Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior

Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior is the quarterly professional journal, started in 2013, published on behalf of the IACFS/ME. Articles and issues are available for a fee online at the Taylor and Francis Group.

Volume 5, Issue 1, 2017

 * Response to: "Do more people recover from chronic fatigue syndrome with cognitive behaviour therapy or graded exercise therapy than with other treatments?" "ABSTRACT - Background: Wilshire et al. suggest that we have overestimated the number of patients that recover from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) after receiving a course of either cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or graded exercise therapy (GET), as reported in a secondary analysis of outcome data from the Pacing, graded Activity and Cognitive behavior therapy; a randomized Evaluation (PACE) trial. We provide counter-arguments to this view. Purpose: To provide an alternative view to that offered by Wilshire et al. Methods: We review the two different analyses of PACE trial outcome data to estimate recovery, and compare these to other published trials and cohort studies. Results: While there is no gold standard for recovery from CFS, previous trials and cohort studies provide support for our analysis of recovery in the PACE trial. Our finding that 22% of participants recover from the current episode of CFS after either CBT or GET, compared to 8% after adaptive pacing therapy and 7% after specialist medical care alone, is consistent with the literature. Conclusions: Our original conclusions that '… recovery from CFS is possible, and that CBT and GET are the therapies most likely to lead to recovery’ is an important, reasonable, and hopeful message for both clinicians and patients."
 * Identifying symptom subgroups in patients with ME/CFS – relationships to functioning and quality of life "ABSTRACT - Background: It is still not clear whether the diagnosis Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) constitutes one single disease entity, as diagnosis depends on clinical case definitions. The variation of symptoms across individuals indicates important differences between individuals diagnosed with ME/CFS. Also, the variation in daily functioning and quality of life measures among subgroups of symptoms is still unclear. Purpose: The present study examines the associations between symptoms in ME/CFS, and evaluates the relationships between symptom subgroups, functioning and quality of life. Methods: Data were collected from 106 adults as part of the assessment at a tertiary specialist clinic for ME/CFS. Principal component analyses (PCA) were utilized to identify symptom subgroups, and the relationships with functioning and quality of life were evaluated using bivariate correlations. Results: The PCA suggested four statistically distinct and clinically meaningful subgroups of symptoms. The latent constructs were labeled Inflammatory, Pain, Neurocognitive, and Autonomic. All symptom subgroups correlated significantly with measures of fatigue, mood, functioning and quality of life. Notably, the correlations between symptom subgroups and criteria variables (e.g. mood) varied in strength, indicating a difference in the relative importance of symptom subgroups. Conclusions: Although tentative, the results from this study support previous research and suggest that there are important symptom subgroups among individuals with ME/CFS. Furthermore, these results indicate that symptom profiles may be of importance to understand the variation between individuals in the impact of symptoms on functioning. Thus, more research is warranted to validate these findings and investigate possible differences in etiology between patient subgroups."
 * Editorial - Differing case definitions point to the need for an accurate diagnosis of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Full text by Luis Nacul, Caroline C. Kingdon, Erinna W. Bowman, Hayley Curran, and Eliana M. Lacerda
 * Can patients with chronic fatigue syndrome really recover after graded exercise or cognitive behavioural therapy? A critical commentary and preliminary re-analysis of the PACE trial, by Carolyn Wilshire, [[Tom Kindlon], Alem Matthees & Simon McGrath]
 * Profiles of fatigue severity and variability among adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy, by Laura K. Brunton and Doreen J. Bartlett
 * Patient change attributions in self-management of severe chronic fatigue syndrome, Abstract

Volume 4, Issue 4, 2016

 * Editorial - Understanding cancer-related fatigue: advancing the science, Full text by Michael Renner and Leorey N. Saligan
 * Letter to the editor - Diary-based outcome predictors in a self-management trial in chronic fatigue syndrome
 * Mortality in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome, Abstract
 * Treatment of insomnia reduces fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome in those able to comply with the intervention, Abstract
 * Perceived stress, illness invalidation, and symptom severity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Abstract
 * Treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome following suspected West Nile virus infection
 * Corrigendum - a paper was originally published with errors, these have now been corrected in the online and print versions

