Exercise for fibromyalgia pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Current Rheumatology Reviews, 01/04/2010  Clinical Article

Ramel J et al. – Physical exercise may have positive effects on pain reduction in patients with FM. Long-term, rigorous and well-controlled randomized trials are warranted.

• Comprehensive search of 8 western databases and reference lists through March 2009
• Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with pain as an endpoint, measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) or a visual analogue scale (VAS)
• Exercise treatments were compared with no-exercise control group
• Study quality assessed by Jadad scale
• Calculated effect sizes to assess the magnitude of treatment effect, and meta-analyzed for overall effect

• 45 studies critically appraised for effects on pain
• 10 RCTs published between 1992 and 2008, conducted in Europe and North America met eligibility criteria with 767 participants (98% women)
• Mean age was 47 years and mean symptom duration was 10 years
• Meta-analysis results showed that 6 to 24 weeks of aerobic, strength training, pool and multi-component exercise had a statistically significant decrease in pain outcomes versus education, usual care and non-exercise controls
• Pooled effect size was 0.45 (95% Confidence Interval, 0.09 to 0.80)