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Cited by 333Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationPhysical Activity and Health

Exercise therapy for fibromyalgia

Open access
Busch, Angela J., Webber, Sandra C., Brachaniec, Mary, Bidonde, Julia, Bello-Haas, Vanina Dal, Danyliw, Adrienne D., Overend, Tom J., Richards, Rachel S. +2 more·2011·Current Pain and Headache Reports
DOI 10.1007/s11916-011-0214-2PMC PMC3165132
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Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome, a chronic condition typically characterized by widespread pain, nonrestorative sleep, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and other somatic symptoms, negatively impacts physical and emotional function and reduces quality of life. Exercise is commonly recommended in the management of people with fibromyalgia, and interest in examining exercise benefits for those with the syndrome has grown substantially over the past 25 years. Research supports aerobic and strength training to improve physical fitness and function, reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, and improve quality of life. However, other forms of exercise (e.g., tai chi, yoga, Nordic walking, vibration techniques) and lifestyle physical activity also have been investigated to determine their effects. This paper highlights findings from recent randomized controlled trials and reviews of exercise for people with fibromyalgia, and includes information regarding factors that influence response and adherence to exercise to assist clinicians with exercise and physical activity prescription decision-making to optimize health and well-being.

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  • Both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies for FM are generally disappointing, providing very limited benefit to FM patients.

    “For what concerns FM, both pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies are generally disappointing, providing very limited benefit to FM patients [4,140,155,156].”

    From Fibromyalgia pathogenesis explained by a neuroendocrine multistable model (2024) · cites this paper as [155]

    The Conclusions (page not supplied) say the benefits of exercise for people with fibromyalgia are well documented, including reduced pain and depression and improved physical function. The Benefits of Exercise section also says composite management programs have been shown effective. This contradicts the claim that nonpharmacological therapies generally provide very limited benefit; the paper does not establish a general verdict on pharmacological therapies. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Evidence is increasing regarding the beneficial effects in FM of physical exercise, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS).

    “Evidence is increasing regarding the beneficial effects in FM of physical exercise, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) [155,159,160].”

    From Fibromyalgia pathogenesis explained by a neuroendocrine multistable model (2024) · cites this paper as [155]

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Research works printed but not linked: 48

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Busch, A. J., Webber, S. C., Brachaniec, M., Bidonde, J., Bello-Haas, V. D., Danyliw, A. D., Overend, T. J., Richards, R. S., Sawant, A., & Schachter, C. L.
Affiliations
  • University of Saskatchewan (CA)
  • Cochrane (BR)
  • Western University (CA)
  • London Health Sciences Centre (CA)
Corresponding author
Busch, Angela J.
ORCID
Venue
Current Pain and Headache Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2011-07-05
Volume
15
Issue
5
Pages
358-367
ISSN
  • 1531-3433 (ISSN-L)
  • 1534-3081
DOI
10.1007/s11916-011-0214-2
PMC
PMC3165132
OpenAlex
W2120729986
Cited by
333
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 20 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 33 · 2012: 7
FWCI
2.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by-nc
Locations
  • Current Pain and Headache Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
Keywords
fibromyalgia, exercise therapy, aerobic exercise, resistance training, Tai Chi, yoga, Nordic walking, vibration therapy, physical activity, quality of life, exercise adherence, exercise prescription, chronic widespread pain
MeSH terms
Animals, Exercise Therapy, Fibromyalgia, Humans, Life Style, Physical Fitness, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Resistance Training

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