Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Exercise
(asked on 27th June 2019) - View Source
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure ME clinics and treatment centres are aware of the risks of graded exercises to sufferers of ME.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline for ‘Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) (or encephalopathy): Diagnosis and management of CFS/ME in adults and children’, was published in 2007 to support clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment, care and support of people with ME. This sets outs evidence-based best practice for the management of people with the condition and assists commissioners in planning services for local populations. The guideline recommended graded exercise therapy as a safe and appropriate treatment for mild to moderate CFS/ME, in line with the best available evidence.
The NICE guideline acknowledges that there is no one form of treatment to suit every patient and that treatment and care should take into account the personal needs and preferences of the patient. Decisions concerning the appropriateness of treatments should be made by on a case by case basis, and in discussion with patients, and their families or carer, if appropriate.
On 20 September 2017, NICE announced its decision to undertake a full update of the guideline following a review of the latest available evidence on the diagnosis and management of CFS/ME and a public consultation. New guidance is expected in October 2020. More information on this update can be found at the following link: