Chronic Fatigue and Postexertional Malaise in People Living With Long COVID: An Observational Study.
Twomey, Rosie, DeMars, Jessica, Franklin, Kelli et al.·Physical therapy·2022
This study looked at 213 people with long COVID to measure how severe their fatigue and postexertional malaise (PEM—worsening of symptoms after activity) were. Researchers found that over 71% had chronic fatigue as severe as or worse than other serious illnesses, and nearly 59% experienced PEM similar to what people with ME/CFS report. The study highlights that fatigue and symptom flare-ups after activity are major problems that need careful monitoring and should shape how doctors design rehabilitation programs.