Repeated Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing of ME/CFS Patients, 2025, Hodges

[SNT Gatchaman]

Repeated Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing of ME/CFS Patients
Hodges, Lynette

Post-exertional malaise is a cardinal symptom present in 95% of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS). Repeated cardiopulmonary exercise testing has been momentous in revealing that the physiological systems of those with ME/CFS are impaired or damaged and do not respond to exercise/physical activity like those without the condition. The 24-h repeated exercise test may demonstrate a reduction in peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak), VO2 at ventilatory threshold, power output at both peak and ventilatory threshold, along with a reduction/diminished maximal heart rate commensurate with chronotropic intolerance.

In this chapter, I describe the process and methods of repeated cardiopulmonary exercise testing, used to assess exercise tolerance in individuals with ME/CFS.

Link | PDF (SpringerLink) [Paywall]

 

[Hutan]

Another New Zealand researcher, based out of Massey University.

Post-exertional malaise is a cardinal symptom present in 95% of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).

That's an unusual claim.

It's good to see this documentation of procedures. Hopefully it facilitates standardisation and incremental improvement. I'm interested to know if it addresses the issue of managing non-test exertion before and between the 2 tests.

 

[Nightsong]

The reference for the 95% is this Jason paper.

It does address nontest exertion in a limited way, building in a day of between-test rest. Before the 1st test the participant advice includes "avoid exercise for at least 24 h prior to testing and in between testing sessions" and "plan to have someone drive you to and from the test". Between tests the participant advice contains "Drink plenty of fluids. . . Eat frequent light healthy snacks"; "Stretch muscles frequently. . . Take a warm shower or bath and stretch when the muscles are warm and flexible"; "Plan to rest until recovered". It also suggests that participants "if required bring a wheelchair or cane for assistance".

 

[Utsikt]

"Stretch muscles frequently. . . Take a warm shower or bath and stretch when the muscles are warm and flexible";

Stretching was terrible for me, especially when I was exercising because of gaslighting. And it completely ignores the temperature sensitivities that are explicitly mentioned in the CCC.

Plan to rest until recovered

Good luck recovering in one day in between..