Design and validation of an energy level diary for fatigue management in patients with post-COVID syndrome.
Maryam Balke, René Garbsch, Jessica Cormann and 3 others
PMID 40761505WHAT IT FOUND
A new diary tracking energy levels, not just fatigue, successfully mapped daily fluctuations in post-COVID patients.
It showed active therapies drain energy while passive ones restore it, offering a practical tool for pacing rehabilitation without overexertion.
Key findings
01The diary detected significant daily energy drops and overnight recovery, with morning energy levels significantly higher than evening levels.
02Active therapies reduced energy levels by approximately 5%, while passive therapies increased them by approximately 5%, and cognitive therapies reduced them by approximately 2%.
03Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was the largest energy drain, reducing energy levels by approximately 20%.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study only tracked energy during the rehabilitation day and overnight, not during evenings, weekends, or after discharge, so it does not show how the tool works in daily life outside the clinic. The control group of coronary artery disease patients was small (11 patients) and not directly comparable in terms of rehabilitation intensity. Energy levels did not show a statistically significant overall improvement from admission to discharge, suggesting the diary captures fluctuations rather than long-term recovery in this timeframe.
Declared interests
The authors declare no competing interests.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this diary proves a treatment cures post-COVID fatigue. It is a monitoring tool that helps manage energy expenditure. The study did not show that using the diary led to better long-term health outcomes, only that it accurately reflected daily energy changes during therapy.