Rehabilitation of decreased motor performance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: should we treat low effort capacity or reduced effort tolerance?
OBJECTIVE
The aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic delineation and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) remain a matter of debate. Here some aspects of the debate are elucidated, with a particular focus on the patients' decreased motor performance.


OBJECTIVE
The pathophysiological basis of decreased motor performance in CFS may, theoretically, involve three components: (1) a peripheral energetic deficit (impaired oxidative metabolism and/or physical deconditioning); (2) a central perceptual disturbance (higher effort sense or increased 'interoception'); and (3) a fundamental failure of the neurobiological stress system, leading to an abnormal 'sickness response'. It is proposed that the first two components may lead to low effort capacity, while the third component may lead to reduced effort tolerance. Although there is evidence for low effort capacity influencing symptoms and functional limitations in CFS, it is assumed that reduced effort tolerance might be the primary disturbance in CFS.
Distinguishing low effort capacity and reduced effort tolerance may contribute to a refinement of current diagnostic criteria of CFS and the identification of subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
The above-mentioned distinction may make it possible to formulate a rationale for an effective implementation and adequate outcome evaluation of rehabilitation strategies in CFS.


CONCLUSIONS
This new heuristic framework may inform future research aimed at disentangling the complex determination of impaired motor performance in CFS, as well as studies aimed at customizing treatment to different subtypes of patients.
Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. boudewijn.vanhoudenhove@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
B
B
Van Houdenhove
L
L
Verheyen
K
K
Pardaens
P
P
Luyten
P
P
Van Wambeke
D052636:Allostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities