Effects of traditional Chinese exercise therapy on pain scores, sleep quality, and anxiety-depression symptoms in fibromyalgia patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Fibromyalgia (FM) presents a complex and challenging chronic rheumatic disorder, characterized by a constellation of symptoms, including widespread bodily pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, and depression [1]. In rheumatology clinics, it ranks as the third most common diagnosis, affecting a considerable portion of the population, with prevalence rates ranging from 1.3 to 8% [2]. This enigmatic condition, often devoid of a well-defined underlying organic cause, imposes enduring physical discomfort and emotional functional limitations, profoundly compromising the quality of life for those afflicted [3]. Furthermore, FM imposes substantial direct and indirect burdens on individuals, families, and society as a whole [4]. Given the multifaceted nature of FM, a holistic and multidimensional approach to its management has been advocated. This approach extends beyond traditional pharmacotherapy and encompasses alternative interventions, such as acupuncture, electrical stimulation, massage, Specific pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) [5],cognitive therapies, and pain management strategies. Among these non-pharmacological therapies, exercise therapy has garnered significant attention and acceptance among FM patients. Research suggests that exercise can enhance daily functional capabilities, overall quality of life, and mitigate fatigue and pain [6]. In two studies, Scaturro D et al. found that the intervention regimens of Rehabilitation and Vitamin D Supplementation [7], and Exercise and Mesotherapy [8] were proven to be safe and effective in improving pain outcomes, functional recovery, and quality of life in the short term. However, in the quest to harness the therapeutic potential of exercise for FM patients, the choice of exercise modality and intensity becomes a pivotal consideration. Numerous studies have explored various exercise interventions for FM patients, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, combined aerobic and resistance training, and mind-body exercises such as Tai Chi and Qigong [9‐12]. Yet, due to the often-observed reduced muscle strength and limited flexibility in FM patients, adhering to conventional exercise regimens can prove challenging, yielding less pronounced pain relief and psychological well-being improvements. Recognizing these challenges, innovative exercise strategies tailored to the specific needs and limitations of FM patients are essential for achieving more robust therapeutic outcomes. Customized exercise plans that accommodate reduced muscle strength and flexibility hold the potential to yield promising results. Thus, further investigations are warranted to determine the most effective exercise modalities and dosages to optimize pain management and enhance psychological well-being in FM patients.

In recent years, a growing body of evidence has pointed towards the efficacy of integrative mind-body exercises in alleviating FM-related symptoms [12‐29]. For instance, a randomized controlled trial assessed the impact of meditative movement interventions on FM symptoms, revealing significant improvements in standardized measurements of fatigue, mood, and pain among female participants undergoing the intervention [13]. Tai Chi and Qigong have demonstrated notable effects in ameliorating severe depression [14] and improving sleep quality [15]. Tai Chi, in particular, has shown promise as an alternative approach for managing insomnia. Traditional Chinese exercise (TCE) represents a gentle and therapeutic form of low-impact aerobics and mind-body exercise derived from traditional Chinese medicine. It encompasses practices such as Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing, Wu Qin Xi, and Liu Zi Jue [16‐18]. TCE incorporates elements such as controlled breathing, gentle movements, mental relaxation, and meditation, contributing to cardiovascular and psychological benefits [19]. While various traditional Chinese exercise therapies like have demonstrated certain efficacy in preventing and treating chronic conditions like FM, the existing body of research consists primarily of cross-sectional or case reports, yielding inconsistent outcomes. Moreover, many investigations solely compare individual exercise therapies against no intervention, lacking a comprehensive evaluation through randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effectiveness of TCE interventions in FM patients. Therefore, this study takes a significant step towards filling this knowledge gap by focusing on six comm only used traditional fitness activities in clinical practice for FM intervention, employing RCTs as the research framework. Its primary objective is to consolidate, evaluate, and conduct a meta-analysis of existing RCTs involving TCE interventions for FM patients. By doing so, it aims to explore the evidence of efficacy for TCE interventions in the context of FM and provide valuable insights for their incorporation into health management practices.

This study adheres to the rigorous methodology outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines [20]. Furthermore, it follows the recommendations of the PRISMA protocol and is registered in the PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42023454469.

