Workwell Foundation

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

Notable people

 * Staci Stevens: Founder
 * Christopher Snell: Scientific Advisory Committee Chair
 * Daniel Peterson: Medical Supervisor
 * Mark VanNess: Scientific Advisory Committee Member
 * Todd Davenport: Scientific Advisory Committee Member

Notable studies

 * Discriminative validity of metabolic and workload measurements to identify individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
 * Diagnostic accuracy of symptoms characterising chronic fatigue syndrome
 * Post-exertional malaise in women with chronic fatigue syndrome
 * Conceptual model for physical therapist management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
 * Exercise capacity and immune function in male and female patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Exercise recommendations for ME/CFS
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.

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
 * 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
 * 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
 * This approach utilises objective measures such as VO2 max testing and heart rate monitoring to guide the level of activity suitable for the individual

2018, The Workwell Foundation release an open letter to healthcare providers, detailing their concerns about GET.

Talks and Interviews

 * Video: Post-exertional malaise: How to do more with less, Staci Stevens, Vancouver BC Canada, May 2015
 * Video: A Realistic Approach to Exercise and Rehabilitation in ME/CFS, Mark VanNess, Bristol UK, Feb 2014
 * Video: Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise Test (CPET), Workwell Foundation, Mar 2014

Online presence

 * PubMed
 * Twitter
 * Facebook
 * Website
 * YouTube

Learn more

 * Busted! Exercise study finds exercise production system is broken in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Cort Johnson, Jul 2013
 * Functional outcomes of anaerobic rehabilitation in a patient with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Case report with 1-year follow up, Workwell Foundation, Dec 2015
 * When working out doesn't work out, Workwell Foundation, Apr 2014
 * A realistic approach to exercise for CFS patients, Workwell Foundation, Apr 2014