Effect of Exergame Training and Detraining on Lower-Body Strength, Agility, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Women with Fibromyalgia: Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of a 24 week exergame intervention and 24 weeks of detraining on lower-limb strength, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness in women with fibromyalgia (FM). It was performed as a single-blinded randomized controlled trial of 55 women with FM. University facilities were used. The 24 week exergame intervention was focused on mobility, postural control, upper- and lower-limb coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength. Participants performed 120 min of exergaming per week, which was divided into two sessions. Twenty-four weeks after the end of the intervention, participants were re-evaluated. A chair–stand test, 10 step stair test, and six-minute walk test were conducted to assess lower-body strength, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness, respectively. The exergame intervention significantly improved lower-limb strength and cardiorespiratory fitness. However, no significant effects on agility were observed. After the detraining period, lower-limb strength and agility returned to their baseline level, but improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness were sustained over time. Exergaming was therefore shown to be beneficial for physical fitness in people with FM. However, exergames had to be played regularly to maintain the benefits. This long-term intervention (24 weeks) may have changed the lifestyle of women with FM, which could explain why cardiorespiratory fitness improvements remained after the detraining period. Future research should focus on lifestyle changes after long-term interventions.

Effects of 24-Week Exergame Intervention on the Gray Matter Volume of Different Brain Structures in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Different articles focused on the primary outcomes (i.e., electroencephalography, physical fitness, and quality of life) of the trial have been recently published [32,[36][37][38]. Nevertheless, the hypothesis in the present study is entirely novel (improvements in different volumetric brain structures after an exergame intervention) and significantly differs from the other articles.…”

“…Furthermore, this hypothesis may be reinforced by the results of Nieman et al [66], where they did not find volumetric changes after six months of intervention but did after 12 months. However, the 24-week exergame-based intervention has previously shown significant effects in physical fitness [36,38], quality of life and pain [36], autonomic modulation [37], and even in the EEG beta power spectrum [32] in women with FM. Interestingly, this could indicate that brain volume-related changes need more time to be achieved.…”

The Effect of Virtual Reality Exercises on Pain, Functionality, Cardiopulmonary Capacity, and Quality of Life in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…27,28 We found that improvement in physical performance was significantly higher in the VRG than in the CTG. In the literature, there are studies reporting improvement in cardiovascular fitness, 21,30 adaptation, 25 and mobility. 24 It is POLAT ET AL.…”

“…[18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Motion-controlled videogames targeting virtual reality are examples of these exercises. When we searched the studies about virtual reality exercises that are used in rehabilitation of patients with fibromyalgia, it has been shown that virtual reality exercises reduce fear of falling and static balance problems, 21 improve autonomic balance, 25 reduce pain, [26][27][28][29] increase healthy-related quality of life [27][28][29] and exercise capacity, 26,29 promote cardiovascular fitness, 26,30 and decrease the impact of FMS and fatigue. 26 It was also stated that these exercises motivated patients, increased patient compliance and patient satisfaction, and promoted psychological process (general mood state, positive emotions, motivation, and self-efficacy) in the rehabilitation.…”

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation in Patients with Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis

“…In the two cited studies [ 23 , 26 ], which assess the muscular strength of the lower limb after TKA surgery, in both cases no major impact of VR rehabilitation was demonstrated. Other authors’ reports noted the benefit of using VR to increase muscular strength in women with risk of falling [ 68 ], whereas Villafaina et al [ 69 ] noted that the increase in muscular strength through exergames training obtained in women with fibromyalgia is greater but short-lived.…”