The timeline of post exertional malaise in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Sport and Exercise in Exercise Prescription and Training at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand
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Date
2018
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Massey University
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Abstract
PURPOSE: To investigate the timeline of post-exertional malaise (PEM) using objective and subjective measures in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The primary aim was to determine whether PEM extends beyond 24-hours, and if a 48-hour or 72-hour repeated exercise protocol would provide additional information as a diagnostic tool. The secondary aim was to analyse subjective patterns of fatigue during PEM.
METHODS: Sixteen ME/CFS and 16 age and gender matched controls participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to either a 48-hour or 72-hour repeated cardiopulmonary exercise test protocol on a cycle ergometer. Objective
measures were recorded at anaerobic threshold (AT), respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and maximal exercise. All ME/CFS participants recorded their subjective fatigue 7-days prior to and 10-days post exercise utilising the daily diary of fatigue.
RESULTS: Results from the 48-hour and 72-hour protocol indicated no decline in functional capacity in any group across days. There was a significant increase in workload and %VO2max at AT within the 72-hour ME/CFS group only. Subjective timelines of fatigue showed significant differences between the 48-hour and 72-hour protocol, with the 48-hour ME/CFS group taking significantly longer to recover (mean 11 days) than the 72-hour ME/CFS group (mean 5 days). Conversely, both control groups were recovered in less than a day. However, there was high variation across measures of subjective fatigue among ME/CFS participants.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study further support the use of 24-hour repeated protocols to determine functional decline during PEM. Results also provide new information regarding a potential improvement in function 72-hours after an initial exercise bout in ME/CFS. Subjective results indicate no identifiable pattern in relation to subjective fatigue during PEM. Future research should focus on a larger clinical trial to further understand the implications and consistency of the data from this study.
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Myalgic encephalomyelitis, Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Diagnosis, Chronic fatigue syndrome -- Symptoms, Exercise -- Physiological aspects, Exercise tests