Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract

Over the past two decades, a small but growing number of rehabilitation programs for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have been initiated. The aims of this paper were to review existing literature on these programs, to compare and contrast findings emerging from inpatient and outpatient programs, and to comment on the rigor and quality of methodologies used in outcomes research in this area. The studies reviewed herein varied widely in case selection criteria, program intensity, length of participation, program content, and outcome variables measured. Moreover, many were limited by selection bias, the absence of valid and reliable measures, and the absence of a control group. These limitations made it difficult to draw definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of any single approach to rehabilitation (whether

Energy conservation/envelope theory interventions

“…Pacing for patients with ME/CFS involves encouraging them to be as active as possible within the limits imposed by the illness. [37,38] Patients with ME/CFS are instructed to ignore symptoms that do not make them feel unwell. However, patients are instructed to either rest or change to an activity involving different muscles when more serious symptoms occur, indicating that their ‘limits’ have been exceeded (e.g., onset of muscle weakness, dizziness, or a flu-like malaise).…”