OBJECTIVES: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), as a poorly understood, serious, complex, multisystem disorder, remains relevant and its coverage has increased due to COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the earlier studies on other infections, researchers suggested that 10% of COVID-19 survivors could develop ME/CFS. Prevalence is expanding rapidly, but effective treatments are still being sought. In these circumstances, it is worth considering an integrative approach and attracting additional efforts to improve patients' health. The aim of this research was dedicated to evaluating the coaching potential in healthcare of ME/CFS and persistent-post-COVID-19 syndrome (PPCS) patients, by using a case studies approach, at a primary healthcare institution in Latvia.

METHODS: The coaching sessions for two ME/CFS and two PPCS patients were carried out from March to May 2022. The sessions were performed by a certified coach of the Erickson Coaching International. The patient’s Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using the EuroQol-5D-5L measure, as well as the overall health status – by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for the time prior to the onset of illness, for the state before coaching sessions and after a one-month period of coaching. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were used for the analysis of the obtained data.

RESULTS: After the coaching period, all patients demonstrated an improvement in overall health status: ME/CFS patients – by 30% each, one PPCS patient – by 20%, and another patient – by 10%. The HRQoL reported by EuroQol-5D-5L demonstrated improvement in all domains, with a stronger impact on pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression reduction; moderate enhancement in mobility and usual activities; and less improvement – in self-care ability (self-care ability was reported as less affected by illness).

CONCLUSIONS: The case studies performed in the framework of Research project No. lzp-2019/1-0380, demonstrated the potential of an integrative approach to improving healthcare outcomes for ME/CFS and PPCS patients.