Effects of water- and land-based exercises on quality of life and physical aspects in women with fibromyalgia: A randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Fibromyalgia (FM) is consistently associated with fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, and anxiety and depression, affecting physical capacities and skills and thereby reducing quality of life. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of water-based and land-based therapies as an adjuvant treatment for women with FM in relation to quality of life and physical aspects.

Methods: FM women were randomized into a water-based exercise group (WG) and land-based exercise group (LG). The interventions were conducted for 8 weeks, three times a week, and each therapy session had a 60-min duration. Evaluations were performed before and after intervention using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, the Visual Analogue Scale, the number of tender points (TPs), and the Wells bench sit and reach test score.

Results: Both interventions produced significantly positive clinical effects in most aspects evaluated. However, only WG obtained significant improvements for the variables functional capacity, number of TPs, and flexibility.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that water-based exercise is effective as an adjuvant FM treatment, including FM-related physical and psychological health aspects.