Technology Assisted Solutions for the Recognition of Objective Physiological Indicators of Post-Coronavirus-19...
Covid19Post Viral FatiguePreliminary research from our group indicates that up to half of COVID-19 patients are experiencing symptoms consistent with severe fatigue a median of 10 weeks after their initial illness, while almost one third of those previously employed have not returned to work. At present, most clinical and research measurements of fatigue have relied upon self-reported perception of sensations such as exhaustion or weariness. Using such tools, there is an inherent challenge for clinicians in differentiating between patients who are experiencing fatigue at a psychosocial level, versus those who are actively physiologically and neurocognitively deconditioned. The TROPIC study will use our existing clinical expertise and technology assisted solutions to address features of post-COVID-19 fatigue by quantifying physiological signatures of adverse sequelae in adult patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19, who are now COVID-19 negative. Our suite of assessments will encompass four systems; physical deconditioning, orthostatic instability, neurocognitive deficits and respiratory sequelae. This will not only inform accurate objective diagnostics of post-COVID-19 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but will also guide clinicians in directing the most appropriate therapeutic interventions with maximum efficacy and specificity, bringing not only patient-related but also health system and economic benefits.
Analysis of Post-exertional Malaise Using a Two-day CPET in People With ME/CFS
Myalgic EncephalomyelitisChronic Fatigue SyndromeThis study aims to collect and identify key outcome measures or disease parameters in ME/CFS that are altered during elevated symptoms relative to baseline by gathering information before and after symptom provocation using a two-day cardiopulmonary exercise test.
Developing an Activity Pacing Framework: Feasibility and Acceptability
Chronic PainFibromyalgia2 moreThis study explores whether it is feasible to use a newly developed activity pacing framework to standardise how activity pacing is instructed by healthcare professionals in rehabilitation programmes for patients with chronic pain/fatigue.
POTS-CFS Study: Orthostatic Intolerance in the Context of Pediatric ME/CFS
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in AdolescencePostural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome1 morePilot-case-control study on exertion and orthostatic intolerance of adolescents with myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) compared to age-matched healthy controls (HC).
Glucocorticoid Effects on Cellular Cytokine Release
Depressive DisorderFatigue Syndrome4 moreA variety of hormones and immune system processes are responsible for how the body responds to illness. This study concentrates on how the hormone cortisol effects the release of immune system factors called cytokines. Cortisol is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands as a response to stimulation from the pituitary gland. Abnormal levels of cortisol have been seen in several diseases such as depression and multiple sclerosis. Cytokines are factors produced by certain white blood cells. They act by changing the cells that produce them (autocrine effect), altering other cells close to them (paracrine), and effecting cells throughout the body (endocrine effect). Cytokines are important in controlling inflammation processes. In this study researchers would like to determine if changes in levels of hormones in the blood are associated with changes in cytokine levels. In addition, researchers would like to learn more about how cytokines respond to hormones in certain diseases.
Immune Patterns in Pain Patients DSM-IV
Somatoform DisordersFibromyalgia4 moreThe purpose of this study is to define subgroups of patients with somatoform disorders due to DSM-IV by immunological, psychological and genetic characterization.
MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Pain Intensity in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)MicroRNAs were shown to play an important role in regulating pain-processing in a wide range of experimental models and clinical pain disorders. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate a set of Micro-RNAs as diagnostic biomarkers of pain intensity in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and to correlate with inflammatory markers and pain related comorbidities.
Inspiratory Muscle Training in ME/CFS and COVID-19 Survivors
Myalgic EncephalomyelitisPost-acute COVID-19 SyndromeCoronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) is a viral disease leading to respiratory dysfunction, but it may also affect the brain and result in the development of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). This may be the result of the COVID-19 virus infecting regions of the brain responsible for respiratory control. The symptoms of COVID-19 long haulers and ME/CFS may be lessened via an 8-week inspiratory muscle training protocol which is a simple and easy training protocol which can be done at a patient's home. Thus, this project will investigate changes in the breathing and cardiovascular responses to stimuli in three groups of participants: 1) healthy control individuals; 2) patients diagnosed with ME/CFS (mild to moderate symptoms); and 3) individuals with previous COVID-19 infection with long-haul symptoms lasting for at least 3 months. Participants will 1) breathe hypoxic gas (10% O2) for 5 minutes; 2) breath hypercapnic gas (5% CO2) for 5 minutes; 3) breathe at a rate of 6 breaths per minute for a total of 8 breaths (paced deep breathing); and 4) complete 10 minutes upright tilt (70 degrees head up on a tilt-table). Patients will also complete 2 questionnaires concerning their symptoms and a 15 minute cognitive function test on a lab laptop. This will allow for the assessment of the brain's control over blood pressure and breathing. Participants will also complete a 6-minute walking exercise test at their own speed as a measure of their aerobic fitness. We hypothesize that COVID-19 survivors will have a worse cardiovascular and autonomic response and lower fitness, similar to ME/CFS patients, compared to healthy participants.Further, this will be improved after 8-weeks of inspiratory muscle training. These results may help clinicians recognize ME/CFS symptoms in patients recovering from COVID-19.
Exertional Exhaustion in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue SyndromePost-exertional malaise was modeled by having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and sedentary control subjects perform submaximal exercise on 2 consecutive days with objective changes in brain function measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during cognitive tests before and after the 2 exercise sessions.
Psychological Risk Factors for Functional Somatic Disorders
Irritable Bowel SyndromeFibromyalgia5 moreThe objective of this study is to explore the role of neuroticism, perceived stress, and adverse life events, respectively, in the development and perpetuation of functional somatic disorders.