Prescribed exercise in people with fibromyalgia: parallel group randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate cardiovascular fitness exercise in people with fibromyalgia.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Hospital rheumatology outpatients. Group based classes took place at a "healthy living centre."

Participants: 132 patients with fibromyalgia.

Interventions: Prescribed graded aerobic exercise (active treatment) and relaxation and flexibility (control treatment).

Main outcome measures: Participants' self assessment of improvement, tender point count, impact of condition measured by fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, and short form McGill pain questionnaire.

Results: Compared with relaxation exercise led to significantly more participants rating themselves as much or very much better at three months: 24/69 (35%) v 12/67 (18%), P=0.03. Benefits were maintained or improved at one year follow up when fewer participants in the exercise group fulfilled the criteria for fibromyalgia (31/69 v 44/67, P=0.01). People in the exercise group also had greater reductions in tender point counts (4.2 v 2.0, P=0.02) and in scores on the fibromyalgia impact questionnaire (4.0 v 0.6, P=0.07).

Conclusions: Prescribed graded aerobic exercise is a simple, cheap, effective, and potentially widely available treatment for fibromyalgia.

Figures

Figure

Outline of flow of patients in study