Relationship between Cardiopulmonary, Mitochondrial and Autonomic Nervous System Function Improvement after an Individualised Activity Programme upon Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Sławomir Kujawski,Jessica Van Oosterwijck,Helen Dawes,Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe,Djordje Jakovljevic,On Behalf Of The European Network On Me/Cfs (Euromene) ,Katarzyna Buszko,Modra Murovska,Julia Newton,Joanna Słomko,Jo Cossington,Fernando Estevez-Lopez,Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska,Jacek Klawe,Mariusz Kozakiewicz,Lynette Hodges,Karl Morten,James Strong,Paweł Zalewski

doi:10.3390/jcm10071542

Abstract

Background: The therapeutic effects of exercise from structured activity programmes have recently been questioned; as a result, this study examines the impact of an Individualised Activity Program (IAP) on the relationship with cardiovascular, mitochondrial and fatigue parameters. Methods: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients were assessed using Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ), Fatigue Severity Score (FSS) and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). VO2peak, VO2submax and heart rate (HR) were assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels in plasma were assessed. A Task Force Monitor was used to assess ANS functioning in supine rest and in response to the Head-Up Tilt Test (HUTT). Results: Thirty-four patients completed 16 weeks of the IAP. The CFQ, FSS and FIS scores decreased significantly along with a significant increase in Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels (p = 0.002 and p = 0.00005, respectively). The relationships between VO2 peak and Mfn1 increase in response to IAP (p = 0.03) and between VO2 at anaerobic threshold and ANS response to the HUTT (p = 0.03) were noted. Conclusions: It is concluded that IAP reduces fatigue and improves functional performance along with changes in autonomic and mitochondrial function. However, caution must be applied as exercise was not well tolerated by 51% of patients.

Highlights

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition characterised by symptoms including chronic fatigue, disturbance in cognitive functions, autonomic dysfunction, pain, ineffective sleep and exercise intolerance [1,2]
Compliance rates for the structured exercise programme were above 60%, which was set as the threshold value
This study has noted a statistically significant increase in peak VO2, alterations in biological factors associated with mitochondria and fatigue in Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients who underwent an individualised home-based activity programme

Summary

Introduction

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complex condition characterised by symptoms including chronic fatigue, disturbance in cognitive functions, autonomic dysfunction, pain, ineffective sleep and exercise intolerance [1,2]. ANS function can be measured non-invasively using heart rate variability (HRV) [5,6], which differentiates between healthy and diseased states, and is associated with mortality [7]. Methods: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients were assessed using Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ), Fatigue Severity Score (FSS) and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). VO2 peak, VO2 submax and heart rate (HR) were assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing. A Task Force Monitor was used to assess ANS functioning in supine rest and in response to the Head-Up Tilt Test (HUTT). The CFQ, FSS and FIS scores decreased significantly along with a significant increase in

Methods

Results

Conclusion