Tutorial presented by Rachel Wallbank, Occupational Therapist and COVID Rehabilitation Team AHP Lead, CAVUHB.
In this tutorial, Rachel introduces the importance of pacing in Long COVID.
The Importance of Pacing in Long COVID
In Long COVID, individuals are more likely to experience post-exertional malaise, where a seemingly small amount of activity can leave an individual with disproportionate levels of fatigue, and a feeling of set back in their recovery.
Pacing is the regulation of activity levels to minimise overexertion; by establishing a baseline level of activity that they are able to achieve every day without adverse effects, and then very slowly building on that level of activity over time, should help minimise the ‘boom and bust’ cycles.
To discuss pacing with your patients, help them to identify all the physical, cognitive and emotional tasks that they do, encourage them to prioritise the activities that they need to do, balance tasks they want to do, and then spread these activities over the day and week. This will help the patient to manage their energy levels and ensure their recovery continues without set backs.
For more information about pacing, check out the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (linked below) who have some excellent resources about pacing.
The Importance of Pacing in Long COVID
Tutorial presented by Rachel Wallbank, Occupational Therapist and COVID Rehabilitation Team AHP Lead, CAVUHB.
In this tutorial, Rachel introduces the importance of pacing in Long COVID.
In Long COVID, individuals are more likely to experience post-exertional malaise, where a seemingly small amount of activity can leave an individual with disproportionate levels of fatigue, and a feeling of set back in their recovery.
Pacing is the regulation of activity levels to minimise overexertion; by establishing a baseline level of activity that they are able to achieve every day without adverse effects, and then very slowly building on that level of activity over time, should help minimise the ‘boom and bust’ cycles.
To discuss pacing with your patients, help them to identify all the physical, cognitive and emotional tasks that they do, encourage them to prioritise the activities that they need to do, balance tasks they want to do, and then spread these activities over the day and week. This will help the patient to manage their energy levels and ensure their recovery continues without set backs.
For more information about pacing, check out the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (linked below) who have some excellent resources about pacing.
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