Volume 4, Issue 3, 2016

 * Cognitive-behavior therapy: why is it so vilified in the chronic fatigue syndrome community?, Editorial by Fred Friedberg. Full Text
 * Widespread pain and altered renal function in ME/CFS patients. Full Text
 * Roles of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during physical fatigue: a magnetoencephalographic study. Abstract
 * Efficacy of two delivery modes of behavioral self-management in severe chronic fatigue syndrome. Abstract
 * Assessing current functioning as a measure of significant reduction in activity level. Abstract

Volume 4, Issue 2, 2016

 * The biological challenge of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a solvable problem, Editorial by Jonathan C.W. Edwards, Simon McGrath, Adrian Baldwin, Mark Livingstone & Andrew Kewley. Full Text
 * Fatigue severity in World Trade Center (9/11) responders: a preliminary study. Abstract
 * A comparative polysomnography analysis of sleep in healthy controls and patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Abstract
 * Polysomnographic and multiple sleep latency testing data in a large sample of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and their relationship with subjective scores. Abstract
 * Neural effect of physical fatigue on mental fatigue: a magnetoencephalography study. Abstract
 * The effect of obesity on central activation failure during ankle fatigue: a pilot investigation. Abstract

Volume 4, Issue 1, 2016

 * Case definitions integrating empiric and consensus perspectives. Full Text
 * In-depth review of five fatigue measures in shift workers. Full Text
 * Current therapeutic strategies for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: results of an online survey. Full Text
 * Comparing the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire with physician assessments: a preliminary study. Full Text

Volume 3, Issue 4, 2015

 * Self-management and ambulatory monitoring in chronic fatigue syndrome: future directions, Editorial by Fred Friedberg. Full Text
 * A case-control study of sleep-related factors and occupational injuries at an Italian teaching hospital. Full Text
 * Autonomic function in chronic fatigue syndrome with and without painful temporomandibular disorder. Abstract
 * Measuring quality of life and fatigue in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: estimates of feasibility, internal consistency and parent–adolescent agreement of the PedsQLTM. Abstract
 * Functional level of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome reporting use of alternative vs. traditional treatments. Abstract
 * Letter to the Editor, by Matthew Sorenson & Leonard A. Jason
 * Letter to the Editor, by Frank Twisk
 * Letter to the Editor, Variability in symptoms complicates utility of case definitions: a response to Twisk (2015), by Leonard A. Jason, Stephanie L. McManimen & Yolonda J. Williams
 * Publishing models and article dates explained, by Editorial Board

Volume 3, Issue 3, 2015

 * Chronic fatigue syndrome versus systemic exertion intolerance disease. Abstract
 * Perceived fatigue interference and depressed mood: comparison of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients with fatigued breast cancer survivors. Full Text
 * Chronic fatigue syndrome and increased susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections and illnesses. Abstract
 * Variability in symptoms complicates utility of case definitions. Abstract
 * Coping with chronic fatigue syndrome: a review and synthesis of qualitative studies. Abstract

Volume 3, Issue 2, 2015

 * Institute of medicine report on chronic fatigue syndrome: case definition issues and future directions., Editorial by Fred Friedberg First Page Preview
 * Comparing and contrasting consensus versus empirical domains. Abstract
 * Findings from a clinical and laboratory database developed for discovery of pathogenic mechanisms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Abstract
 * Improving academic success for students with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Abstract
 * Exercise and caffeine improve sustained attention following fatigue independent of fitness status. Abstract
 * Brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentration may not be depressed in chronic fatigue syndrome. Abtract

Volume 3, Issue 1, 2015

 * Chronic fatigue syndrome and co-morbid and consequent conditions: evidence from a multi-site clinical epidemiology study. Abstract
 * Test–retest reliability of the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire. Abstract
 * Prolonged fatigue in Ukraine and the United States: prevalence and risk factors. Abstract
 * Long-term follow-up of multi-disciplinary outpatient treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy. Abstract

