Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Exercise. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome get used to a very low level of activity, a fact that triggers muscle disuse and atrophy (wasting) and further worsens the clinical picture. Taking part in short periods of individually adapted aerobic exercise improves the overall symptomatology of the syndrome. Highly personalised attempts can be made to carry out physical exercise, while progressing very gently by increasing the intensity but never forcing even a minimal overexertion. A small overexertion could worsen the condition. Recommended activities are walking for short, intermittent periods of 15 – 20 minutes alternated with equivalent rest periods and doing gentle activity in a heated swimming pool (32 °C), particularly if it is a chlorine-free pool.

Emotional support. Chronic fatigue syndrome can have many consequences for the patient, such as feelings of anger, fear, despair, depression or anxiety. Specifically, unfavourable behaviours which entail a poor adaptation to stress and therefore intensify the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychological advice can help the patient to assimilate all of these feelings and therefore cope with their illness as best as possible.

This type of therapy can be conducted individually or in groups and should address different issues: to find alternative explanations for your symptoms; to restructure any misconceptions or incorrect beliefs about the condition; to help manage stressful or difficult situations better; to modify the patient’s expectations so they are more realistic; to learn techniques focused on improving your attention and concentration; to improve self-control and relaxation techniques; to take on a more active role and avoid excessive rest or inactivity and it is also important to promote planned activities that stimulate the retentive memory and improve mental concentration.

Many of these activities are carried out in self-help groups or through patient or professional associations.