MeSci
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1742395317746470
Energy envelope maintenance among patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Implications of limited energy reserves
Kelly O'connor(1), Madison Sunnquist(1), Laura Nicholson(1),
Leonard A Jason(1), Julia L Newton(2), Elin B Strand(3)
1 Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago,
IL, USA.
2 Newcastle University, Tyne and Wear, UK.
3 Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
Objective
The Energy Envelope Theory of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome postulates that individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome may experience some increase in functioning if their level of exertion consistently remains within the limits of their available energy. Findings of several studies support this theory; however, the current study is the first to explore how an individual's initial level of available energy may influence the relation between energy envelope maintenance and level of functioning.
Method
The functioning, activity, and symptomatology of six groups of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome were compared. Groups were created based upon level of available energy (higher or lower) and energy envelope adherence (underextended, within, overextended).
Results
Results indicate that, as expected, individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome who had higher available energy also had better functioning than individuals with lower available energy; however, this relation was less pronounced for individuals who were overexerting themselves.
Discussion
These results are consistent with the Energy Envelope Theory, and they suggest that overexertion was particularly impactful for individuals with higher levels of available energy.
Keywords: Myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, energy envelope, pacing, energy
Energy envelope maintenance among patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: Implications of limited energy reserves
Kelly O'connor(1), Madison Sunnquist(1), Laura Nicholson(1),
Leonard A Jason(1), Julia L Newton(2), Elin B Strand(3)
1 Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago,
IL, USA.
2 Newcastle University, Tyne and Wear, UK.
3 Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Abstract
Objective
The Energy Envelope Theory of myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome postulates that individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome may experience some increase in functioning if their level of exertion consistently remains within the limits of their available energy. Findings of several studies support this theory; however, the current study is the first to explore how an individual's initial level of available energy may influence the relation between energy envelope maintenance and level of functioning.
Method
The functioning, activity, and symptomatology of six groups of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome were compared. Groups were created based upon level of available energy (higher or lower) and energy envelope adherence (underextended, within, overextended).
Results
Results indicate that, as expected, individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome who had higher available energy also had better functioning than individuals with lower available energy; however, this relation was less pronounced for individuals who were overexerting themselves.
Discussion
These results are consistent with the Energy Envelope Theory, and they suggest that overexertion was particularly impactful for individuals with higher levels of available energy.
Keywords: Myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, energy envelope, pacing, energy
Last edited: