View clinical trials related to Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic.
Filter by:Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition of unknown etiology. Recent studies have shown that CFS is associated with impaired cellular energetics and low levels of phosphocreatine. Since guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) acts as a highly bioavailable precursor of creatine it may provide an ideal dietary supplement to facilitate treatment and perhaps prevention of CFS. The overall hypothesis to be evaluated is that medium-term supplementation with GAA will improve clinical outcomes in well-defined adult CFS patients via augmented provision of creatine. Specific aims: (1) To determine the effects of GAA on CFS symptomatology using a fatigue severity inventory, soreness of locomotive apparatus scales, and a health-related quality of life survey; (2) To determine the effect of GAA on creatine metabolism using laboratory studies and magnetic resonance spectroscopy; (3) To characterize the physiological effects of GAA on work capacity via actigraphy and exercise performance tests; and (4); To determine the prevalence of subjectively reported side-effects and biochemical adverse events associated with GAA intervention.
The aim of this study is to examine if repetitive computerized cognitive training improves working memory in patients who are on sick leave due to complex symptom disorders (chronic pain, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression and or sleep disorders), and whether effects of cognitive control training transfer to other tasks.
Rationale: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a medically unexplained syndrome for which no somatic or pharmacological treatment has been proven effective. Dysfunction of the cytokine network has been suspected to play a role in the pathophysiology of CFS. Although derangements of the cytokine network in CFS are controversial, a major problem is that many studies did not use adequate controls. In addition, all studies have been performed on peripheral venous blood of the patients. As cytokines mainly act in the tissues, e.g., the brain, the information that can be derived from peripheral blood cells is limited. The only information regarding the possible role of cytokines in the pathophysiology of CFS could come from intervention studies in which pathogenetically important cytokines are inhibited. A potentially relevant cytokine which can be blocked in humans without severe side effects is IL-1. Although it is plausible that these cytokines play a role in CFS, there is limited evidence for this. Objective: To investigate the effect on symptomatology of interference with IL-1 in CFS patients. Study design: A randomized placebo controlled study will be performed to determine whether interference with IL-1 is able to reduce fatigue and disabilities in CFS patients. Study population: Female CFS patients without psychiatric co-morbidity will be included in this study. Patients of the outpatient clinic of the Department of General internal medicine and the Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue (ECCF) will be asked to participate in the study. Patients will be asked to bring a healthy neighbourhood control to their first study visit. Intervention: After inclusion patients will be randomized to receive one of the following treatments: - interleukin-1 inhibitor Anakinra (IL-1Ra) for 4 weeks (N=25); - placebo for 4 weeks (N=25). Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary outcome measure will be fatigue severity measured with the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS) at 4 weeks, measurement will be repeated up to 26 weeks. Secondary outcome measures will be: - level of functional impairment measured with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP8) total score; - physical and social functioning assessed with the subscale physical functioning and social functioning of the SF-36; - level of psychological distress assessed with the total score on the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90); - pain severity assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS); - cytokine measurement in blood (plasma and blood in Pax-gene tubes) and saliva (at protein and mRNA level); - cortisol measurement in saliva and hair; - microbiome determination in faeces; - body temperature and pulse rate.
Objectives: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a medically unexplained condition characterized by severe and disabling fatigue. To date much research has focused on finding out whether CFS is caused by mainly physical or psychological factors. Perhaps as a result of this, few studies have examined the relationship between CFS and quality of life, in particular, more positive aspects of mental health, such as an individual's sense of purpose, autonomy and close relationships. This study will address these limitations by examining Ryff's (1989) six domains of psychological well-being (PWB), and other aspects of well-being including positive emotions, in CFS. It will also examine the relationship between measures of symptomology, emotional distress and PWB. Method: This is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study with a clinical sample of adults with CFS. Participants will complete valid measures of well-being and symptomology. Results: We expect to find that compared to general population norms, individuals with CFS score lower on measures of PWB. Secondly, we expect PWB dimensions will be related to symptom measures. There are however, no grounds for making strong predictions. Implications: This study will advance our understanding of quality of life in CFS. Clinically, it has the potential to enrich and inform therapeutic interventions.
