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Research: WALLMAN and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 104
Abstract
WALLMAN and co-workers, School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia, kwallman@cyllene.uwa.edu.au, have tested a programme of graded exercise in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Background
The objective of the study was to find out whether 12 weeks of graded exercise with pacing would improve physiological, psychological and cognitive functions in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME).
Methodology
In this randomized controlled trial, 61 patients aged between 16 and 74 and diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome were enrolled. For 12 weeks, they either performed graded exercise with pacing (32 patients) or relaxation / flexibility therapy (29 patients) twice a day. Changes in physiological, psychological and cognitive variables were assessed.
Results
After the graded exercise intervention, scores were improved for resting systolic blood pressure, work capacity, net blood lactate production, depression, and performance on a modified Stroop Colour word test. All these improvements were statistically significant. No such improvements were found in the control group. In addition, rating of perceived exertion, associated with an exercise test, was lower after graded exercise.
Conclusion
The authors have found that improvements in physical work capacity as well as specific psychological and cognitive parameters are associated with graded exercise, and speculate that this may be connected with the abandonment of avoidance behaviours.
References
Wallman KE, Morton AR, Goodman C, Grove R, Guilfoyle AM. Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. The Medical Journal of Australia 180 (9): 444-448, May 3, 2004.
Comment
The significant clinical improvements in the above studies using acupressure for kidney disease and graded exercise for chronic fatigue are encouraging. These therapies have the potential to become part of normal medical treatment for such conditions.
