Pacing bei ME/CFS: So gelingt der Alltag

Pacing for ME/CFS: Making Everyday Life Work

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) makes pacing the central strategy — not an afterthought. Here's how it works in practice.

ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) is a complex multisystem illness classified by the WHO as a neurological condition. Its hallmark feature is post-exertional malaise (PEM): a delayed, often severe worsening after physical, cognitive or emotional exertion — typically 12 to 72 hours later. That's exactly why pacing in ME/CFS isn't a supplementary suggestion — it's the central, evidence-based management strategy.

Why classic exercise training doesn't work here

The UK's NICE NG206 guideline explicitly advised in 2021 against prescribing graded exercise therapy (GET) to people with ME/CFS — a reversal of earlier recommendations. The reason: PEM means more activity doesn't lead to greater capacity, it leads to worsening. Pacing addresses this directly: matching activity to the actual, often severely limited exertion threshold, rather than gradually increasing it.

Pacing in practice: the basic principles

How mypacing helps in practice

The free pacing calculator translates resting heart rate and symptom precursors into a daily activity recommendation — no account needed. For structured severity tracking, the FUNCAP calculator offers a validated 55-item assessment of functional capacity. The app's daily tracking view shows patterns before crashes rather than looking at single days in isolation, and the doctor's report summarizes pacing data and Bell score for your next appointment.

Note: mypacing is not a medical device and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.

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