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Evidence summaries

Exercise for Fibromyalgia

Short-term aerobic exercise training has beneficial effects on global well-being and physical capacity of fibromyalgia and it may also reduce pain and tender points. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 34 trials with a total of 2 276 participants. Aerobic-only exercise training at intensity recommended for increases in cardiorespiratory fitness has positive effects global well-being (SMD 0.44, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.75) and physical function (SMD 0.68, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.95) and possibly on pain (SMD 0.94, 95% CI -0.15 to 2.03) and tender points (SMD 0.26, 95% CI -0.28 to 0.79). Strength and flexibility remain under-evaluated.

    References

    • Busch AJ, Barber KA, Overend TJ, Peloso PM, Schachter CL. Exercise for treating fibromyalgia syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD003786. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords