EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR PATIENTS WITH PROLONGED FATIGUE ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AND FATIGUE COMPLAINTS
Journal Title: International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health - Year 2008, Vol 21, Issue 3
Abstract
[b]Objectives[/b]: Complaints of prolonged fatigue are considered as a major health problem, as it can affect daily functioning and may lead to work disability. To increase knowledge about the effectiveness of interventions focussing on fatigued patients, a study was designed to evaluate an established training programme for patients with prolonged fatigue. [b]Materials and Methods: [/b]Eighteen patients who reported fatigue to be one of their major health complaints and who were suffering from functional impairments attended a training programme of six weeks, three times a week. The training consisted mainly of physical endurance training, relaxation therapy and breathing exercises in rest. At baseline, time- and frequency-domain measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and respiration rate measurements were recorded during rest and during recovery after bicycle exercise. Furthermore, fatigue complaints were assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS). These measurements were repeated at three weeks and six weeks from baseline. [b]Results: [/b]After three weeks, HRV increased significantly in rest - SDNN, i.e. standard deviation of normal beat-to-beat intervals (p = 0.02), very low frequency (p = 0.04) and low frequency (p = 0.04) - and showed a positive trend in the remaining HRV components. No significant HRV changes during recovery were found. Respiration rate decreased significantly after six weeks during rest (from 11.8, SD = 4.65 to 8.1, SD = 2.57 b×min-1) and during recovery (from 15.1, SD = 4.90 to 10.4, SD = 2.97 b×min-1). In all patients, CIS scores decreased after six weeks training (from 106, SD = 13.3 to 78, SD = 21.8, p = 0.001). [b]Conclusions:[/b] The results suggest that a six-week training programme has a beneficial effect on physiological and subjective parameters in patients with severe complaints of fatigue.
Authors and Affiliations
MARGOT JOOSEN, JUDITH SLUITER, CATELIJNE JOLING, MONIQUE FRINGS-DRESEN
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP154931
- DOI 10.2478/v10001-008-0025-9
- Views 90
- Downloads 0
ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS WITH VOCAL LOADING TEST IN OCCUPATIONAL VOICE DISORDERS: OUTCOMESBEFORE AND AFTER VOICE THERAPY
[b]Objective:[/b] To assess the usefulness of acoustic analysis with vocal loading test for evaluating the treatment outcomes in occupational voice disorders. [b]Methods: [/b]Fifty-one female teachers with dysphonia were...
The associations of work style and physical exercise with the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in nurses
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) in nurses, and to explore the association of work style and physical exercise with WMSD in this professional gro...
Effects of external loading on lumbar extension moment during squat lifting
Objectives: The main objective of this study has been qualitative investigation of the effects of external loading on the lumbar extension moment during squat lifting. Findings of this study may allow to determine the fa...
The impact of Balint work on alexithymia, perceived stress, perceived social support and burnout among physicians working in palliative care: a longitudinal study
Objectives: Physicians working with palliative patients have a substantial risk of emotional exhaustion because of their daily confrontation with suffering and death. Common concerns include alexithymia, high stress, low...
Seroprevalence of anti-HAV total antibodies among workers in wastewater treatment plants
Objectives: Data on high frequency of hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies for wastewater treatment staff is contradictory. Literature lacks data on the seroprevalence of antibodies to HAV (anti-HAV) among workers in waste...