Effectiveness of Qigong vs. Physiotherapy to Improve Quality of Life of Women With Fibromyalgia

University of Extremadura

Status: Completed

Conditions: Fibromyalgia

Treatments: Other: Qigong group; Other: Physiotherapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04328142

11//2012

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study analyze the effectiveness of a Physiotherapy treatment versus a Qigong exercise programme improving quality of life of subjects with Fibromyalgia.

Full description

Objective:

This study investigated the effectiveness of a Physiotherapy treatment versus a Qigong exercise programme for the improvement of the quality of life of subjects with Fibromyalgia.

Design:

A single-blind randomized clinical controlled trial.

Setting:

University of Extremadura, Spain

Subjects:

Women with Fibromyalgia

Interventions:

141 Participants were randomized to a Qigong exercise program group (n=47), a physiotherapy treatment group (n=47) and control group (n=47) for 6 weeks.

Main Measures:

Measures were taken at baseline (week 0), pre intervention (week 1) and post intervention (week 6). The primary outcome measure were quality of life (Spanish Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (SFIQ), pain (VAS), perceive exertion (Borg scale), spirometry measures (Spirobank-G MIR spirometry) and balance (Wii-Fit, Nintendo ©). The secondary outcome measures were flexibility (Wells and Dillon test and Sit and Reach test), Range of movement (goniometer), muscle strength (Lowett scale).

Enrollment: 165 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 30 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• women between 30 and 65 years old,
• diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by a specialized physician,

Exclusion criteria

• The exclusion criteria were to present any limitation of mobility due to Fibromyalgia or other pathology, previous practice or knowledge of Qi gong, to be under Physiotherapy treatment and to practice any physical exercise.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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165 participants in 3 patient groups

Qigong

Experimental group

Description:

The Qigong experimental group performed the 20 figures to improve health and longevity described by the master of Qigong 'Wang Ziping'. These are based on therapeutic exercises of Traditional Chinese Medicine. They work on breathing, flexibility and balance. Each figure was repeated 6 times. The sessions were administered twice a week during 45 minutes and were guided by a Doctor in Western Medicine who is also qualified as a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qigong teacher.

Treatment:

Other: Qigong group

Physiotherapy

Experimental group

Description:

The physiotherapy experimental group completed an active exercises program guided by a qualified physiotherapist. The exercise programme was based on active shoulder, hips and spine kinesiotherapy. It included a warm up of 3-5 minutes walking, followed by 6 repetitions of shoulder and hip exercises in standing, cervical spine exercises in sitting or standing, according to the comfort of the patient, thoracic and lumbar spine exercises performed in supine on a mat and balance exercises in standing. Stretching exercises were also performed at the end of the session. The exercises were accompanied by gentle breathing coordinated with the movements. The sessions were administered twice a week during 45 minutes.

Treatment:

Other: Physiotherapy

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

The control group did not receive any intervention. The participants continued with their routine medical treatment.