Comparing a Ring Fit Adventure exergame program with home exercise for women with fibromyalgia
Investigation of the Effectiveness of a Video-Based Exercise (Exergame) Program in Women With Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
This project tests whether using the Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure twice weekly helps women aged 30–70 with fibromyalgia reduce pain, improve balance, and feel better compared with a standard home exercise program.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 30 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | Halic University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul) |
| Trial ID | NCT07304167 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized study will assign women with fibromyalgia to either a supervised exergame program using Ring Fit Adventure or a home-based exercise program, with sessions twice a week for four weeks. Outcomes including pain, balance, functional mobility, and quality of life will be measured before and after the training period and at a later follow-up. Exercises in the exergame arm are delivered under physiotherapist supervision or remote monitoring, while the control arm follows a traditional home exercise protocol. The trial focuses on engagement, physical function, and psychosocial measures to see if game-based exercise provides added benefit over usual home exercise.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Women aged 30–70 with a clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia who meet the 2016 ACR criteria and are willing and able to participate in supervised or remotely monitored exercise are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have major cardiovascular, neurological, severe orthopedic conditions, epilepsy, or other contraindications to physical activity are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the exergame approach could increase motivation and adherence and lead to greater improvements in pain, balance, and quality of life than standard home exercise.
How similar studies have performed: Exergames have shown promise for adherence and balance in older adults and some neurological/musculoskeletal groups, but evidence in fibromyalgia is scarce and no prior studies using Ring Fit Adventure in this population have been reported.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Women aged between 30 and 70 years, which is an age range in which fibromyalgia (FM) is more prevalent; * Having a diagnosis of fibromyalgia; * Being willing to participate in the study and signing the informed consent form; * Meeting the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria, defined as a Widespread Pain Index (WPI) ≥ 7 and a Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) score ≥ 5, or WPI = 4-6 and SSS ≥ 9. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Any known advanced pathology related to the locomotor system that contraindicates physical activity (such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, or uric acid disorders) * Epilepsy * History of severe headache * Neurological disorder * Peripheral neuropathy * Known severe cardiovascular disease (such as endocranial hypertension, uncontrolled arterial hypertension, heart failure, or presence of a pacemaker) * Orthopedic disorders of the upper or lower extremities that prevent participation in physical activity * Rheumatologic disease other than fibromyalgia * Pneumothorax * Neoplasia * Surgery within the last four months * Severe psychiatric illness (such as uncontrolled depression and anxiety, personality disorders, dementia, or cognitive impairments related to substance abuse) * Diagnosis of alcohol dependence or use of psychoactive drugs or narcotics * Participation in any physical activity program within two months prior to the start of the study * Body mass index (BMI) greater than 29.9
Where this trial is running
Istanbul
- Halic University — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Gülhan Fetin, PT — Halic University
- Study coordinator: Ayşenur Çetinkaya, PhD
- Email: aysenurcetinkaya@halic.edu.tr
- Phone: +905077218827
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.