Volume 2, Issue 4, 2014

 * If only I were paramecium too! A case for the complex, intelligent system of anticipatory regulation in fatigue. Abstract
 * Fatigue in neurological disorders: a review of self-regulation and mindfulness-based interventions. Abstract
 * Perspectives on biochemical and neurosensory mechanisms for exercise-induced pain inhibition. Abstract
 * Fatigue across the CNS spectrum: a clinical review. Abstract

Volume 2, Issue 3, 2014

 * Fatigue in mothers of infants and young children: factor structure of the fatigue assessment scale. Abstract
 * Validating a measure of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome symptomatology.Abstract
 * High rates of fatigue in newly diagnosed Graves' disease. Abstract
 * The role of sleep in chronic fatigue syndrome: a narrative review. Abstract

Volume 2, Issue 2, 2014

 * The delayed fatigue effect in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Abstract"Abstract - 'Background: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating, long-term condition characterised by extreme fatigue (worsened by exertion), muscle and joint pain, and sleep disturbance. Post-exertional fatigue has been demonstrated previously following physical exercise, but not from mental exertion alone. Purpose: The aim of this exploratory study was to assess the ‘delayed fatigue effect,’ in this instance fatigue two days post-challenge, following a cognitively fatiguing task. Methods: Thirty-two participants (23 women; mean age 44, SD = 11.24; mean illness duration nine years, SD = 7.32) completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery, which acted as the cognitive challenge. Self-report measures were also completed that assessed fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory; MFI), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS) pre- and two days post-testing. Results: Significant differences were found between pre- and post-test measures in three MFI sub-scales of fatigue (general, mental, and physical) and on the depression scale of the HADS. However, there were no significant changes in motivation, activity level, or self-reported anxiety scores. Conclusions: These findings are suggestive of post-exertional symptom exacerbation following mental effort. This may have implications for working environments that present cognitive demands to individuals with ME/CFS.'"
 * Fatigue and body mass index in the Fragile X premutation carrier. Abstract
 * Acute and chronic hypoxia: implications for cerebral function and exercise tolerance.Abstract
 * Chronic fatigue syndrome: the current status and future potentials of emerging biomarkers. Abstract
 * Feasibility of a home-based self-management program for chronic fatigue. Abstract

Volume 2, Issue 1, 2014

 * Our first anniversary, Editorial by Fred Friedberg First Page Preview
 * Fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Abstract
 * The effect of caffeine ingestion on coincidence anticipation timing, perceived exertion, and leg pain during submaximal cycling. Abstract
 * The role of clinical guidelines for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in research settings. Abstract
 * Examining case definition criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Abstract

Volume 1, Issue 4, 2013

 * A metagenomic approach to investigate the microbial causes of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: moving beyond XMRV, An Editorial. Full Text
 * Post-exertion malaise in chronic fatigue syndrome: symptoms and gene expression Abstract
 * Beyond myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) symptom severity: stress management skills are related to lower illness burden. Abstract
 * The effect of a single bout of exercise on energy and fatigue states: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Abstract
 * Scientific and legal challenges to the functional capacity evaluation in chronic fatigue syndrome. Abstract
 * Editorial Board, Publishing models and article dates explained. First Page Preview

Volume 1, Issue 3, 2013

 * Editorial, by Fred Friedberg. Full Text
 * Occupational fatigue, underlying sleep and circadian mechanisms, and approaches to fatigue risk management. Abstract
 * Chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia: a “stress-adaptation” model. Abstract
 * Holistic approaches to understanding mechanisms of fatigue in high-intensity sport. Abstract
 * Contrasting chronic fatigue syndrome versus myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Abstract

Volume 1, Issue 1-2, 2013

 * Welcome to our inaugural issue! Editorial, by Fred Friedberg, First Page Preview
 * Scientific status of fatigue and pain. Publishing and professional activities: 2002–2011. Abstract
 * Fatigue and circadian activity rhythms in breast cancer patients before and after chemotherapy: a controlled study. Abstract
 * Energy conservation/envelope theory interventions. Abstract
 * Fatigue in older populations. Abstract
 * Fatigue, sleep, and stress: dynamic relationships in fibromyalgia. Abstract
 * Fatigue in the workplace: causes and countermeasures. Abstract
 * Work schedules, sleep, fatigue, and accidents in the US railroad industry. Abstract