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Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Abstract

Background: Medications often lead to adverse effects, mind-body exercise (MBE) therapy has become a more popular option for treating patients with fibromyalgia (FM). In recent studies MBE has been found to appear to be a more effective method for improving quality of life for FM patients; however, there are many different types of MBE and the most effective type of MBE therapy is not known. We, therefore, intent to compare the effects of different MBE types on improving the overall HRQOL and typical symptoms in patients with FM.

Methods: A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing different MBEs versus usual care, placebo or active controls in patients with FM aged >16 years were searched for in eight databases. A common comparator was identified between interventions to develop a network. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated between interventions. Direct and indirect evidence were pooled using the random effect models. Modified Cochrane‘s tool was used to assess risk of bias. (Registration number CRD42023467955)

Results: 24 studies (n = 1447 participants) met the inclusion criteria. There was a high risk of bias on blinding. While dance was most effective for improving pain [SMD, -38.89; 95% CI, (-58.44, -19.34)], FIQ [SMD, -51.00; 95% CI, (-80.05, -21.95)]. Qigong was most effective for improving depression [SMD, -5.80; 95% CI, (-7.49, -4.11)]. MBSR was most effective for improving anxiety [SMD, -0.38; 95% CI, (-0.75, -0.00)]. Pilates was most effective for improving quality of life [SMD, -0.68; 95% CI, (-1.26, -0.10)]. None of the differences in sleep improvement were significant for any of the mind-body exercises.

Conclusion: Several MBEs were beneficial for FM. However, the effect size varied between interventions and outcomes. The results of this study may be used to guide the selection of the most effective MBEs according to the predominant symptom in individual patients.

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