A Physiotherapy-Based Dance Exercise Intervention Can Improve Body Awareness and Reduce Pain Perception But Does Not Affect Kinesiophobia in Women with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Background: Fibromyalgia impacts physical and mental health, affecting movement and body awareness. Non-pharmacological treatments like physiotherapy-based dance exercise intervention (PBDEI) may improve symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of PBDEI as a non-pharmacological intervention for chronic pain, focusing on improving body awareness and reducing pain perception in patients with chronic conditions.

Methods: The study involved five women with fibromyalgia aged between 20 and 40 years, all with chronic pain in different body areas (e.g., back, head, right hemibody). Participants underwent a 4-week dance intervention, with 60-minute sessions focused on flexibility, body awareness, strength, and aerobic capacity. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA) questionnaire for body awareness, the TSK scale for kinesophobia, and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain perception.

Results: Post-intervention results showed improvements in body awareness, with most participants demonstrating increased MAIA scores. Pain perception decreased by 40% to 60% across participants. However, no significant changes were observed in the TSK scores, indicating no reduction in kinesophobia.

Conclusions: PBDEI was found to be effective in improving body awareness and reducing pain perception in chronic pain patients. While it had a positive effect on pain, it did not significantly reduce kinesophobia. These findings suggest that dance may be a promising strategy in chronic pain management, offering benefits not only for pain relief but also for enhancing body awareness. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended intervention periods is recommended to confirm these results.