Pacing Activity Self-management for Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome focused on measuring pacing, activity management, relaxation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, autonomic nervous system
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- adult
- age range between 18 and 65 years of age
- female gender
- willing to sign informed consent form
- fulfilling the 1994 Centre for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not fulfilling each of the inclusion criteria listed above.
Sites / Locations
- University Hospital Antwerp
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Pacing
relaxation therapy
The pacing self-management program focussed on teaching the patient to estimate their current physical capabilities prior to commencing an activity. In order to appropriately pace activities (daily activities and exercise bouts), CFS patients were learned to estimate their current physical capabilities prior to commencing an activity, keeping in mind the regular fluctuating nature of their symptoms. The activity duration used within the program was less than that reported by the patient so to account for typical overestimations made by the patient. Each activity block was interspersed with breaks, with the length of this break equating to the duration of the activity.
Relaxation therapy comprised of education about the role of stress in CFS biology, and the opportunities stress management provides to handle this issue. Patients were then taught how to apply stress management techniques like Jacobson relaxation skills, Schultz relaxation skills, visualization, etc.