Exercise aids fatigued ill

An Auckland University study of people with chronic fatigue syndrome has found exercise helps relieve symptoms of the condition.

Dr Rona Moss-Morris, a health psychologist in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, said there was a long-held belief among patients that exercise could increase symptoms.

But the study of 49 people found those who took part in a 12-week exercise programme were more likely to rate their health as improved - 68 per cent said the treatment was better or very much better than any other treatment they had received.

They reported being less mentally and physically fatigued and the gains were maintained six months later.

Only 24 per cent of the control group, who received standard medical care, said they had improved after the 12 weeks.

Dr Moss-Morris said people with chronic fatigue should slowly take on exercise and avoid doing too much on a good day and too little on a bad day. Consistency was key.

The research was published in the latest UK Journal of Health Psychology.