Inclusion criteria |
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(1) diagnosis of PPS according to the criteria of March of Dimes [1] |
(2) severe perceived fatigue (CIS-fatigue > = 35) [47] |
(3) age between 18 and 75 years |
(4) life-expectancy longer than one year |
(5) walking-ability at least indoors with or without a walking aid |
(6) ability to cycle on a cycle ergometer against a load of at least 25 Watt |
Exclusion criteria |
(1) use of psychotropic drugs or other psychiatric treatment |
(2) clinical depression (BDI-PC > 6) [48] |
(3) disabling co-morbidity interfering with the intervention programs or influencing outcome parameters (including cardiopulmonary disease, epileptic seizures, poorly regulated diabetes mellitus) |
(4) respiratory insufficiency (FVC < 50%pred or CO2 retention) or assisted ventilation |
(5) cognitive impairment |
(6) insufficient mastery of the Dutch language |
(7) pregnancy |