This study set out to investigate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese exercise therapy in treating fibromyalgia (FM) patients. We included 15 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 936 participants, the majority of whom were of advanced age. The intervention involved traditional Chinese exercise therapy, while the control groups received conventional exercise or standard care. The exclusion of confounding interventions bolstered the reliability of our findings. We assessed primary outcomes, including pain, sleep quality, and anxiety-depression status, using five distinct measurement scales: BDI, HAMD, STAI, HADS, and CES-D. A standardized mean difference (SMD) approach was employed for the meta-analysis. The results unequivocally demonstrated that traditional Chinese exercise therapy significantly reduced pain scores, improved sleep quality, and alleviated anxiety-depression symptoms in FM patients, compared to conventional exercise or standard care. A notable difference was observed between the TCE group and the control group.

Fibromyalgia (FM) represents a significant public health challenge worldwide, placing substantial strain on healthcare systems and inflicting ongoing physical and psychological distress on patients. While pharmacotherapy has historically been the primary treatment for FM, clinical trials have yet to establish a definitive therapeutic approach. The limitations of drug treatments, including dosage constraints, side effects, and incomplete effectiveness, have resulted in the limited efficacy of pharmaceutical interventions [36]. Consequently, patients seek alternative therapies such as vibroacoustic therapy, rhythmic sensory stimulation, thermotherapy, laser therapy, and exercise. Scaturro D et al. [37] discovered that the combined treatment of exercises and laser significantly improved pain perception, fatigue, and overall quality of life in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM). Exercise therapy, as a pivotal component, plays a crucial role in chronic disease management. Given the presence of symptoms like pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression in FM patients, low-intensity and low-impact exercises are more suitable as alternative therapies. TCE blends physical activity with elements of meditation and serves as an intervention that comprehensively exercises patients’ strength, cardiovascular function, balance, and flexibility.

An accumulating body of evidence supports the pivotal role of Traditional Chinese Exercise (TCE) in mitigating pain in FM patients. One trial, involving 29 participants over 7 weeks, investigated the effects of Qigong on FM patients [33], while another study, comprising 60 participants over 24 weeks, examined the impact of Tai Chi [27]. Both studies demonstrated significant effects of these interventions on FM patients’ Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores and overall physical and mental well-being. Hammond et al. [33] noted a decrease in FIQ scores following a 10-week Tai Chi intervention for FM patients, indicating improvement, although substantial improvements necessitate ongoing exercise interventions. In this study, we assessed the effects of traditional exercise therapy on FM patients’ pain symptoms using two measurement dimensions: the FIQ and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The results revealed that traditional exercise therapy effectively improved pain symptoms in FM patients (FIQ: [MD = -3.30, 95% CI (− 5.37, − 0.69), z = 2.53, p = 0.01]; VAS: [MD = -1.87, 95% CI (− 2.12, − 1.61), z = 6.98, p < 0.00001]), consistent with the findings of the aforementioned studies. However, a systematic review of Qigong and fibromyalgia syndrome [38] found that the quality of evidence for short-term pain and sleep quality improvement with Qigong exercise was relatively low compared to conventional care interventions, which may be related to the control of the intervention process in the included studies. Among the 15 studies included in our research, the duration and intensity of exercise interventions were inconsistent. Therefore, subgroup analysis of exercise duration was not performed, indicating a need for further inclusion of high-quality randomized controlled trials for evaluation. Overall, regular and sustained traditional exercise has a pronounced effect on improving pain symptoms in FM patients.

