The effects of a group exercise and education programme on symptoms and physical fitness in patients with fibromyalgia: a prospective observational cohort study.

Given the limited attention on a combined exercise and education approach for those with chronic musculoskeletal pain disorder such as fibromyalgia, the purpose of this was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined exercise and education programme on symptoms and physical fitness in participants with fibromyalgia. Using a prospective observational cohort study, participants with fibromyalgia ( Forty-three participants (age = 49.7 ± 15.2 y) completed the 6-week programme, with improvements observed for the 6MWT (67 m, The results in this study indiciate small-to-moderate improvements in the 6MWT and FIQR after a combined exercise and education programme, with direct delivery being more effective.Implications for rehabilitationA six-week exercise and education programme elicited moderate, short-term (6 weeks) benefits on physical fitness and key symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia.On average, these benefits were sustained in the long-term (6 months) following the programme but were small-to-moderate and lower than the MCID.Regular follow-up may be required to improve adherence to the education and exercise programme and maintain or increase the observed improvements in 6MWT and FIQR.