To compare different exercise prescriptions for patients with chronic pain along the continuum of nociplastic pain: fibromyalgia, chronic whiplash-associated disorders (CWAD), and chronic idiopathic neck pain (CINP).
Randomized controlled trials comparing different exercise parameters were included. The search was performed in the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PEDro. Data on the parameters for the physical exercise programs for pain management were extracted for analysis.
Fifty studies with 3,562 participants were included. For fibromyalgia, both aerobic or strengthening exercises were similar and better than stretching exercises alone. Exercises could be performed in 50- to 60-minute supervised sessions, 2 to 3 times a week, for 13 weeks or more. For CWAD, body awareness exercises were similar to combined exercises, and there was no difference in adding sling exercises to a strengthening exercise program. The exercises could be performed in 90-minute supervised sessions, twice a week, for 10 to 16 weeks. For CINP, motor control exercises and nonspecific muscle strengthening had a similar effect. Exercises could be performed in 30- to 60-minute supervised sessions, 2 to 3 times a week, for 7 to 12 weeks.
The choice of parameters regarding exercises should emphasize global exercises in nociplastic pain conditions (such as fibromyalgia and CWAD) and specific exercises in non-nociplastic pain conditions (such as CINP) and be based on patient’s preference and therapist’s skills.

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