Effects of exergames on heart rate variability of women with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial

Santos Villafaina,Francisco J Domínguez-Muñoz,Juan P Fuentes-Garcia,Narcis Gusi,Daniel Collado-Mateo

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-61617-8

Santos Villafaina, Francisco J Domínguez-Muñoz + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61617-8

Copy DOI

Abstract

The objective of the present manuscript was to evaluate the effects of 24-weeks exergame intervention on the heart rate variability (HRV) of women with fibromyalgia. First, 56 women with fibromyalgia were assessed for eligibility. A total of 55 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A 24-weeks of exergames were completed by the exercise group in the university facilities. It was focused on the mobility, postural control, upper and lower limbs coordination, aerobic fitness and strength. A total of 120 min per week, divided into two sessions of 60 min, was completed. A short-term 5 min record at rest was used to assess the HRV. Time (SDNN and RMSSD) and non-linear indexes (Higuchi´s Fractal Dimension, SD1, SD2, ln stress score, and SD1/SD2) of HRV were extracted. Fifty participants (achieving an 89.28% of adherence), recruited from the local fibromyalgia association completed the study. They were randomly divided into an exercise (age = 54.04[8.45]) and a control group (52.72[9.98]). Significant interaction (group*time) effects in SDNN, ln stress score, SD2, and SD1/SD2 ratio were found. The EG showed an increase of SDNN and a decreased ln stress score and SD2. The CG showed an increased ln stress score, SD1/SD2. In conclusion, 24-weeks of exergame intervention based on the tool VirtualEx-FM improved the autonomic control in patients with fibromyalgia. However, significant effects on Higuchi´s fractal dimension were not found. This is the first study using exergame as a therapy in women with fibromyalgia which has led to an improvement the autonomic balance in these patients.

Highlights

The objective of the present manuscript was to evaluate the effects of 24-weeks exergame intervention on the heart rate variability (HRV) of women with fibromyalgia
Participants were randomly allocated into two groups: exercise group (EG) and control group (CG)
55 women were randomized into two groups: EG and CG

Summary

Introduction

The objective of the present manuscript was to evaluate the effects of 24-weeks exergame intervention on the heart rate variability (HRV) of women with fibromyalgia. Fifty participants (achieving an 89.28% of adherence), recruited from the local fibromyalgia association completed the study They were randomly divided into an exercise (age = 54.04[8.45]) and a control group (52.72[9.98]). Significant effects on Higuchis fractal dimension were not found This is the first study using exergame as a therapy in women with fibromyalgia which has led to an improvement the autonomic balance in these patients. The heart rate variability (HRV) (beat-to-beat variation in the R-R interval) is a reproducible and non-invasive measure of the autonomic nervous system function[9]. Exergames are a non-immersive variation of VR which involve physical exercise[24] In this regard, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that musculoskeletal pain was reduced after exergame interventions, especially in patients suffering from chronic pain. In patients with fibromyalgia, an 8-week exergame intervention improved the mobility skills[25] and the quality of life and pain[26]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion