Effects of Acute Physical Activity in Patients With Exhaustion Disorder

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.