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

Last edited 11/2021 and last reviewed 11/2021

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:

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