Can Nurses Self-Assess Fatigue?: Implications for Nurse Leaders.

Objective: The aims of this study were to describe nurses' self-perceptions of fatigue and to examine nurses' acceptance of specific fatigue countermeasures.

Background: The work of nurses places them at a high risk of fatigue. Evidence suggests 75% to 80% of nurses in the United States experience high levels of fatigue.

The Physical Activity and Alzheimer's Disease (PAAD) Study: Cognitive outcomes.

Background: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease that degrades cognitive functioning and ultimately results in death. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease and, hence, the identification of preventative strategies is important. Physical activity (PA) is a behavioral intervention that holds promise with respect to delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Effects of exercise, patient education, and resource support on women with fibromyalgia: An extended long-term study.

This research examined whether a long-term, multi-component program positively affected physical fitness, pain and fatigue in seven women with fibromyalgia syndrome. These women lived independently in the community. They attended a university-based program 3 days per week, 1 hour per session, year-around for many years.

Motivating Mature Adults to be Physically Active.

As a population, middle-aged and older adults are not meeting national guidelines for exercise. The purpose of this study was to describe factors associated with exercise adherence in an 8-month program offered as part of a research study testing the effects of exercise on cognitive performance for persons with a family history of Alzheimer's disease (AD). After completion of the program, participants provided open-ended responses indicating their reasons for adhering to the exercise program, and they completed the Motives for Physical Activities Measure-Revised.

Fibromyalgia, Fibro Fog, and Exercise.

Fibro fog causes serious problems for those with fibromyalgia syndrome. The mechanisms that cause it have not been well identified. Since prescription medication and other conventional medical interventions have proven less than satisfactory, and while waiting for more investigational information, research suggests that exercise might be helpful.

Innovative Research Design Exploring the Effects of Physical Activity and Genetics on Cognitive Performance in Community-Based Older Adults.

Physical activity is predictive of better cognitive performance and lower risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) is a susceptibility gene for AD with the e4 allele being associated with a greater risk of AD. Cross-sectional and prospective research shows that physical activity is predictive of better cognitive performance for those at greater genetic risk for AD.

Exercise effects on two men with fibromyalgia syndrome: an update.

In 2007, an article was published in this journal about the effects of exercise on two older men with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This new article is an update on how exercise has affected them during a 4-year period since 2007. Results suggest that both these men still function at approximately the same levels (physically and psychosocially) as reported in 2007.

Intestinal permeability, moderate exercise, and older adult health.

This article proposes that inflammation leading to intestinal permeability (a leaky gut) may be responsible for numerous physical and mental abnormalities and associated functional decline. This may be especially true for elderly people, particularly involving the development of autoimmune disorders. In this regard, engagement in appropriate moderate exercise/physical activity can produce an anti-inflammatory effect and may have a powerful role to play as part of a holistic treatment for this potential problem.

Exercise, fibromyalgia, and fibrofog: a pilot study.

Background: This pilot study was designed to test the efficacy of a physical activity program for improving psychological variables and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) symptoms and to provide preliminary evidence regarding the effects on perceived cognitive symptoms and objectively measured cognitive performance by FMS patients.

Methods: Sixteen women diagnosed with FMS were randomly assigned to an 18-week physical activity program or to a control condition. Psychological measures, FMS symptoms, perceived cognitive function, objective measures of cognition, and walking capacity were assessed at baseline and posttest.

The holistic effects of long-term exercise, health education, and resource assistance on one woman with multiple debilitating medical problems: a case report.

This interventional case study describes the effects of a 3-component program on one woman with multiple, serious medical problems. The program was anchored with exercise accompanied by health education and resource help, and it lasted from fall 1998 until spring 2007. The patient was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and depression.

Exercise effects on two men with fibromyalgia syndrome.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an exercise program on physical fitness, psychosocial factors, and symptoms in two men with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). An interventional case study research design was used to collect data on physical fitness, psychosocial factors, and symptoms at intervals throughout a 14-month period. Raw scores and raw score averages, devoid of statistical manipulation, are presented to display real individual results.

Fibromyalgia, cognitive problems and independence: physical activity may be useful in home health care.

Home health care providers often deal with older clients who have cognitive deficits. Cognitive problems have a negative impact on independence. Certain chronic pain conditions present with cognitive dysfunction as a co-morbidity.

Fibromyalgia syndrome: the beneficial effects of exercise.

This article highlights positive outcomes for a convenience sample of six women (49-64 years of age) with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) who participated in an exercise program over 5 years. This group showed improvement with various FMS symptoms,fitness, and psychosocial factors early in the program, then showed further improvement as a result of adding new exercises to the protocol during the fourth and fifth years. Data suggest that certain people with FMS can improve their functional capacity with exercise over time, and move to even higher levels of physical function while aging and coping with FMS.

Exercise effects on interstitial cystitis: two case reports.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder condition. Because of a reported link between exercise and pain reduction, a case study analysis was conducted to explore exercise effects on IC. Exercise was provided 3 days per week for 6 months.

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

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.