The impact of energy modulation on physical functioning and fatigue severity among patients with ME/CFS.Jason L, Benton M, Torres-Harding S, Muldowney K., DePaul University, United States, Patient Educ Couns. 2009 Apr 6.
OBJECTIVE:
The energy envelope postulates that patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) will improve functioning when maintaining expended energy levels at the same level as available energy level.
METHODS:
Estimated weekly Energy Quotients were established by dividing expended energy level by perceived energy level and multiplying by 100. Two groups of patients were identified following participation in a non-pharmacologic intervention trial. Some were able to keep expended energy close to available energy and others were not successful at this task.
RESULTS:
Those who were able to stay within their energy envelope had significant improvements in physical functioning and fatigue severity.
CONCLUSION:
Findings suggest that helping patients with ME/CFS maintain appropriate energy expenditures in coordination with available energy reserves can help improve functioning over time.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS:
Health care professionals that treat patients with ME/CFS might incorporate strategies that help patients self-monitor and self-regulate energy expenditures.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19356884?ordinalpos=1&itool=Email.EmailReport.Pubmed_ReportSelector.Pubmed_RVDocSum