The effects of tele-yoga on symptom management and patient perceptions in fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Tele-yoga is regarded as a promising approach for managing fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS); however, substantial gaps still exist in the literature. This study aims to investigate the effects of a telerehabilitation-based yoga therapy program on pain, central sensitization, disease activity, fear-avoidance, sleep, and fatigue, as well as to explore patients' perceptions of the intervention among individuals with FMS. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with FMS were randomized into the tele-yoga training group or the control group (CG). The tele-yoga training was performed on Zoom software for 4 weeks, with one session per week, 60 min per day. No intervention was made in the control group. Tender points, Central Sensitization Inventory Short-Form (CSI-SF), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were evaluated. Additionally, in the tele-yoga training group, patients completed the Exercise Therapy Burden Questionnaire (ETBQ) after treatment only. RESULTS: Post-treatment, the tele-yoga training group showed significantly greater improvements than the CG in tender points, CSI-SF, NRS, and PSQI (p < 0.05). The tele-yoga group demonstrated treatment effects ranging from medium to large on the CSI-SF, FIQ, FABQ-work, and PSQI outcomes, with Cohen's d values between 0.55 and 1.04. A comparison of training satisfaction levels revealed significantly higher satisfaction in the tele-yoga group compared to the CG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of adverse events supports the safety and practicality of tele-yoga, emphasizing its potential as an effective and accessible intervention for managing FMS symptoms and enhancing patient outcomes.