This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Ickmans K, Clarys P, Nijs J, Meeus M, Aerenhouts D, Zinzen E, Aelbrecht S, Meersdom

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Ickmans K, Clarys P, Nijs J, Meeus M, Aerenhouts D, Zinzen E, Aelbrecht S, Meersdom G, Lambrecht L, Pattyn N. Association between cognitive performance, physical fitness, and physical activity level in women with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013;50(6):XX–XX. http://dx.doi.org/10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0156

Slideshow ProjectDOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.08.0156JSP

Association between cognitive performance, physical fitness, and

physical activity level in women with chronic fatigue syndrome

Kelly Ickmans, PT, MSc; Peter Clarys, PE, BR Sc, PhD; Jo Nijs, PT, PhD; Mira Meeus, PT, PhD; Dirk Aerenhouts, PE, PhD;

Evert Zinzen, PE, PT, PhD; Senne Aelbrecht, PE; Geert Meersdom, MN; Luc Lambrecht, MD, PhD;

Nathalie Pattyn, MD, PhD



• Aim– Examine whether cognitive performance, physical

fitness, and physical activity level (PAL) are associated in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

• Relevance– Physical activity may be directly related to cognitive

performance in CFS patients but this relationship has not been previously examined.



Method• Participants (31 female CFS patients and 13

healthy inactive female controls) wore an activity monitor for 72 h and performed: – 3 cognitive tests (Stroop, psychomotor vigilance

task, operation span task).– Maximal handgrip strength test.– Bicycle ergometer test.



Results

• CFS patients:– Lower peak oxygen uptake and peak heart rate

associated with slower psychomotor speed.– Maximal handgrip strength correlated with working

memory performance.– Lower choice and simple reaction time.



Conclusion

• Physical fitness, but not PAL, is associated with cognitive performance in female CFS patients.

Documents

This article and any supplementary material should be cited as follows: Ickmans K, Clarys P, Nijs J, Meeus M, Aerenhouts D, Zinzen E, Aelbrecht S, Meersdom