Exercise in Gulf War Illness (GWI)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to determine if submaximal exercise by bicycle stress tests with pulmonary measurement of VO2MAX plus maximal isometric hand grips on 2 consecutive days causes a higher level of exertional exhaustion in GWI compared to healthy veterans (HVets).

Detailed Description
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Subjects sat on upright bicycles for preexercise symptoms, respiratory gases, EKG, and vital sign measurements. Submaximal exercise began at low resistance with increases every 30 to 60 seconds until 70% predicted heart rate was reached by 5 minutes. Subjects maintained their pace until 25 minutes, then resistance was increased incrementally to increase to 85% predicted heart rate (approximately sufficient to reach anaerobic threshold). Symptoms, respiratory gases, EKG, and vital signs were measured every 5 minutes, at peak of exercise, and 5 minute intervals after exercise. The identical exercise protocol was used approximately 24 hr later. Secondary outcomes were assessed by comparisons from before exercise to after the second bicycle exercise stress test.

Official Title
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Exercise in Gulf War Illness (GWI)

Conditions
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Gulf War Illness, Persian Gulf Syndrome

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Submaximal bicycle exercise stress tests performed 24 hr apart


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Evidence of military enlistment between August 1, 1990 and July 31, 1991, and deployment for 30 consecutive days to: Persian Gulf waters and adjacent land areas Other global locations U.S. only Status prior to 1990 and 1991: Active duty National Guard Reserves Exclusion Criteria: Current active duty military personnel Any one who was not active duty military personnel between August 1, 1990 and July 31, 1991 HIV/AIDS; pregnancy or lactation; potential hepatitis; drug addiction; chronic inflammatory, infectious, or autoimmune medical illnesses not associated with GWI; incarceration; dementia, other cognitive limitation; or reliance on a care-giver in order to respond to the questionnaires and other study tests. Amputations of one or both hands and forearms will be permitted but hand grip tests will not be tested

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 38 Years
Maximum Age: 86 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| GWI<br>Veterans of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War who have autonomic, neurological and other symptoms | Diagnostic Test: Submaximal bicycle exercise stress tests performed 24 hr apart<br>* Submaximal bicycle exercise stress tests were performed for 25 min at 70% predicted heart rate, then ramped up to 85% predicted heart rate. Subjects could stop when they felt they had reached their maximum effort if before reaching 85% predicted heart rate.<br>|
| HC<br>Healthy veterans of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War | Diagnostic Test: Submaximal bicycle exercise stress tests performed 24 hr apart<br>* Submaximal bicycle exercise stress tests were performed for 25 min at 70% predicted heart rate, then ramped up to 85% predicted heart rate. Subjects could stop when they felt they had reached their maximum effort if before reaching 85% predicted heart rate.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| To assess the alterations due to exercise in Gulf War Veterans | Difference in duration of exercise between first and second submaximal bicycle exercise stress test | 02/2009-09/2012 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Persian Gulf War, Gulf War Syndrome, GWI, Gulf War Illness, Exercise, Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Veterans, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Migraine headaches, Neuropathy