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Title
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Can pacing self-management alter physical behavior and symptom severity in chronic fatigue syndrome? A case series
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Author
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Abstract
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| Given the lack of evidence in support of pacing self-management for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), we examined whether physical behavior and health status of patients with CFS Would improve in response to a pacing self-management program. We performed an observational study of pacing self-management in seven CFS patients using a single-case study design. Stages A1 and A2 (7-day assessment periods) of the A1-B-A2 design corresponded to the baseline and posttreatment measurements of physical behavior (real-time activity monitoring) and health status (self-reported measures), respectively. Stage B (3 weeks of treatment) consisted of three individual treatment sessions of pacing self-management. When comparing pre- versus posttreatment data, we found that the patients' ability to perform daily activities and the severity of their symptom complexes were improved (p = 0.043). Concentration difficulties, mood swings, muscle weakness, and intolerance to bright light improved as well. A statistically significant decrease in the mean time spent doing light activity (<3 metabolic equivalents) was observed, but a change in the way physical activity was spread throughout the day was not. We found that 3 weeks of pacing self-management was accompanied by a modest improvement in symptom severity and daily functioning. The outcome of the present study calls for a randomized controlled clinical trial to examine the effectiveness of pacing self-management for people with CFS. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Journal of rehabilitation research and development. - Washington, D.C.
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Publication
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Washington, D.C.
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2009
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ISSN
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0748-7711
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DOI
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10.1682/JRRD.2009.01.0007
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Volume/pages
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46
:7
(2009)
, p. 985-996
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ISI
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000273443700010
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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Full text (open access)
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