Hope for the Weary
Internationally recognized research conducted by faculty and students
in the Pacific Fatigue Laboratory is giving hope to those with
debilitating illnesses.
Linda DuBois
Feb 17, 2012
The Pacific Fatigue Lab (PFL) is a research, clinical and teaching
laboratory that studies fatigue-related illnesses such as Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Founded in 2007,
PFL is operated through the Department of Sport Sciences.
CFS/ME is an incurable, debilitating illness that is difficult to
diagnose. At PFL, individuals with CFS/ME - often dismissed as
malingering or depressed by family members, insurance companies and
even physicians - are receiving objective, clinical validation that
they indeed have a disabling illness, important for both psychological
and practical reasons.
Revolutionizing the Field of CFS/ME Research
PFL provides a comprehensive disability evaluation that measures
heart, lung and sympathetic nervous system function, metabolic
function and cognitive processing time. Testing includes an 8-12
minute exercise stress test. However, a difference in Pacific's
testing protocol is that patients are also re-tested the next day.
This factor has revolutionized CFS/ME research.
"Those with CFS/ME are the only patients who score significantly worse
the second day," says Staci Stevens '91, '97, PFL founding executive
director. Research has proved that, regardless of health level, a
person will score about the same on both days when taking a stress
test two days in a row. "CFS/ME patients do not recover normally from
physical exertion."
From test results PFL researchers provide an extensive evaluation to
help the patient manage their illness and to educate physicians and
attorneys. For some, it is a financial lifesaver; helping them obtain
disability benefits they were previously denied. Each patient also
receives an heart-rate monitor to help them manage exertion levels and
prevent a flare-up.
PFL is the only place that offers this comprehensive service, and only
two centers have implemented its exercise testing, one at Ithaca
College in New York and one at a university in the Netherlands.
Consequently, the lab has drawn patients from as far as Chile and
Japan. This includes people with illnesses other than CFS/ME, such as
HIV, multiple sclerosis and cancer, who increasingly must prove they
are unable to work.
"We do have a reputation that goes beyond the United States, which is
quite unique for a small institution like this," says Christopher
Snell, sport sciences professor and PFL scientific director. Stevens
and Snell have both served on the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee, which Snell has
chaired for the past three years.
Students Gaining Real-World Experience
Both undergraduate and graduate students are involved through every
aspect of the research and testing process. Students work with
patients, review medical history, measure height, weight and blood
pressure, conduct the lab testing, and compile the results into a
report.
"I've learned how to work with people and patients. At first I was a
little bit shy, but now I've gotten comfortable enough that it's
second nature." Ben Larson '12- Lab Assistant
Many of the students have presented their research at major
conferences. Larson recently presented his research at the
International Association of CFS/ME (IACFS/ME) conference. Graduate
Harnoor Singh '07 has presented research at the American College of
Sports Medicine conference and was named Student Researcher of the
Year at the IACFS/ME annual meeting.
Singh and Larson agree their experiences in the Pacific Fatigue Lab
are invaluable preparation for their future in health-related careers.
Singh, now in medical school, was particularly affected by clients'
frustration at being repeatedly dismissed by doctors. He says it has
taught him the importance of listening and being sensitive to
patients.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda DuBois
West Sacramento-based journalist Linda DuBois has been a writer and
editor for 25 years.
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