Effects of lifestyle physical activity on health status, pain, and function in adults with fibromyalgia syndrome

Objective: To test the effects of a lifestyle physical activity [LPA] program on health status, pain, fatigue, and function in adults with the fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS]. Methods: Forty-eight sedentary adults with FMS were randomized to either LPA or a FMS education control [FME] group. The LPA participants gradually worked toward accumulating 30 minutes of self-selected moderate-intensity LPA, five to seven days per week. Thirty-four participants [71 percent] completed the study. Results: The LPA group increased their physical activity by 70 percent, as assessed by pedometer. Seventy-one percent of participants randomized to LPA reported that their health status was improved, compared with 25 percent of the FME group [P = 0.013]. There were no statistically significant post-intervention differences between the LPA and FME groups in pain, fatigue, FMS impact, or six-minute walk distance. Conclusion: The LPA group increased their physical activity and improved global ratings of FMS-related change. Lifestyle physical activity might be a new way to assist persons with FMS to become more physically active.