Home-based Daily Stretching Program for Adults With Fibromyalgia to Improve Symptoms and Quality of Life

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the clinical effects of a new six-week home-based stretching program on symptoms experienced by patients with fibromyalgia. This randomized controlled trial compares this stretching program to usual care to understand its impact on symptom severity. The study is sponsored by the University College of Northern Denmark and includes adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia or related chronic widespread pain according to specific criteria. Participants in the intervention group will perform daily static stretching exercises at home for six minutes each day over six weeks. These exercises involve two sets of 30-second stretches targeting the knee flexors, hip abductors, and shoulder elevators, based on recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine. The control group will continue their usual care without changes to current treatments or starting new exercise routines. During the study, participants will have their symptom severity, health-related quality of life, self-reported physical activity, range of motion, and pain sensitivity measured at the start, after six weeks of intervention, and again six months later. The trial uses double-blind methods and randomization to assign participants to groups. This enables careful monitoring of the stretching programs effects compared to standard care over time.

Efficacy of a Home-based Stretching Program on Fibromyalgia Symptoms: a Randomised Controlled Trial