The holistic effects of long-term exercise, health education, and resource assistance on one woman with multiple debilitating medical problems: a case report.

This interventional case study describes the effects of a 3-component program on one woman with multiple, serious medical problems. The program was anchored with exercise accompanied by health education and resource help, and it lasted from fall 1998 until spring 2007. The patient was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and depression. The program was conducted 3, and for a period of time, 5 days per week for approximately 60 minutes per session. Results from fitness testing, psychosocial measurements, and the subject's feedback suggest that the exercise, health education, and resource help combined to produce a positive effect on selected fitness variables, psychosocial factors, and everyday functioning. Most important, the program impact appears to have had a holistic effect on numerous symptoms related to this patient's medical problems as well as functional improvement.