It's not overstating the fact to state that PACING is the singular most important management strategy for Long Covid, as well as other chronic fatigue related conditions. But what exactly is it, and how should we be doing it?
In this, episode 8 of our expert interviews series, Dr Asad Khan and I talk to an expert panel about the hows, whys and whens of pacing and how all of us could learn to do it better, avoid relapses and give ourselves the best possible chance of recovery.
The panel includes:
Prof. Todd Davenport, University of the Pacific, Dept of Physical Therapy
Sue Pemberton, Specialist Occupational Therapist - Yorkshire Fatigue Clinic
Darren Brown, Clinical Academic Physiotherapist - NHS
Ruth Ainley, Clinical Specialist Respiratory Therapist
REFERENCES:
Long COVID Physio resources:
https://longcovid.physio/resources
World Physiotherapy briefing paper on safe Long COVID rehabilitation approaches:
https://world.physio/sites/default/files/2021-06/Briefing-Paper-9-Long-Covid-FINAL.pdf
World Physiotherapy Day 2021 toolkit (all languages) :
https://world.physio/wptday/toolkit?lang=All&year=971&toolkit_type=All
World Physiotherapy Day 2021 toolkit information sheets (English):
https://world.physio/toolkit/world-pt-day-2021-information-sheets-english
Brief Educational Videos for Patients and Clinicians:
https://workwellfoundation.org/educational-videos/
One-Page Fact Sheets and Letters to Providers:
https://workwellfoundation.org/resources/#edmat
Resources for COVID Long Haulers:
https://workwellfoundation.org/resources/#covid
Presentations for Clinicians and Interviews:
https://workwellfoundation.org/resources/#presentations
Peer Reviewed Publications with Full Text Available:
https://workwellfoundation.org/resources/#presentations
Peer Reviewed Publications without Full Text:
https://workwellfoundation.org/resources/#presentations
Continuing Professional Education:
- Medbridge Education Module, Part 1 - Introduction and Identification: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/course-catalog/details/me-cfs-part-1-introduction-identification-todd-davenport-staci-stevens-mark-van-ness/
- Medbridge Education Module, Part 2 – Etiology and Analeptic Management: https://www.medbridgeeducation.com/course-catalog/details/me-cfs-etiology-analeptic-management-todd-davenport-staci-stevens-mark-van-ness/
CONTENTS:
0:00 Introduction
0:44 About the Panel
3:00 Darren's LC experience
5:45 What is Pacing?
9:24 Where does clinical help start?
17:10 What are the barriers to pacing?
20:40 The Energy Envelope
23:30 Heart Rate monitoring
31:40 The difficulties in practice
33:50 Good days and Bad days
37:55 Practical tips
42:50 What constitutes rest and how to do it
47:48 Conclusions