Evidence-based recommendations for physical activity in women with fibromyalgia

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a common chronic pain condition but patients may also exhibit a range of other symptoms, including sleep disturbance, fatigue, stiffness and frequent alterations in psychological health status. Most patients with FS are sedentary and have a low physical fitness, this can be compounded by pain, fatigue or depression, which limits daily living activities and affects quality of life and employability. In this respect, physical exercise is considered to be the main non-pharmacological strategy in the management of FS. Despite this, many clinically relevant and practically important questions remain in relation to the most effective method of implementing exercise therapy for FS. The ultimate aim of this review was to consider the evidence for exercise as a therapy in FS and to provide recommendations for exercise prescription to help individuals with FS approach exercise with realistic expectations of the benefits and difficulties.