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

NCT ID: NCT04328142

Last Updated: 2020-04-07

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 165 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2012-03-01
• Study Completion Date: 2013-09-30

Brief Summary

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

Detailed 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).

Conditions

Fibromyalgia

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Qigong

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Qigong group

Intervention Type: OTHER

Traditional Chinese Medicine exercise programme

Physiotherapy

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.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Physiotherapy

Intervention Type: OTHER

Physiotherapy exercise programme

Control

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

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Qigong group

Traditional Chinese Medicine exercise programme

Intervention Type: OTHER

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy exercise programme

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 30 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: FEMALE
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Extremadura

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Abel Mejías Gil

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Other Identifiers

11//2012

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id