Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) describes a disorder comprising chronic debilitating fatigue that cannot be explained by any known chronic medical or psychological condition.1 To date, the only therapies that have consistently ameliorated symptoms in this disorder are cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise.2-5 This article describes a graded exercise program based on the exercise prescription used in our recent randomised controlled trial.5 This program has since been successfully implemented in a clinical practice. It includes the concept of pacing and is aimed at non-bed-bound, sedentary patients with CFS, as well as those already undertaking minimal aerobic exercise (ie, no more than three sessions per week of 20 minutes’ duration).
The full article is accessible to AMA members and paid subscribers. Login to read more or purchase a subscription now.
Please note: institutional and Research4Life access to the MJA is now provided through Wiley Online Library.
- 1. Holmes G, Kaplan J, Gantz N, et al. Chronic fatigue syndrome: a working case definition. Ann Intern Med 1988; 108: 387–389.
- 2. Fulcher KY, White PD. Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ 1997; 314: 1647-1652.
- 3. Weardon A, Morriss R, Mullis R, et al. Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment trial of fluoxetine and graded exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome. Br J Psychiatry 1998; 172: 485-490.
- 4. Powell R, Bentall R, Nye FJ, Edwards RH. Randomised controlled trial of patient education to encourage graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. BMJ 2001; 322: 387-390.
- 5. Wallman KE, Morton AR, Goodman C, et al. Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. Med J Aust 2004; 180: 444-448. <MJA full text>
- 6. Courneya KS. Exercise in cancer survivors: an overview of research. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003; 35: 1846-1852.
- 7. Coats AJS, Adamopoulos A, Meyer TE, et al. Effects of physical training in chronic heart failure. Lancet 1990: 335: 63-66.
- 8. Petajan JH, Gappmaier E, White AT, et al. Impact of aerobic training on fitness and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Ann Neurol 1996; 39: 432-441.
- 9. Richards SCM, Scott DL. Prescribed exercise in people with fibromyalgia: parallel group randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2002; 325: 185-188.
- 10. Wessely S, Edwards R. Chronic fatigue. In: Greenwood R, Barnes M, McMillan T, Ward C, editors. Neurological rehabilitation. London, UK: Churchill Livingstone, 1993: 311-325.
- 11. Borg G. Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1982; 14 (5): 377–381.
None identified.