This study aims to improve on the delivery of treatment for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). People with CFS/ME have low energy. This interferes with doing everyday activities and has a major impact on quality of life. Energy management is a key aspect of treatment and involves patients building up their energy levels gradually. Their health professional finds out how much energy the patient uses daily so they can prescribe how much activity and rest is right for the patient. The prescription is adjusted throughout treatment. Over time, the patient learns the best way to "spend" and "preserve" energy. To begin treatment, patients record their activity levels on paper over a few weeks. Records need to be accurate, but this is often difficult because of problems with memory, concentration or low energy and pain. We have recently developed a new technology called ASARM ("Advanced Sleep Rest Activity and Rest Management") that records activity levels electronically and checks whether they match the activity prescription. The ASARM device is worn on the patient's wrist. It measures sleep, activity and rest, and has an electronic diary (a smartphone app) for recording daily activities. The health professional has remote access to the information and uses the app to change the prescription. This study will investigate if ASARM is (i) acceptable to patients; (ii) a good way to deliver Cognitive Behavioural therapy CBT treatment; (iii) able to improve their symptoms. Patients and clinicians will gain experience of ASARM for a short time, and we will analyse their data. Our findings will help us develop ASARM so that it can be used in routine care of CFS/ME patients.
This study will provide symptomatic veterans with acupressure treatment and determine its effectiveness in fatigue relief and pain management for Gulf War Illness (GWI). Investigators plan to recruit patients reporting symptoms of GWI through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and randomize them into acupressure group (to receive acupressure treatment) and control group (to receive Reiki treatment). The acupressure treatment, twice per week for 6 weeks, will be offered by a licensed acupressure practitioner. Evaluations will be made before and after treatment (at 6 weeks). Clinical outcomes will be compared between groups (acupressure group vs. control group) and between different timepoints (before treatment vs. after treatment) within the same group. The results of this study may provide useful information to develop more effective treatment for veterans with GWI disease. Since acupressure treatment is of Asian origin and has shown excellent promise within its Eastern traditions, if successful, this study has the potential to produce a paradigm shift in clinical practice to more effectively relieve the symptoms of veterans with GWI disease. Meanwhile, as a non-invasive therapeutic massage, acupressure may lend to better patient acceptance and ultimately, greater clinical accessibility. Hypotheses 1. Acupressure besides routine clinical care will produce a more complete fatigue relief and pain alleviation in veterans with GWI versus routine clinical care plus reiki treatment. 2. EEG measures will exhibit a positive change when fatigue is relieved and pain is alleviated for symptomatic veterans after effective treatment.
The main objective is evaluate to safety and efficacy of oral Reconnect ® (food supplementation composed by Coenzyme Q10, NADH, phosphoserine y vitamin C) on the maximum HR during an exercise test in CFS
The investigators wish to investigate whether enhancement of SWS, which is seen after a drug called sodium oxybate, reduces the impact of sleep disruption in CFS on daytime function, specifically sleepiness and mental performance. This is a safe and well-tolerated drug that is licensed for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy associated with narcolepsy. The investigators will study 12 patients diagnosed with CFS using international diagnostic guidelines. The investigators will record overnight sleep with EEG (brainwave) measurement on the 1st and 4th nights of a 4 night period during which sodium oxybate and placebo will be taken nightly, and the investigators will measure next-day sleepiness, mental performance and fatigue, and compare drug and placebo nights.
Pre-agricultural societies almost universally used healing ceremonies that involved reverence, rhythm and dance in the presence of a healer. It is believed that we are "wired" for such experiences and they foster an integrative mode of consciousness similar to that of mindfulness based stress reduction, which has been shown to have therapeutic effects in a variety of conditions. Collaborator Ava Lavonne Vinesett of the Duke Dance Program has developed a healing ceremony based in sub-Saharan African traditions. The investigators plan is to have 25 subjects with a variety of clinical conditions participate in this ceremony. Subjects will then be asked to write a commentary about their experience and to participate in a focus group discussion. It is anticipated that the study will give us some idea of how promising this approach would be and what kinds of patients might benefit. Safety issues are minimal and include the possibility of injury (though the dancing is not strenuous) and psychological distress.
The aim of the programme is to develop a treatment model for adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The program consists of 4 elements lasting for 12 months, psychoeducation reflecting the current knowledge about the disease, Heart Rate Variability Coherence Biofeedback, pacing and activity planning and some principles of cognitive behaviour therapy. The study is designed as a Single-Case study including 10- 15 participants.