Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Intravenous Saline Administration Improves Physical Functioning., Travis L. Stiles, Staci R. Stevens, Christopher R. Snell, Lucinda Bateman, J. Mark Vanness

J. Mark Van Ness

ABSTRACT Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) have diminished physical capacity that has been linked to low blood volume (hypovolemia) and abnormal sympathoadrenal activation. Intravenous saline administration could ameliorate these problems, thereby improving the work capacity in CFS. Purpose: This study investigates the effect of 1 L/day of 0.9% saline administration in a 37 yr old female with CFS. Methods: Primary outcome measures were based on cardiopulmonary responses during maximal exercise testing. A preliminary exercise test was performed prior to beginning saline administration. Follow-up exercise tests were conducted at 15, 55, 92, 125, 180, 248, 317, 420 and 675 days …