Released 03 October 2008

Exercise 'helps children with fibromyalgia'

Children with fibromyalgia tolerate moderate-intensity exercise without exacerbation of their disease, according to new research.

Scientists from the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto observed 30 fibromyalgia patients aged eight to 18 years.

The children were randomised to a 12-week exercise programme of either aerobics or qigong, a variety of traditional Chinese practices that involve methods working with Qi or energy within the body. Both groups participated in three weekly training sessions.

The results, published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research, showed that significant improvements in physical function, fibromyalgia symptoms, quality of life, and pain were demonstrated in both exercise groups.

In addition, the aerobics group performed better in several areas compared with the qigong group.

However, the researchers said that "future studies may need larger sample sizes to confirm clinical improvement and to detect differences in fitness in childhood [fibromyalgia]".

The Arthritis Research Campaign is currently conducting a large clinical trial to test the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and exercise on adults with fibromyalgia, also known as chronic widespread pain.
ADNFCR-1096-ID-18810172-ADNFCR

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