Pacing Activity Self-management for Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Pacing Activity Self-management for Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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.
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.