Self-Reported Disablement in People Living With Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study, 2025, Graves

https://journals.lww.com/cptj/abstract/9900/self_reported_disablement_in_people_living_with.66.aspx

Research Report
Self-Reported Disablement in People Living With Long Covid and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Graves, Katie PT, DPT, DHSc1; Davenport, Todd E. PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, OCS1,2; Stevens, Staci MA2; Stevens, Jared MPH2; Van Ness, J. Mark PhD3

Author Information
1Department of Physical Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA

2Workwell Foundation, Santa Rosa, CA

3Department of Health and Exercise Sciences, College of Pacific, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA

Correspondence: Todd E. Davenport, PT, DPT, PhD, MPH, OCS, Department of Physical Therapy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211 (tdavenport@pacific.edu).

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal ():10.1097/CPT.0000000000000291, May 6, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/CPT.0000000000000291

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Abstract
Purpose:
Individuals with Long COVID and myalgic encephalomyelitis are characterized by post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE) that affects their daily functional abilities. The purpose of this study was to compare self-rated function and the associated burden of functioning in individuals with PENE associated with Long COVID and other causes.

Methods:
A secondary analysis was conducted of data collected from the initial validation study for the Post-exertional Malaise/Post-exertional Symptom Exacerbation Activity Questionnaire (PAQ). The sample was divided into two cohorts (SARS-COV-2 group and a No/Not Sure group). Descriptive statistics were calculated for each cohort. Independent sample t tests were performed on the continuous variables, and Pearson chi square tests were used to evaluate between cohort differences in frequencies of categorical data.

Results:
Of the 981 total survey responses, 675 were complete and available for analysis. A total of 178 indicated SARS-COV-2 infection as the precipitating factor for illness, and the remaining 495 indicated another precipitating factor or unknown. The most frequently self-selected “important” activities across both cohorts were “carry out my daily routine” (12.5%), “prepare meals” (9.8%), and “maintain employment for financial reward” (8.3%). Comparative analysis between groups revealed few statistically significant differences across all three functional scales.

Conclusions:
This study suggests similarities in impacts on self-reported function and the associated burden of achieving a meager level of functioning regardless of precipitating event for PENE. Results from this study may be used to design and adequately power future studies using the PAQ to measure health-related quality of life.