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Chronic fatigue sufferers beat blues with exercise

EMBARGOED UNTIL 12.00 NOON SUNDAY 3 MAY 2004

Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can achieve physical and mental improvements from exercise, according to the latest edition of The Medical Journal of Australia.

In a trial held at the University of Western Australia, 61 patients diagnosed with CFS agreed to perform graded exercises from the choice of walking, cycling or swimming.  Exercise duration was over 12 weeks.

Dr Karen Wallman and colleagues from the School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, University of Western Australia, measured improvements in physical work capacity, as well as in specific psychological and cognitive variables.

"Improvements may be associated with patients abandoning avoidance behaviours," Dr Wallman said.

"Scores for depression improved after exercise, along with attentional function, while mental fatigue decreased.

"Most patients (91 per cent) rated themselves as feeling better after the exercise intervention, and no patient felt that graded exercise worsened their symptoms," Dr Wallman said.

In concluding, Dr Wallman said further studies that include a longer intervention period and a formal follow up would provide valuable information in this debilitating disorder.

In the same issue of the Journal, Professor Andrew Lloyd, University of New South Wales, says there has, so far, been a remarkable lack of benefit from the treatments evaluated in the areas of antiviral, immunological, hormonal, and anti-depressant agents.

"Although the disorder is well recognised, the cause remains unknown," Professor Lloyd said.

"Because CFS is characterised by long prolonged symptoms, patients may develop a perception that exercise is harmful in the short term and detrimental in the longer term."

Professor Lloyd says the components of resting systolic blood pressure and work capacity, were improved in the active group, along with improvements in mood and cognitive performance, making the reconditioning element of the program an effective one.

The Medical Journal of Australia is a publication of the Australian Medical Association.

CONTACT:     Research, Dr Karen WALLMAN, 08 9387 1280 kwallman@cyllene.uwa.edu.au

                   Editorial, Prof Andrew LLOYD, 0011 1 404 639 3699 (w)

                   0011 1 404 377 5585 (h) 14 hrs behind a.lloyd@unsw.edu.au                                 

                  Judith Tokley, AMA Public Affairs        02 6270 5471 (w) 0408 824 306

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