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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Background: This study aimed at assessing the effects of a
self-regulation-based brief physical activity program for
patients suffering from unexplained chronic fatigue, the “4-
STEPS to control your fatigue program”.
Method: A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted.
Adult patients meeting the CDC criteria for idiopathic chronic
fatigue were randomized to either the control condition (standard
care) or the intervention condition (4-STEPS). The 4-STEPS
was based on self-regulation principles and consisted of motivational
interviewing and self-regulation skills training. All patients
were assessed at baseline and post-treatment (12 weeks) for
fatigue severity (primary outcome) and impact, physical activity
(leisure time physical activity, number of daily steps and personal
activity goal progress), health-related quality of life, somatic
distress and psychological distress (depression and anxiety).
Results Ninety-one patients (45 intervention and 46 control
patients) received the allocated intervention. At post-treatment,
statistical analysis revealed a significant difference for subjective
experience of fatigue (4.73 points; g=0.51) in favour of the
intervention group. Mixed design ANCOVAs showed a significant
effect of the 4-STEPS on fatigue severity, leisure time
physical activity, personal activity goal progress and healthrelated
quality of life. No significant effects were found for
number of daily steps and somatic and psychological distress.
Conclusion: The 4-STEPS program has significant beneficial
effects at post-treatment. This brief self-regulation-based intervention
looks promising for the management of unexplained
chronic fatigue.
Description
Keywords
Chronic fatigue Randomized controlled trial Physical activity Self-regulation
Citation
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 22, 187-196
Publisher
Springer