Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether 12 weeks of graded exercise with pacing would improve specific physiological, psychological and cognitive functions in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Human performance laboratory at the University of Western Australia.


METHODS
61 patients aged between 16 and 74 years diagnosed with CFS.


METHODS
Either graded exercise with pacing (32 patients) or relaxation/flexibility therapy (29 patients) performed twice a day over 12 weeks.


METHODS
Changes in any of the physiological, psychological or cognitive variables assessed.


RESULTS
Following the graded exercise intervention, scores were improved for resting systolic blood pressure (P = 0.018), work capacity (W.kg(-1)) (P = 0.019), net blood lactate production (P = 0.036), depression (P = 0.027) and performance on a modified Stroop Colour Word test (P = 0.029). Rating of perceived exertion scores, associated with an exercise test, was lower after graded exercise (P = 0.013). No such changes were observed in the relaxation/flexibility condition, which served as an attention-placebo control.


CONCLUSIONS
Graded exercise was associated with improvements in physical work capacity, as well as in specific psychological and cognitive variables. Improvements may be associated with the abandonment of avoidance behaviours.
Wallman
Karen E
KE
School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia. kwallman@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
Morton
Alan R
AR
Goodman
Carmel
C
Grove
Robert
R
Guilfoyle
Andrew M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015444:Exercise; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D012064:Relaxation Therapy