Effects of Acute Physical Activity in Patients With Exhaustion Disorder

Summary

A new stress-related diagnosis, Exhaustion disorder (ED), was introduced in the Swedish version of ICD-10 in 2005 and has since then increased rapidly. The condition is long-lasting and debilitating, characterized by considerable and persistent fatigue, insomnia, and impaired cognitive function. The diagnosis is still relatively unexplored and there is no consistent knowledge of, among other things, which interventions that work. Research indicates that physical activity can have positive effects on depression, anxiety, and stress. However, there is little knowledge today about the relationship between the dose of physical activity and stress-related illness. It is also not clear how physical activity can be used in the treatment of stress-related illness. The purpose of this project is to gain increased knowledge about the immediate physiological and psychological effects of physical activity for people with diagnosed ED. The project will investigate the psychological and physiological effects of two different intensities of physical activity in people with ED compared to healthy controls. The information from the study also aims to provide a basis for a second part of the project where treatment including physical activity is carried out with people with ED, in a randomized controlled design.

Conditions

• Exhaustion; Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Acute exercise low intensity

A 15-minute exercise on low intensity on a cycle ergometer. Immediately before, immediately after and 30 minutes after exercise participants will fill out questionnaires regarding feelings of fatigue, energy, anxiety and stress and measure saliva cortisol. Three times during the exercise, they will rate level of exertion (RPE) and feelings of distress on a VAS-scale. During the 24 hours following the exercise bout they will wear a heart rate strap and an accelerometer measuring heart rate variability and activity level. Twice during that time, once in the evening, and once in the morning after, participants will answer questionnaires regarding mood state.

BEHAVIORAL

Acute exercise moderate intensity

A 15-minute exercise on moderate intensity on a cycle ergometer. Immediately before, immediately after and 30 minutes after exercise participants will fill out questionnaires regarding feelings of fatigue, energy, anxiety and stress and measure saliva cortisol. Three times during the exercise, they will rate level of exertion (RPE) and feelings of distress on a VAS-scale. During the 24 hours following the exercise bout they will wear a heart rate strap and an accelerometer measuring heart rate variability and activity level. Twice during that time, once in the evening, and once in the morning after, participants will answer questionnaires regarding mood state.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Avonova Health AB

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Jenny Kling, Doctoral student, licensed psychologist, The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Victoria Blom

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Victoria Blom, Ass. prof. · The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

35 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-21

Primary Completion

2024-01-04

Completion

2024-01-04

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations