Effectiveness of Dance on Patients With Fibromyalgia

The aim of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of belly dance as a treatment for pain and improving the quality of life of patients with fibromyalgia. Eighty female patients with fibromyalgia between 18 to 65 years were randomly allocated to a dance group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Patients in the dance group underwent 16 weeks of belly dance twice a week, while the patients in the control group remained on a waiting list. Patients were evaluated with regard to pain (Visual Analogue Scale), function (6 minute walk test), quality of life (Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and SF-36), depression (Beck Inventory), anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) and self-image (Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination) questionnaire. Evaluations were carried out at baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks.

Belly dance classes twice a week for 16 weeks. Each class had a maximum of eight students. The classes were administered by a physiotherapist with eight years of experience in belly dance. Classes began with a warm-up exercise, followed by the predetermined movements for the day, choreography and a cool-down exercise. The participants received a compact disc with music and an exercise book with the history and movements proposed for the program. Beginning in the fourth week, a set sequence of movements in the form of choreography was established for memorization and training at home.

The control group did not receive any intervention. They attended all assessments and remained on the waiting lis (after the end of the study was offered to this group the same treatment in the intervention group).

scored between 0 from 168, with higher scores indicating greater level of dissatisfaction with self-image

Inclusion Criteria: classification of fibromyalgia based on the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology female gender aged between 18 and 65 years Exclusion Criteria: not having altered treatment in previous three years having signed a term of informed consent patients with other rheumatic diseases, painful osteoarticular conditions, uncontrolled cardiopulmonary disease, diseases of the lower limbs or uncontrolled diabetes were excluded

Baptista AS, Villela AL, Jones A, Natour J. Effectiveness of dance in patients with fibromyalgia: a randomized, single-blind, controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2012 Nov-Dec;30(6 Suppl 74):18-23. Epub 2012 Dec 14.