Clinical Update

Exercise prescription for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome

Med J Aust. 2005 Aug 1;183(3):142-143.

Karen E Wallman, Alan R Morton, Carmel Goodman and Robert Grove

Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western
Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
kwallman@cyllene.uwa.edu.au.

NLM Citation: PMID: 16053417

Introduction:
This graded exercise program is suitable for prescription in general practice.

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 article is available on-line at
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/183_03_010805/wal10079_fm.html