Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in chronic fatigue
syndrome.

Med J Aust. 2004 May 3;180(9):444-8.

Wallman KE, Morton AR, Goodman C, Grove R, Guilfoyle AM.

School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of
Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia.
mailto:kwallman@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

NLM Citation: PMID: 15115421


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).

DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Human performance
laboratory at the University of Western Australia.

PARTICIPANTS: 61 patients aged between 16 and 74 years diagnosed with
CFS. INTERVENTIONS: Either graded exercise with pacing (32 patients) or
relaxation/flexibility therapy (29 patients) performed twice a day over
12 weeks.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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.