Examining Types of Fatigue Among Individuals with ME/CFS

Authors

  • Leonard Jason
  • Tricia Jessen
  • Nicole Porter
  • Aaron Boulton
  • Mary Gloria-Njoku

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v29i3.938

Abstract

Severe, persisting fatigue is a prominent symptom of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), but individuals with this illness frequently report the occurrence of unique fatigue states that might be different from conventional symptoms of fatigue. The present study attempted to assess a comprehensive set of fatigue symptoms that have been commonly reported among patients with ME/CFS. A 22-item fatigue questionnaire was developed and administered to 130 persons diagnosed with ME/CFS and 251 controls. Adequate scale reliability was found. Factor analyses revealed a five-factor structure for participants with ME/CFS but only a one factor solution for the control group. The new scale was also contrasted with other more traditional scales developed to measure fatigue. Findings suggest that individuals with ME/CFS experience different types of fatigue than what are reported in the general populations.

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Published

2009-07-16

How to Cite

Jason, L., Jessen, T., Porter, N., Boulton, A., & Gloria-Njoku, M. (2009). Examining Types of Fatigue Among Individuals with ME/CFS. Disability Studies Quarterly, 29(3). https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v29i3.938