Graded Exercise Recommended for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Lourdes Salvador
July 05, 2008
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious illness and poses a dilemma for patients, their families, and health care providers.
The CDC says "a variety of studies by CDC and others have shown that between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). They are seriously impaired, at least a quarter are unemployed or on disability because of CFS."
People who suffer from CFS have unrelenting fatigue severe enough to limit the most basic daily living tasks of bathing, cleaning, and dressing. The CDC cites the following symptoms presentation for CFS:
cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration
postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise
unrefreshing sleep
joint pain (without redness or swelling)
persistent muscle pain
headaches of a new type or severity
tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
sore throat
The CDC lists several possible causes of CFS, including infectious agents, immunology, hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis deregulation, neurally mediated hypotension, and nutritional deficiencies.
Due to the fact that post-exertional malaise is common in CFS, most practitioners recommend avoidance of exercise and strenuous activity to preserve energy.
However, the Cochrane Collaboration advises practitioners to implement graded exercise therapy, saying that it can be undertaken safely with no detrimental effects on the immune system provided that it is catered for individual physical capabilities and takes into account the fluctuating nature of symptoms.
They do, however, acknowledge that exercise can exacerbate symptoms and may promote immune dysfunction. Patients with CFS frequently report debilitating exhaustion after a mere few minutes of gentle exercise despite any former athletic abilities.
An individual with CFS undertaking an exercise program should remember to pace their activities and respect their physical and mental limitations with the ultimate aim of improving their everyday functioning, according the researchers.
Reference
Nijs J, Paul L, Wallman K. Chronic fatigue syndrome: an approach combining self-management with graded exercise to avoid exacerbations. J Rehabil Med. 2008 Apr;40(4):241-7.
The CDC says "a variety of studies by CDC and others have shown that between 1 and 4 million Americans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). They are seriously impaired, at least a quarter are unemployed or on disability because of CFS."
People who suffer from CFS have unrelenting fatigue severe enough to limit the most basic daily living tasks of bathing, cleaning, and dressing. The CDC cites the following symptoms presentation for CFS:
cognitive dysfunction, including impaired memory or concentration
postexertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours (exhaustion and increased symptoms) following physical or mental exercise
unrefreshing sleep
joint pain (without redness or swelling)
persistent muscle pain
headaches of a new type or severity
tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
sore throat
The CDC lists several possible causes of CFS, including infectious agents, immunology, hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis deregulation, neurally mediated hypotension, and nutritional deficiencies.
Due to the fact that post-exertional malaise is common in CFS, most practitioners recommend avoidance of exercise and strenuous activity to preserve energy.
However, the Cochrane Collaboration advises practitioners to implement graded exercise therapy, saying that it can be undertaken safely with no detrimental effects on the immune system provided that it is catered for individual physical capabilities and takes into account the fluctuating nature of symptoms.
They do, however, acknowledge that exercise can exacerbate symptoms and may promote immune dysfunction. Patients with CFS frequently report debilitating exhaustion after a mere few minutes of gentle exercise despite any former athletic abilities.
An individual with CFS undertaking an exercise program should remember to pace their activities and respect their physical and mental limitations with the ultimate aim of improving their everyday functioning, according the researchers.
Reference
Nijs J, Paul L, Wallman K. Chronic fatigue syndrome: an approach combining self-management with graded exercise to avoid exacerbations. J Rehabil Med. 2008 Apr;40(4):241-7.
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