A randomized clinical trial of an individualized home-based exercise programme for women with fibromyalgia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of a 12-week individualized home-based exercise programme on physical functioning, pain severity and psychological distress for women with fibromyalgia (FM).


METHODS
Seventy-nine women with a primary diagnosis of FM were randomized to a 12-week individualized home-based moderate-intensity exercise programme or to a usual care control group. Outcomes were functional capacity (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire), pain severity and psychological distress. Outcomes were measured at study entry, at the end of the 12-week intervention, and at 3 and 9 months following completion of the intervention.


RESULTS
On the basis of intention-to-treat analyses, a significant improvement in functional capacity at 3 and 9 months following treatment for participants in the exercise group who were more functionally disabled at study entry was observed. At both 3 and 9 months post-treatment, the mean estimated benefit of the intervention was more than 10 points [-12.3 (95% CI, -21.9 to -2.8); -10.8 (95% CI, -21.5 to -0.2)]. Compared with the control group, statistically significant improvements in upper body pain were evident in the exercise group at post-treatment. These between-group differences in upper body pain were maintained at 3 and 9 months post-treatment. No statistically significant group differences on lower body pain and psychological distress were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Home-based exercise, a relatively low-cost treatment modality, has the potential to improve important health outcomes in FM.
Da Costa
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D
Division of Clinical Epidemiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4 Canada. Deborah.DaCosta@mcgill.ca
Abrahamowicz
M
M
Lowensteyn
I
I
Bernatsky
S
S
Dritsa
M
M
Fitzcharles
M-A
MA
Dobkin
P L
PL
D000328:Adult; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology