Semi-Structured Interview
As shown in Table 3, emerging from these codes were themes of protection
against overstimulation and the importance of being in a comfortable
setting. Cases explained how this was helpful in preventing them from
reaching their mental or physical symptom thresholds. Considering their
reduced tolerance to sensory input, controlling the surroundings lowered
unwanted stimuli and allowed cases to devote their energy to the
intervention itself, without dealing with unnecessary triggers. Both
cases described an initial feeling of a lifeless body and how they had
avoided exercise for a long time before the intervention. Strenuous
physical activity can lead to symptom exacerbation in many PCS patients
causing a negative feedback loop further reducing physical activity,
making their bodies less resilient long term. After the intervention
however, both cases expressed feelings of physical success and improved
physical confidence which enabled them to continue to exercise on their
own.
TABLE 3
3.2 Study B