Exercise is a controversial topic in regards to ME/CFS. This section contains information, research and other items of interest in relation to exercise. Please also see the section on pacing, under Managing symptoms of ME/CFS.
Susanna Agardy (2009) Exercise/activity guidance note for ME/CFS
Letters to the editor of the Medical Journal of Australia (2004) 'To exercise or not to exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome', vol. 181, no. 10, pp. 578-580.
Tom Kindlon (Ireland) has collated research results that show Graded Exercise Therapy produces a high rate of adverse reactions in ME/CFS. Submitted to CDC 2009. Click here for the full report.
Dr Martin Lerner, an infectious diseases specialist, asks his patients not to exercise until their Energy Index Point Score® (EIPS®) improves to 8. A CFS patient has an EIPS® of zero if bedridden. An EIPS® of 5 allows a CFS patient to keep a sedentary job, but do little else. A CFS patient with an EIPS® point score 7 does not need to nap during the day. The El point score is a validated reliable method to assess fatigue in CFS patients (see research articles). For a copy of the Energy Index Point Score and Dr Lerner’s work with CFS click here.
CFIDS Self Help Website: Pacing by numbers: using your heart rate to stay inside the energy envelope.
Journal Articles
Jason L et al (2009) 'The impact of energy modulation on physical functioning and fatigue severity among patients with CFS', Patient Education and Counselling, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 153-4. [Abstract]
Maes, M & Twisk, F (2009) 'A review on cognitive behavorial therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): CBT/GET is not only ineffective and not evidence-based, but also potentially harmful for many patients with ME/CFS', Neuroendocrinology Letters, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 284-289. [Full Article].
Kindlon, T (2009) 'Letters to the editor: Graded exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome: too soon to dismiss reports of adverse reactions', Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, [Full Article].