A comprehensive study of fibromyalgia (FM) patients in China [39] identified parallels with FM patients globally, underscoring sleep quality deterioration as a core symptom. This cluster, including pain, depression, and fatigue, is closely linked to psychological well-being, emphasizing the need for interventions targeting sleep and mental health. Scholarly work by Gooneratne N [40] demonstrated a significant association between inadequate sleep in the elderly, compromised health status, and an increased prevalence of chronic diseases. Fatigue and sleep inadequacy, commonly experienced by FM patients, are often exacerbated by factors such as pain and anxiety. Roizenblatt et al. [41] discovered inferior sleep quality in FM patients, highlighting a correlation with escalated pain symptoms. An extensive survey of American FM patients [42] identified morning stiffness, fatigue, pain, attention deficits, and memory issues as particularly severe symptoms. The mechanism underlying sleep quality improvement in FM patients through TCE remains unclear, although positive effects on sleep patterns and latency reduction have been noted. Chronic pain in fibromyalgia, considered to originate from central nervous system (CNS) dysregulation, frequently coexists with sleep disturbances such as insomnia [43]. Nguyen MH et al. [44] observed significant improvement in sleep quality in a Tai Chi group among elderly Vietnamese community members. Additionally, older adults with moderate sleep problems showed enhanced sleep quality through 24 weeks of Tai Chi [45], suggesting that Tai Chi may be considered a non-pharmacological approach to addressing sleep issues in older adults with sleep disturbances. This study indicates a significant effect of traditional exercise therapy in improving sleep quality among FM patients (MD = -2.23, 95% CI [− 2.86, − 1.61], z = 6.98, p < 0.0001). Deterioration in sleep quality has adverse effects on physical health; therefore, implementing interventions to address sleep disturbances in FM patients can effectively alleviate FM-related symptoms. Moreover, the gentle movements, mindful meditation, and synchronized breathing of Tai Chi allow participants to engage in exercise in a comfortable and ideal state, promoting physical exertion, facilitating metabolic processes, and ultimately enhancing sleep and improving sleep quality.

Inadequate sleep, affecting approximately 10 to 50% of the population [46], is recognized to provoke adverse emotions like depression and anxiety. Poor sleep quality has been linked to inner turmoil in adults, leading to heightened susceptibility to negative emotions. The existing literature predominantly supports a bidirectional relationship between sleep and depression. A meta-analysis by Rodríguez-Almagro D incorporating 474 randomized controlled trials [47] demonstrated that appropriate doses of exercise have a moderate effect in reducing anxiety. An Asian study focusing on elderly individuals [48] revealed significant relationships between depression, anxiety scores, and sleep disorders, underscoring the complex interconnections between these elements. Sarmento CVM [49] and Cheng CA [50] et al., showed marked improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms within the taiji intervention group in FM patients. Mindfulness practices, including Tai Chi, have been shown to be effective as standalone or adjunct therapies in reducing anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. In alignment with this research, our study indicates that Tai Chi exercise significantly improves anxiety and depression status in fibromyalgia patients (MD = -0.59, 95% CI (− 0.80, − 0.39), z = 5.63, p < 0.0001). When compared to other forms of aerobic exercise (running, swimming, or cycling), traditional exercise therapies like Tai Chi and Eight Brocades emphasize the integration of body and mind, achieving profound relaxation at both physical and psychological levels, thereby alleviating stress and promoting emotional stability. This intervention contributes significantly to enhancing emotional well-being, and Tai Chi exercise is a low-cost, easily implementable treatment strategy that can be seamlessly conducted within communities, demonstrating a high level of patient acceptance.

In summary, this study demonstrates the significant impact of traditional exercise therapy on various outcomes in patients with Fibromyalgia (FM), including pain, sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Tai Chi exercise shows great potential as an adjunctive therapy for FM patients and holds promise for widespread application. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between the exercise requirements and contraindications for individuals with this condition. Before engaging in exercise, a comprehensive scientific assessment is essential. During exercise, continuous monitoring of the patient’s responses is crucial, and any adverse reactions should be addressed promptly by discontinuing the activity. These also put forward a higher demand for exercise and chronic disease prevention and treatment, exercise prescription intervention.

While this study adhered to rigorous Meta-analysis methodology and obtained results through combining effect sizes, it is important to acknowledge certain limitations: (1) Conducting a double-blind trial for the exercise intervention is challenging, potentially leading participants in the TCE intervention group to have higher expectations. This may introduce a placebo effect that could influence the results; (2) The average age of the FM patients included in the study is relatively high, which may introduce bias and limit the generalizability of the intervention outcomes to the broader population of FM patients. (3) There were variations in the type, duration, intensity, and participants involved in the exercises included in this study, potentially contributing to the observed differences in heterogeneity. Therefore, in future Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), employing a more standardized experimental design and strictly controlling the intervention dosage in the treatment group will be crucial for improving the standardization and scientific validity of research related to exercise and chronic diseases.