Workwell Foundation

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Workwell Foundation was founded by Staci Stevens and is based in Ripon, California, US. It specialises in two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test (2-day CPET) for people with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia and other fatiguing illnesses.

Notable people[edit | edit source]

Notable studies[edit | edit source]

Exercise recommendations for ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

Workwell Foundation recommends short periods (eg: 30 seconds) of analeptic exercise, with periods of rest which are 3-6 times longer than the period of exercise. The amount of exercise that the individual undertakes should be guided by VO2 max testing (or a safe heart rate threshold (generally 60% of maximum heart rate)), and the use of a heart rate monitor (both during exercise and to help with pacing) is recommended to ensure that the individual doesn't exceed their capacity. The Foundation also advises against aerobic exercise for people with ME/CFS.[7][8][9]

This approach to exercise differs from graded exercise therapy (GET) in several important ways:

  • There is no claim that the exercise program will cure the condition. The aim is to increase functional strength and flexibility, and to improve quality of life[8]
  • This program is based on a deep understanding of Post-exertional malaise (PEM), and the importance of staying within the energy envelope in order to not trigger PEM[7]
  • There is a recognition that any approach to exercise with people with ME/CFS must be carefully tailored to the individual. There is no one-size fits all[8]
  • This approach utilises objective measures such as VO2 max testing and heart rate monitoring to guide the level of activity suitable for the individual[9]

COVID-19 rehabilitation information[edit | edit source]

Open letters[edit | edit source]

Funding[edit | edit source]

Talks and interviews[edit | edit source]


Online presence[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Snell, Christopher R; Stevens, Staci R; Davenport, Todd E; VanNess, J Mark (October 31, 2013), "Discriminative Validity of Metabolic and Workload Measurements for Identifying People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", Physical Therapy (APTA), 93 (11): 1484-1492, doi:10.2522/ptj.20110368, PMID 23813081
  2. Davenport, Todd E; Stevens, Staci R; Baroni, Katie; VanNess, J Mark; Snell, Christopher R (January 6, 2011), "Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterising chronic fatigue syndrome", Disabil Rehabil, 33 (19–20): 1768-75, doi:10.3109/09638288.2010.546936, PMID 21208154
  3. VanNess, J Mark; Stevens, Staci R; Bateman, Lucinda; Stiles, Travis L; Snell, Christopher R (January 4, 2010), "Post-exertional malaise in women with chronic fatigue syndrome", J Womens Health (Larchmt), 19 (2): 239-244, doi:10.1089/jwh.2009.1507, PMID 20095909
  4. Davenport, Todd E; Stevens, Staci R; VanNess, J Mark; Snell, Christopher R; Little, Tamara (March 31, 2010), "Conceptual model for physical therapist management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis", Physical Therapy (APTA), 90 (4): 602-614, doi:10.2522/ptj.20090047, PMID 20185614
  5. Snell, Christopher R; VanNess, J Mark; Strayer, David R; Stevens, Staci R (2005), "Exercise capacity and immune function in male and female patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)" (PDF), In Vivo, 19 (2): 387-390, PMID 15796202
  6. VanNess, J. Mark; Snell, Christopher R.; Strayer, David R.; Dempsey, Line; Stevens, Staci R. (2003). "Subclassifying Chronic Fatigue Syndrome through Exercise Testing". Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 35 (6): 908–913. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000069510.58763.e8. ISSN 0195-9131.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 VanNess, J Mark; Snell, Christopher R; Stevens, Staci R (2000), "A Realistic Approach to Exercise for CFS Patients" (PDF), The CFS Research Review, 1 (4): 3–8
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Snell, Christopher R; VanNess, J Mark; Stevens, Staci R (2004), "When Working Out Doesn't Work Out" (PDF), The CFIDS Chronicle, 17 (3): 6
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 Stevens, Staci R; Davenport, Todd E (2010), "Functional Outcomes of Anaerobic Rehabilitation in a Patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: case report with 1-year follow-up" (PDF), Bulletin of the IACFS/ME, 18 (3): 93-98
  10. Physio for ME; Workwell Foundation; ME Association (May 2020). "Post Covid-19 Rehabilitation". Physiosforme. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  11. Stevens, Staci R; ME/FM Society of British Columbia (Canada) (May 24, 2015), Video: Post-exertional malaise: How to do more with less, Vancouver, BC, Canada
  12. VanNess, J Mark (February 5, 2014), Video: A Realistic Approach to Exercise and Rehabilitation in ME/CFS, Bristol Watershed, UK
  13. Workwell Foundation (March 17, 2014), Video: Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Test (CPET)
  14. Johnson, Cort (July 30, 2013), Busted! Exercise Study Finds Energy Production System is Broken in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome