A successful, long-term exercise program for women with fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue and immune...

This article describes an ongoing, long-term clinical exercise program for women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), some of whom also have chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). The recorded outcomes from the most recent year of the program also are reported. Participants engaged in sessions lasting 50-70 minutes, 5 days per week; each session involved aerobic activity, resistance training, and other dynamic exercise. One group was in the program for 3 years and another group was in the program for 2 years. Program outcomes for the year (comparing beginning and end-of-year results) are presented for both groups on physical fitness, psychosocial, and FMS/CFIDS symptoms. The outcomes support that all of the women appear to have benefited from the program in numerous ways, suggesting that the program works. Also, those outcomes are in agreement with past research reported in this journal. Implications for clinical nurse specialists working with FMS/CFIDS patients are discussed.