Efficacy of a Home-based Stretching Program on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: a Randomised Controlled Trial

Efficacy of a Home-based Stretching Program on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: a Randomised Controlled Trial

This randomised controlled trial will examine the clinical efficacy of a six-week, novel, home-based stretching programme compared to usual care on the effect of symptoms experienced by patients with fibromyalgia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia in accordance with the ACR 2016 diagnostic criteria.
• individuals diagnosed with chronic non-malignant pain or individuals diagnosed with chronic widespread pain (including fibromyalgia syndrome) are also included when they meet the ACR 2016 diagnostic criteria.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-controlled systemic disorders (such as hypertension, diabetes and coronary insufficiency),
• neurological conditions that impair alertness or comprehension, musculoskeletal conditions that could compromise assessments (such as nerve root compression or knee joint inflammation),
• relevant joint disorders (such as severe arthritis, arthroplasty of the hip or knee, and rheumatoid arthritis),
• recent changes in therapy for fibromyalgia (i.e., within four weeks of baseline).