Researchers analyzed data from 59 previous studies involving 3,256 women with fibromyalgia. They wanted to see which types of therapeutic exercise might be most helpful for reducing the condition's impact on daily life, as measured by a standard questionnaire. They compared 14 different exercise approaches, including Pilates, swimming, resistance training, and dance.
The analysis found that for short-term relief (up to 3 months), Pilates, aquatic exercise (like water aerobics), and resistance exercise ranked as the most promising options. For longer-term relief (more than 3 months), dance and programs that mixed different types of exercise ranked highest. This means these forms of exercise showed the most consistent positive results in the studies reviewed.
It's important to be cautious about these results. The researchers noted the evidence was of 'mostly low-to-moderate certainty.' This means the studies varied a lot in how they were done, and the results aren't precise enough to be definitive. The findings only apply to women with fibromyalgia and don't tell us exactly how much benefit to expect.
Readers should see this as a helpful comparison of existing research, not a final guide. It suggests several exercise types are worth discussing with a doctor or physical therapist to find what might work best for an individual. The study did not report on safety or side effects of the exercises.
