Physical Activity in Young Girls With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders

OBJECTIVES: Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are common during childhood, especially in girls, being associated with depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Given these impacts, accessible non-pharmacological management strategies are needed. Physical activity (PA) represents a promising approach to managing FAPDs. This study aimed to assess changes in daily PA and its interaction with pain in girls with FAPDs participating in a dance and yoga intervention. Secondary aims were to describe daily PA (time and pattern) in relation to abdominal pain intensity. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, including girls 9-13 y old), PA was assessed using accelerometers at baseline and at 8-month follow-up. Pain was assessed using a pain diary based on the Faces Pain Scale-Revised. RESULTS: Girls (n=108) in both control and intervention groups reduced total PA, reduced time in light PA, and increased time as sedentary at 8-month follow up compared to baseline. Time in moderate to vigorous PA did not change significantly. No significant time x group interactions were found. Also, no significant associations between changes in pain and changes in PA parameters were found. At baseline there were significant associations between low abdominal pain and being physically active. DISCUSSION: Compared to a control group, taking part in an 8-month dance and yoga intervention did not change PA in girls with abdominal pain. However, a high PA level was associated with lower pain, underscoring the need for development and implementation of strategies supporting active lifestyles in girls with abdominal pain.The Just in TIME study is registered (September 2016) at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT02920268, Name: Just in TIME: Intervention with Dance and Yoga for Girls with Recurrent Abdominal Pain). PERSPECTIVE: This article evaluates daily physical activity in girls with functional abdominal pain disorders participating in dance and yoga, investigated in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention did not influence the level of physical activity. However, a higher level of pain was associated with lower physical activity at baseline.