Physical activity correlates in people with fibromyalgia: a systematic review

PurposeUnderstanding the enablers of and barriers to physical activity (PA) participation in people with fibromyalgia (PwF) is an essential first step to developing effective PA interventions. This systematic review examined correlates of PA across the socio-ecological model (i.e., intra-personal, inter-personal, environmental, and policy level) in PwF.Materials and methodsPubMed, Embase, and CINAHL were searched from inception until 12 July 2022. Keywords included physical activity or exercise and fibromyalgia or fibrositis. Summary coding was used to quantify the PA correlates.ResultsOut of 74 PA correlates retrieved from 39 articles (n = 9426), co-morbid depression and higher pain intensity were found to be consistent (i.e., reported in four or more articles) barriers to PA in PwF, while higher self-efficacy and better endurance were found to be consistent enablers to PA. Despite the abundance of evidence for the PA benefits for PwF, we only found consistent evidence for PA correlates at the intrapersonal level.ConclusionsHealth professionals should consider mental and physical health barriers when promoting PA in PwF. There remains a need to better understand social, environmental, and policy-related factors associated with PA participation in PwF

Automated summary

This systematic review examined the correlates of physical activity participation in people with fibromyalgia (PwF) across different levels of the socio-ecological model. The study found that co-morbid depression and higher pain intensity were consistent barriers to physical activity in PwF, while higher self-efficacy and better endurance were consistent enablers. However, consistent evidence for correlates of physical activity was mainly found at the intra-personal level.