Given the lack of evidence in support of pacing self-management for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), it is examined whether physical behavior and health status of patients with CFS improve in response to a pacing self-management program. The effects of pacing will be compared with those observed when applying relaxation therapy to patients with CFS.
Given the lack of evidence in support of pacing self-management for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), it is examined whether physical behavior and health status of patients with CFS improve in response to a pacing self-management program. The effects of pacing will be compared with those observed when applying relaxation therapy to patients with CFS. According to the power calculation, 36 patients fulfilling the 1994 Centre for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) will be randomized to either 3 weeks of pacing activity self-management or relaxation therapy. Both treatment groups will receive 3 weekly sessions spread over 3 consecutive weeks. All treatments will be delivered by occupational therapists or physiotherapists. One treatment session lasts for about 45 minutes each. Outcome measures include the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Medical Outcomes Short Form 37 Health Status Survey (SF-36), Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), CFS Symptom List and autonomic activity at rest and following 3 activities of daily living (writing a standardized test on a laptop computer, ironing, and climbing 26 flights of stairs). For measuring autonomic activity, the Nexus 10 device (Mind Media, the Netherlands) will be used. Skin conductance, body temperature, heart rate, blood volume pressure and heart rate variability will be measured continuously in real time during a 2 minutes period, with the patient sitting on a chair (back supported and hands resting on legs). Electrodes will be placed on the left hand in all patients.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
33
3 one-on-one sessions weekly for 3 consecutive weeks
3 one-on-one sessions weekly for 3 consecutive weeks
University Hospital Antwerp
Antwerp, Belgium
the change in score on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
well-validated, reliable and frequently used outcome measure semi-structered interview
Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and post-treatment (week 5)
the change in subscale scores on the Medical Outcomes Short Form 37 Health Status Survey (SF-36)
The SF-36 assesses functional status and well-being or quality of life. The SF-36 has been documented to have reliability and validity in a wide variety of patient populations and it is the most frequently used measure in CFS research.
Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and post-treatment (week 5)
the change in Ckecklist Individual Strength (CIS)
The CIS aims at assessing the subjective fatigue experience, concentration difficulties, motivation and physical activity. Higher scores on the CIS correspond to severe fatigue, many concentration difficulties, problems with motivation and a low level of physical activity. Its psychometric properties are well established.
Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and post-treatment (week 5)
the change in CFS Symptom List
The CFS Symptom List is a self-reported measure for assessing symptom severity in CFS patients. In order to assess the severity of the symptoms included in the CFS Symptom List, visual analogue scales (100 mm) are used. Psychometric work supporting the use of the CFS Symptom List has been published.
Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and post-treatment (week 5)
the change in autonomic activity at rest and following 3 activities of daily living
The 3 activities of daily living entail writing a standardized test on a laptop computer, ironing, and climbing 26 flights of stairs. For measuring autonomic activity, the Nexus 10 device (Mind Media, the Netherlands) will be used. Skin conductance, body temperature, heart rate, blood volume pressure and heart rate variability will be measured continuously in real time during a 2 minutes period, with the patient sitting on a chair (back supported and hands resting on legs). Electrodes will be placed on the left hand in all patients.
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Time frame: measured at baseline (week 1) and post-treatment (week 5)