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Understanding Fatigue After Daily Activities

This study, led by Dr. Lorna Paul, explores the mechanisms behind post-exertional fatigue in myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Post-exertional malaise is characterized by extreme fatigue following daily activities, affecting quality of life. We examine three key factors: Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis (HPA) function, autonomic functioning, and inflammatory response, both before and after cognitive tasks, cycling, and daily activities like vacuuming. By analyzing participant groups, including those with ME, MS, and recent breast cancer survivors, we aim to better understand immune responses to exercise and fatigue.

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Understanding Fatigue After Daily Activities

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  1. Understanding Fatigue After Daily Activities Dr Lorna Paul, Physiotherapist Reader in Rehabilitation

  2. Fatigue after daily activities • Post-exertional fatigue is one of the main symptoms of ME • Lots of studies of exercise tests where people manage the exercise at the time but are not followed up for 24 or 48 hours later • Post-exertional fatigue/malaise not just after strenuous activity • Update of study funded by ME Association

  3. Purpose of the study • What goes wrong within the body which leads to post exertional malaise/fatigue in ME? • Examining three things 1) HPA function 2) autonomic functioning 3) inflammatory response • Examining these 3 things before and after 3 different tasks 1) cognitive task 2) cycling task 3) daily task (vacuuming)

  4. Participant Groups 4 groups of people – 30 people in each group • ME • MS • Post breast cancer (within one year of end of treatment) • Healthy controls

  5. Immunological response to exercise

  6. Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis (HPA axis)

  7. What is cortisol? Cortisol (or hydrocortisone) is • a steroid hormone • released in response to stress • increases blood sugar • suppresses the immune system • aids in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism

  8. Autonomic Function • The autonomic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system • It controls many systems subconsciously eg The ANS affects heart rate, breathing, digestion, perspiration, size of pupils • The hypothalamus ‘central control area’ for the autonomic nervous system • Split into sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems

  9. Immunological response to exercise

  10. Immune response Immune cells produce cytokines which would be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory

  11. Each person attends four times • Introduction and Induction • 3 ‘fatiguing’ tests • Computer based cognitive task • Submaximal exercise bicycle task • Standardised daily physical activity task (vacuuming)

  12. Computer based cognitive task - PASAT • Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test • The PASAT is a measure of cognitive function that assesses auditory information processing speed and flexibility, as well as calculation ability. • Single digits are presented every 3 seconds and the patient must add each new digit to the one immediately prior to it. • The PASAT is presented on CD to ensure standardisation

  13. Submaximal exercise bicycle task The Aerobic Power Index test is a submaximal exercise test on a static bicycle It consists of gradual increments in power output The test is stopped when people reach 75% of their predicted maximum heart rate (220-age)

  14. Standardised daily physical activity task (vacuuming)

  15. Outcome Measures – First visit • Basic demographic details – age, height, weight, medications • Questionnaires – eg. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) • Autonomic assessment

  16. Outcome measures – Autonomic regulation

  17. Outcome measures (cont) • Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring during and after the task • QuestionnairesSF36Checklist individual strength (CIS) - contains 20 items that measure 4 aspects of fatigue: 1. Subjective Fatigue; 2. Concentration; 3. Motivation; 4. Activity. • Physical activity monitoring (7 days between tests)

  18. Immunological markers - cytokines Bloods have been taken and frozen Still deciding on which cytokines to test Expensive tests to do!

  19. Lorna.Paul@glasgow.ac.uk 0141 330 6876

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