NICE Guideline > Physical functioning and mobility
Physical functioning and mobility
1.12.5 Include strategies to maintain and prevent deterioration of physical functioning and mobility in the care and support plans of people with ME/CFS. These strategies may need to be carried out in small amounts and spread out throughout the day. Think about including the following:
- joint mobility
- muscle flexibility
- balance
- postural and positional support
- muscle function
- bone health
- cardiovascular health.
1.12.6 Assess at every contact people with severe or very severe ME/CFS or those with prolonged periods of immobility for:
- areas at risk of pressure ulcers (see the NICE guideline on pressure ulcers)
- deep vein thrombosis (see the NICE guideline on venous thromboembolic diseases)
- risk of contractures.
1.12.7 Give people with ME/CFS and their family or carers (as appropriate) information, advice and support on how to recognise and prevent possible complications of long-term immobility.
1.12.8 Give families and carers information, advice and support on how to help people with ME/CFS follow their care and support plan in relation to physical functioning and mobility. This may include:
- bed mobility
- moving from lying to sitting to standing
- transferring from bed to chair
- using mobility aids
- walking
- joint mobility
- muscle stretching
- muscle strength
- balance
- going up and down stairs.
For training to provide care and support, see NICE's guideline on supporting adult carers.