Symptom management for people with ME (myalgic encephalitis)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - physical functioning and mobility

Symptom management for people with ME/CFS

Physical functioning and mobility

Include strategies to maintain and prevent deterioration of physical functioning and mobility in the care and support plan of people with ME/CFS. These strategies may need to be carried out in small amounts and spread out throughout the day. Think about including the following:

• joint mobility
• muscle flexibility
• balance
• postural and positional support
• muscle function
• bone health
• cardiovascular health.

Assess at every contact people with severe or very severe ME/CFS or those with prolonged periods of immobility for:

• areas at risk of pressure ulcers
• deep vein thrombosis
• risk of contractures.

Give people with ME/CFS and their family or carers (as appropriate) information, advice and support on how to recognise and prevent possible complications of long-term immobility.

Give families and carers information, advice and support on how to help people with ME/CFS follow their care and support plan in relation to physical functioning and mobility. This may include:

• bed mobility
• moving from lying to sitting to standing
• transferring from bed to chair
• using mobility aids
• walking
• joint mobility
• muscle stretching
• muscle strength
• balance
• going up and down stairs

Reference:

1. NICE (October 2021). Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management