Completion (Actual): May 6, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 15, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 18, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 18, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 15, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Physical Activity; pain; Quality of Life; fibromyalgia; Aerobic Exercise
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neurologic Manifestations; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Muscular Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Behavior; Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Fibromyalgia; Motor Activity
• Other Study ID Numbers: IstanbulUC4

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No