Manual Diaphragmatic Release on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Women With Fibromyalgia

Effect of Manual Diaphragmatic Release on Exercise Capacity and Quality of Life in Women With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Evaluate the effect of manual diaphragmatic release on exercise capacity, inspiratory muscles strength, symptoms severity, and health-related quality of life in women diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Sixty women diagnosed with fibromyalgia will be recruited from outpatient rheumatology and physical therapy clinics. Following clinical screening, patients will be randomly assigned into two parallel groups:

The Study Group: Will include 30 women participating in manual diaphragmatic release plus aerobic training for 8 weeks.

The Control Group: Will include 30 women participating in aerobic training only for 8 weeks.

At baseline and post-study (after 8 weeks), outcomes will be comprehensively assessed. The primary focus is to determine whether manual release of the diaphragm improves exercise capacity, minimizes the overall impact of fibromyalgia symptoms, improves health-related quality of life metrics, and enhances respiratory muscles strength.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria.
• Sedentary or low physical activity status (not participating in structured exercise programs within the past 3 months).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe psychiatric comorbidities (e.g., major depressive disorder with active suicidal ideation) or cognitive impairments.
• Presence of comorbid rheumatologic or autoimmune conditions that overlap with muscle/joint symptoms (e.g., severe rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus).
• Primary chronic respiratory/chest diseases (e.g., severe COPD or active asthma).
• Cardiovascular disorders or uncontrolled hypertension.
• Pregnancy.