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Evidence summaries

Education and Physical Training for Fibromyalgia Patients

Education and physical training programs may have an effect on the quality of life and self-efficacy of patients with fibromyalgia. Level of evidence: "C"

In a randomised controlled trial 1 99 women with fibromyalgia were assigned to one of three groups: education only, education and physical training or control. 86 completed the trial. The education only group received a six-week self-management course. The education and physical training group received the course and 6 h of training designed to assist them to exercise independently. Both experimental programs had significant positive impact on quality of life and self-efficacy. 46% increased their level of exercise after participating in the programme.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by sparse data and potential reporting bias (no systematic literature search was performed).

References

  • Burckhardt CS, Mannerkorpi K, Hedenberg L, Bjelle A. A randomized, controlled clinical trial of education and physical training for women with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol 1994 Apr;21(4):714-20. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords