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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
80
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).
Federal University of Sao Paulo
São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Visual Analog Scale for Pain
score between 0 and 100 where 0 is no pain and 100 in unbearable pain
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Function - 6 Minute Walk Test
meters traveled on a 20-meter course over a six-minute period
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
score between 0 from 10 with 0 indicating no impairment and 10 indicating maximum impairment
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - SF-36 -Functional Capacity
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - SF-36 - Physical Limitation
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - Sf-36 - Pain
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - Sf-36 - General Health State
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - SF-36 - Vitality
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - SF-36 - Social Aspects
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - SF-36 - Emotional Aspects
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Quality of Life - SF-36 - Mental Health
score between 0 from 100, with higher scores denoting better quality of life
Time frame: baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Depression - Beck Inventory
score between 0 from 63, with higher score indicating greater depression
Time frame: Baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
Self-image - Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination Questionnaire
scored between 0 from 168, with higher scores indicating greater level of dissatisfaction with self-image
Time frame: Baseline, after 16 weeks and after 32 weeks
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