isometric exercise – American ME and CFS Society

Changes in circulating microRNA after recumbent isometric yoga practice by patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an explorative pilot study

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Yoga is a representative mind-body therapy. Our previous studies have demonstrated that isometric yoga (i.e. yoga programs that we developed so individuals can practice yoga poses with a self-adjustable isometric load) reduces the fatigue of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS); however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Several studies have suggested that the micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA) expression of ME/CFS patients is different from that of healthy subjects. However, it has not to date been determined if the practice of isometric yoga can affect miRNA expression. Therefore, we sought to investigate if isometric yoga is associated with changes in the expression levels of serum miRNA of patients with ME/CFS.

METHODS: The study included nine patients with ME/CFS who failed to show satisfactory improvement after at least 6 months of treatment administered at our hospital. Patients practiced recumbent isometric yoga for 3 months; they met with a yoga instructor every 2 to 4 weeks and participated in daily in-home sessions. The effect of recumbent isometric yoga on fatigue was assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention scores on the Japanese version of the 11-item Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ 11). Patient blood samples were drawn pre- and post-intervention, just prior to practicing recumbent isometric yoga with an instructor. The serum was used for miRNA array analysis with known human miRNAs.

RESULTS: The average CFQ 11 score decreased significantly (from 25.3 ± 5.5 to 17.0 ± 5.8, p < 0.0001) after practicing recumbent isometric yoga for 3 months. The miRNA microarray analysis revealed that four miRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 42 were downregulated after the intervention period.

CONCLUSIONS: This explorative pilot study is the first to demonstrate changes in the serum levels of several miRNAs after regular practice of recumbent isometric yoga. These miRNAs might represent biomarkers for the fatigue-relieving effects of isometric yoga of patients with ME/CFS.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) 000023472. Registered Aug 4, 2016.

Source: Takakura S, Oka T, Sudo N. Changes in circulating microRNA after recumbent isometric yoga practice by patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an explorative pilot study. Biopsychosoc Med. 2019 Dec 2;13:29. doi: 10.1186/s13030-019-0171-2. eCollection 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31827600

Fibromyalgia and related conditions: electromyogram profile during isometric muscle contraction

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate electromyogram (EMG) profiles in patients with three related conditions: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression.

METHODS: We studied 44 healthy volunteers, 22 patients with fibromyalgia, 11 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, and 10 patients admitted for depression. The trapezius electromyogram was recorded during maximally sustained, bilateral, 90 degrees abduction of the shoulders. EMG signal frequency and amplitude were measured throughout the test.

RESULTS: In the fibromyalgia group, isometric contraction duration was significantly shorter than in the other two patient groups (P<0.001) and the EMG frequency and amplitude pattern indicated premature discontinuation of the muscle contraction. Findings in the chronic fatigue patients were similar to those in the healthy controls. The patients with depression had a distinctive EMG profile characterized by excessive initial motor-unit recruitment with a shift in the frequency spectrum.

CONCLUSIONS: Fibromyalgia was associated with a specific EMG pattern indicating premature discontinuation of the muscle contraction. Therefore, maximal voluntary muscle contraction tests may be of limited value for assessing function in fibromyalgia patients. Chronic fatigue syndrome patients had similar EMG findings to those in the healthy controls. The EMG alterations in the patients with depression were consistent with manifestations of psychomotor retardation.

Source: Maquet D, Croisier JL, Dupont C, Moutschen M, Ansseau M, Zeevaert B, Crielaard JM. Fibromyalgia and related conditions: electromyogram profile during isometric muscle contraction. Joint Bone Spine. 2010 May;77(3):264-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2010.02.003. Epub 2010 Apr 22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20417143

Decreased postexercise facilitation of motor evoked potentials in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or depression

Abstract:

We studied the effects of exercise on motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in 18 normal (control) subjects, 12 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, and 10 depressed patients. Subjects performed repeated sets of isometric exercise of the extensor carpi radialis muscle until they were unable to maintain half maximal force.

MEPs were recorded before and after each exercise set and for up to 30 minutes after the last set. The mean amplitude of MEPs recorded from the resting muscle immediately after each exercise set was 218% of the mean pre-exercise MEP amplitude in normal subjects, 126% in chronic fatigue patients, and 155% in depressed patients, indicating postexercise MEP facilitation in all three groups. The increases in the patient groups, however, were significantly lower than normal.

The mean amplitudes of MEPs recorded within the first few minutes after the last exercise sets in all three groups were approximately half their mean pre-exercise MEP amplitudes. This postexercise MEP depression was similar in all groups. We conclude that postexercise cortical excitability is significantly reduced in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and in depressed patients compared with that of normal subjects.

Source: Samii A, Wassermann EM, Ikoma K, Mercuri B, George MS, O’Fallon A, Dale JK, Straus SE, Hallett M. Decreased postexercise facilitation of motor evoked potentials in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome or depression. Neurology. 1996 Dec;47(6):1410-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8960719