A systematic review of 14 randomised controlled trials suggests that Nordic walking offers a promising non-pharmacological approach for managing chronic pain and fatigue. The research, which included participants with conditions ranging from Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia to chronic back pain and post-COVID recovery, found that six of nine studies reported beneficial effects on pain perception, while six of eight studies showed improvements in fatigue following Nordic walking interventions. Programs typically lasted 6-24 weeks with 2-4 sessions weekly. Notably, Nordic walking proved accessible and easy to learn, with benefits achievable even in unsupervised settings, though its effects were not consistently superior to regular walking. The findings support Nordic walking as a viable, low-barrier exercise option that may improve quality of life for individuals living with chronic conditions.
