Efficacy of Different Exercises in Women With Fibromyalgia Syndrome: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of aerobic exercise, resistance exercise combined with aerobic exercise, and yoga exercises combined with aerobic exercise on pain and disease activity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FM). Methods The study population comprised 60 individuals with FM who met the inclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. The first group underwent aerobic exercise (n=20), the second group combined aerobic exercise with yoga (n=20), and the third group engaged in aerobic and resistance exercise (n=20). All exercise interventions were conducted for a total of 12 weeks. Disease activity was evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), while pain status was assessed with the Melzack-Melzack Pain Questionnaire (MMPQ). All assessments were conducted before and following the completion of the exercise programme. The clinical trial number of this study is NCT06006494. Results The measurements of the aerobic exercise and yoga group were significantly lower than those of the aerobic and resistance exercise group. A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of post-treatment MMPQ scores. The measurements of the aerobic exercise and yoga group were significantly lower than those of the aerobic exercise only and aerobic and resistance exercise groups. No statistically significant difference was observed between the post-treatment MMPQ scores of the aerobic and aerobic resistance exercise groups. Conclusion The combination of aerobic exercise and yoga is more efficacious in the treatment of FM than aerobic exercise alone or a combination of resistance exercises and aerobic exercise. © Copyright CliniCal and ExpErimEntal rhEumatology 2025.