Effects of Adding Motor Imagery Training to Exercise on Pain, Fibromyalgia Impact, and Kinesiophobia in Women With Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Aim: To evaluate the effects of adding motor imagery training to exercise on pain, fibromyalgia impact, and kinesiophobia in women with fibromyalgia, and compare imagery ability and kinesiophobia with healthy volunteers. Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 100 women with fibromyalgia were allocated to exercise alone (n=50) or exercise plus motor imagery training (n=50) for one month. Forty-five healthy volunteers provided baseline comparisons. Outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain and global assessment, Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR), and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Baseline imagery ability was assessed using the Kinesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire-20.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Being between the ages of 18 and 65 2. Having received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2016 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria Exclusion Criteria: 1. Being under the age of 18 or over the age of 65 2. Having a history of severe systemic, neurological, or psychiatric disease 3. Having difficulty comprehending given instructions