The Impact of Physical Activity on Quality of Life for individuals Living Endometriosis. A Systematic Review

Condition or domain being studied:

Endometritis; Quality of Life; Health-Related Quality of Life; Non-Pharmacological Interventions; Physical activity; Non-Surgical Interventions; Physical Activity Level; Physical Exercises

Endometriosis is a chronic whole-body condition caused by tissue similar to endometrium cells that line the womb and can cause multiple psychological and physical disruptive symptoms such as brain fog, chronic pain and fatigue.

Rationale for the review:

Endometriosis is a long-term health condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body. This can cause physical and mental symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog that can be severe and unpredictable, often disrupting everyday life activities and significantly impact quality of life.

Although NHS recommends regular physical activity (PA) for good health, people with endometriosis may find it difficult to stay active due to symptom flare-ups. Over time, this may lead to reduced wellbeing and increase health risks. Endometriosis is a condition that falls under women's health, an area of research that has historically been neglected. There is limited research on endometriosis affects physical activity engagement and it's impact generally and synthesised. Efforts to close knowledge gaps predominantly focused on pharmacological and surgical interventions. However, it is still considered a lifelong and incurable condition, therefore, there is value in understanding lifestyle implications on endometriosis and overall wellbeing throughout their life course. Research needs to close gaps regarding holistic, person centered approaches to managing quality of life and wellbeing living with endometriosis co-currently with supporting protective health behaviors for health longevity.

Findings will improve understanding of how and what physical activity interventions impact the quality of life for those living with endometriosis, imperative to informing future intervention designs that are effective and appropriately adapted for those with endometriosis beyond pharmacological approaches.

Review objectives:

How effective are physical activity interventions for improving quality of life for those living with endometriosis?

What physical activity interventions are most effective for improving quality of life within endometriosis populations?

What key interventions components differences between intervention types, intensity, and length differ across quality of life outcomes within endometriosis populations?