Effectiveness of Exercise and Patient-centred Education on Fibromyalgia

Is a Combined Programme of Exercise and Patient-centred Education More Effective Than Exercise Alone in Individuals With Fibromyalgia? A Randomised Controlled Trial

This study aims to compare the effects of an eight-week exercise and patient-centred education programme with eight-week exercise alone programme on disability, pain intensity, health-related quality of life and patient global impression of change.

A prospective, parallel, double-blinded and multi-centre randomised controlled trial will be carried out.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria (2016)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of uncontrolled medical disorders (cardiovascular/ metabolic/ neurological/ renal)
• Presence of active oncological disease (or until 5 years and undergoing treatment)
• Presence of inflammatory rheumatic diseases other than fibromyalgia
• Presence of inflammatory osteoarticular disease or severe osteoarthritis (grade IV de Kellgren - Lawrence Classification of Osteoarthritis)
• Previous orthopaedic (column or lower limb) or cardiothoracic surgery in the year before;
• Disability not compatible with the exercise practice required
• Pregnancy
• Attendance to a physiotherapy programme including exercise in the previous three months
• Difficulty in written communication that prevent the fulfilment of self-reported questionnaires.