Acceptance, fatigue severity and self-reported physical activity in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

ABSTRACT

Background: Acceptance is a coping strategy associated with chronic pain management, but its effectiveness is unclear for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between acceptance, fatigue severity, pain and self-reported physical activity in individuals with CFS/ME.

Method: Ten females and seven males diagnosed with CFS/ME (51.9 ± 8.8 years), and gender, age-matched sedentary controls, completed self-reported measures of acceptance, fatigue severity and physical activity. Acceptance was measured using the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. Fatigue was assessed with the Fatigue Severity Scale, and Physical Activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form. Self-reported physical activity was calculated using categorical and continuous measures (MET-minutes).

Result: CFS/ME and control groups were compared using Independent t-tests and Spearman's Rho correlations. The CFS/ME group reported significantly greater fatigue severity and psychological inflexibility, and lower pain willingness and time spent sitting than controls. However, no between-group differences for activity engagement or physical activity. The CFS/ME group showed a negative relationship between pain willingness and psychological inflexibility, and a positive relationship between walking time and the time since symptom onset, and time since diagnosis.

Conclusion: Despite reporting greater fatigue and less acceptance of their illness, CFS/ME patients had comparable levels of physical activity to controls, possibly due to pacing their activity to avoid symptom exacerbation. CFS/ME patients with an older diagnosis walked further than the newly diagnosed, suggesting the development of better coping skills and management strategies over time.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
• acceptance
• physical activity
• psychological flexibility

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Neil Chapman

Neil Chapman is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Ph.D. candidate within the School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.

Suzanne Broadbent

Dr. Suzanne Broadbent is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Associate Professor within the School of Health and Sport Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia.

Rosanne Coutts

Dr. Rosanne Coutts is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Associate Professor within the School of Health and Human Sciences, Southern Cross University, Lismore, Australia.