Fatigue is a debilitating symptom of many chronic illnesses. Because of pain, discomfort, and chronic fatigue, people with chronic illnesses often decrease their activity levels. There is often a vicious cycle that can prevent a person from participating in a regular exercise program. A person will avoid exercise because of pain, discomfort, or fatigue. However, a review of research by this author has shown that mild to moderate exercise, for as little as 10 to 15 minutes a day, can improve a person’s activity level and reduce fatigue and some pain.
Carson, C., Lasker-Hertz, S., & Stanfill-Edens, P. (2002). Exercise guide for cancer patients. Retrieved October 28, 2008, from http://www.healthonecares.com/CustomPage.asp?guidCustomContentID={5739D600-6266-4BD7-BF30-13F045CB45AA}
2.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ( 2008). Managing activity and exercise. Retrieved October 18, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfstreatment.htm
3.
Coy, V., Cross, C., & Fritz, R. ( 2004, May). Initiating exercise in adults with chronic illness . Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=5430&nrb=003724&string=exercise
4.
A chronic illness revelation: You’re not lazy, you’re sick. ( 2008, March 13). Retrieved October 28, 2008, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/643599/a_chronic_illness_revelation_youre.html?cat=5
5.
Deenadayalan, Y. ( 2007, September 21). Chronic fatigue syndrome: Exercise therapy . Nursing & Allied Health Source. Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://proquest.umi.com.proxy.kumc.edu:2048/pqdweb?index+271&sid+1&srchmode=1&vinst+P
6.
DiStasio, S. ( 2008). Integrating yoga into cancer care. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 12, 125-130.
7.
Doan, D. ( 2008, April 15). Top five reasons to exercise if you have a chronic illness. Retrieved October 2, 2008, from: http://www.gilberguide.com/2008/04/22/is-exercise-or-rest-better-for-patients-with-cancer-or-chronic-illness/
Exercise to help manage chronic pain and/or fatigue. (2005). Retrieved October 18, 2008, from http://www.warrelatedillness.va.gov/docs/exercise-to-manage-pain.pdf
10.
Health benefits of yoga. (2008). Retrieved February 7, 2009, from http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga?page=3
11.
Johnson, C. ( 2005). The fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome-is it central? Retrieved February 8, 2009, from http://www.phoenix-cfs.org/Central%20FatigueCFS.htm
12.
LeWine, H. ( 2004, April 6). Chronic fatigue syndrome: When exercise makes you feel worse. Retrieved November 2, 2008 , from http:// www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIH000/35320/35322/378080. html?d=dmtHMSContent
13.
Lorig, K., Holman, H., Sobel, D., Laurent, D., Gonzalez, V., & Minor, M. ( 2006). Living a healthy life with chronic conditions. Boulder, CO: Bull.
14.
Luctkar-Flude, M., Grolll, D., Tranmer, J., & Woodend, K. ( 2007). Fatigue and physical activity in older adults with cancer: A systematic review of the literature. Cancer Nursing,30(5), E35-E45.
15.
Nauert, R. ( 2008). Strategy promotes exercise for individuals with chronic illness. Retrieved June 3, 2009, from http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/07/24/strategy-promotes-exercise-for-individuals-with-chronic-illness/2653.html
16.
Parks, R. ( 2007). Graded exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome. Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://www.webmd.com/chronicfatigue-syndrome/graded-exercise-for-chronic-fatigue-syndrome
17.
Preidt, R. ( 2008). Exercise combats fatigue. Retrieved February 6, 2009, from http://www.healthoneclinics.com/healthcontent.asp?form=1&page=/transfer/search/processSearchRequest&featureid=HGConsumerContent&siteid
18.
Raznik, S. ( 2008). How to successfully cope with a chronic illness. Retrieved February 7, 2009, from http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/861149/how_to_successfully_cope_with_a_chronic.html?singlepage=true&cat=5
19.
Schwartz, A., Mori, M., Gao, R., Mail, L., & King, M. ( 2001). Exercise reduces daily fatigue in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33, 718-723.
20.
Simoneau, M., Begin, F., & Teasdale, N. ( 2006). The effects of moderate fatigue on dynamic balance control and attentional demands. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation , 3, 22.
21.
The six "E’s" to helping manage your fatigue. (n.d.). Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://www.stoppain.org/fatigue/sep.html
22.
Smith, C. ( 2008). Healthy Canadians. Retrieved October 18, 2008, from http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca
23.
Stretching Exercises. (2006). New York State-Aging well. Retrieved from http://agingwell.state.ny.us/fitness/stretch/hamstrings.htm
24.
VanNess, J., Snell, C., & Stevens, S. ( 2000). A realistic approach to exercise for CFS patients. Retrieved October 2008 from http://www.cfids.org/archives/2000rr/2000-rr4-article02.asp
25.
van Weering, M., Vollenbroek-Hutten, M., Kotte, E., & Hermens, H. ( 2007). Daily physical activities of patients with chronic pain or fatigue versus asymptomatic controls. A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 21, 1007-1023.
26.
Your lifetime exercise plan. (2007, June). Consumer Reports on Health, 19, 8-9. Retrieved June 18, 2008, from http://proquest.umi.com.proxy.kumc.edu:2048/pqdweb?index=393&sid=1&srchmode=1&vinst=P
