To determine the effects of exercise on fatigue and sleep quality in fibromyalgia (primary aim) and to identify which type of exercise is the most effective in achieving these outcomes (secondary aim). Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science were searched from inception until October 18, 2018. Study Selection: Eligible studies contained information on population (fibromyalgia), intervention (exercise), and outcomes (fatigue or sleep). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) testing the effectiveness of exercise compared with usual care and randomized trials (RT) comparing the effectiveness of 2 different exercise interventions were included for the primary and secondary aims of the present review, respectively. Two independent researchers performed the search, screening, and final eligibility of the articles. Of 696 studies identified, 17 RCTs (nZ1003) were included for fatigue and 12 RCTs (nZ731) for sleep. Furthermore, 21 RTs compared the effectiveness of different exercise interventions (nZ1254). Data Extraction: Two independent researchers extracted the key information from each eligible study. Data Synthesis: Separate random-effect meta-analyses were performed to examine the effects from RCTs and from RTs (primary and secondary aims). Standardized mean differences (SMD) effect sizes were calculated using Hedges' adjusted g. Effect sizes of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 were considered small, moderate, and large. Compared with usual care, exercise had moderate effects on fatigue and a small effect on sleep quality (SMD, e0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], e0.67 to e0.27; P<.001 and SMD, e0.17; 95% CI, e0.32 to e0.01; PZ.04). RTs in which fatigue was the primary outcome were the most beneficial for lowering fatigue. Additionally, meditative exercise programs were the most effective for improving sleep quality. Conclusions: Exercise is moderately effective for lowering fatigue and has small effects on enhancing sleep quality in fibromyalgia. Meditative exercise programs may be considered for improving sleep quality in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common and complex chronic pain condition. Exercise is recommended in the management of the FMS; however, people with FMS often find exercise exacerbates their condition and causes overwhelming fatigue. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of fatigue and sleep dysfunction, and exercise in people with FMS. Three, 60-90 min focus groups were conducted with people with FMS (n = 14). Participants were recruited from patient support groups who had experienced therapeutic exercise in the management of their condition. Focus groups were video and audio recorded and transcriptions analysed for thematic content by three independent evaluators. Fatigue, sleep dysfunction, and pain were universally reported by participants. The over-arching theme to emerge was a lack of understanding of the condition by others. A huge sense of loss was a major sub-theme and participants felt that they had fundamentally changed since the onset of FMS. Participants reported that they were unable to carry out their normal activities, including physical activity and exercise. The invisibility of FMS was associated with the lack of understanding by others, the sense of loss, and the impact of FMS. People with FMS perceive that there is a lack of understanding of the condition among health care professionals and the wider society. Those with FMS expressed a profound sense of loss of their former 'self'; part of this loss was the ability to engage in normal physical activity and exercise.

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BackgroundNon-pharmacological interventions are the mainstay of treatment for fibromyalgia, however, current evidence-based guidelines report that the only therapy supported by ‘strong for’ evidence is exercise intervention for pain in fibromyalgia [1]. While increased fatigue and poor sleep quality are among the most burdensome symptoms in fibromyalgia, there remains limited evidence for the effectiveness of exercise in the management of these symptoms [2,3]ObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of exercise in the management of fatigue and sleep quality in fibromyalgia.MethodsA systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Web of Science in October 2018 (Prospero Registration No. CRD42018118005). Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials (RCT) including adults with fibromyalgia (population), who received exercise (intervention) compared to usual care (comparator). Outcomes of interest were fatigue and/or sleep quality. No restrictions were applied for language nor for publication date. Random effects meta-analyses were conducted. The Cochrane Collaboration’s tool was used for assessing risk of bias in the included studies. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.ResultsTwenty RCTs were included, 17 included measures of fatigue (n=1003) and 12 measures of sleep quality (n=731). In comparison to usual care, exercise had beneficial effects on fatigue (Figure 1, P<0.001) but not on sleep quality (Figure 2, P=0.06). The most beneficial interventions for fatigue and improving sleep quality, were those in which fatigue was the primary outcome and those based on body-mind interventions, respectively (both, P<0.001). A moderate risk of bias was present in most of the included studies.Figure 1 Pooled effects of randomised controlled trials analysing the effectiveness of physical exercise on reducing fatigue in people with fibromyalgia.Figure 2 Pooled effects of randomised controlled trials analysing the effectiveness of physical exercise on enhancing sleep quality in people with fibromyalgia.ConclusionAccording to the GRADE framework, this review provides low-to-moderate quality evidence that exercise is moderately effective for improving fatigue, and moderate evidence of no/meaningless effects of exercise to improve sleep quality. Further high quality RCTs are required to determine the effectiveness of exercise on fatigue, and in particular, sleep quality in fibromyalgiaReferences[1] Macfarlane GJ, et al. Ann Rheum Dis2017;76:318–28. Doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209724[2] Bidonde J, et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017;2017. Jun 21;6:CD012700 doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012700[3] Busch AJ, et al. Cochrane database Syst Rev 2013;:CD010884. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010884Analyses were conducted using a random effects model. CI, Confidence Interval; df, degrees of freedom; Std, Standardised; SD, Standard Deviation; IV, Inverse Variance; Co-, Co-intervention (Photo, phototherapy; edu, education); C, Cardiorespiratory exercise...