Andrew
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I responded to this article. I would have said more, but they only allowed up to 1000 characters in my response.
.In a Feb. 17, 2011 article, Denise Mann states that exercise is safe and effective for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). She describes CFS as severe, debilitating fatigue, pain, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms that last for six months or longer.
This is not the illness studied in the PACE trial she cites. In the United Kingdom a CFS diagnosis only requires ongoing physical and mental fatigue. Thats idiopathic chronic fatigue (ICF), not CFS. We dont know which subjects had real CFS and whether they improved. Also, the PACE study published no information about dropouts, which is where we find information about bad reactions.
Mann also quotes Nancy Klimas, M.D, an internationally known CFS expert. But Mann fails to mention that Klimas advises against standard types of exercise. Also, Klimas recommends lab testing to establish individualized thresholds. Without this information, readers will assume Klimas endorses exercise as it is generally understood. She does not.
I think your article could cause harm. I suggest you report on what Dr. Klimas actually recommends about exercise, and clarify the questionable relevance of the PACE study