Title:Exercise for Adults with Fibromyalgia: An Umbrella Systematic Review with Synthesis of Best Evidence
VOLUME: 10 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Julia Bidonde, Angela Jean Busch, Brenna Bath and Stephan Milosavljevic
Affiliation:School of Physical Therapy, 1121 College Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 0W3 Canada.
Keywords:Adult, best evidence, exercise, fibromyalgia, physical activity interventions, synthesis, systematic review, umbrella
review.
Abstract:The objective of this umbrella systematic review was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize systematic reviews
of physical activity interventions for adults with fibromyalgia (FM) focussing on four outcomes: pain, multidimensional
function (wellness or quality of life), physical function (self-reported physical function or measured physical fitness) and
adverse effects. A further objective was to link these outcomes with details of the interventions so as to guide and shape
future practice and research. Electronic databases including Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, the Cochrane Library,
and DARE, were searched for the January 1st 2007 to March 31st 2013 period. Nine systematic reviews (60 RCTs with
3816 participants) were included. Meta-analysis was not conducted due to the heterogeneity of the sample. We found
positive results of diverse exercise interventions on pain, multidimensional function, and self-reported physical function,
and no supporting evidence for new (to FM) interventions (i.e., qigong, tai chi). There were no serious adverse effects reported.
The variability of the interventions in the reviews prevented us from answering important clinical questions to
guide practical decisions about optimal modes or dosages (i.e., frequency, intensity, duration). Finally, the number of review
articles is proliferating, leading researchers and reviewers to consider the rigor and quality of the information being
reviewed. As well, consumers of these reviews (i.e., clinicians, individuals with FM) should not rely on them without
careful consideration.
