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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.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Megan A. Arroll
Megan A. Arroll (Ph.D., C.Psychol., C.Sci., FHEA, AFBPsS) is a Research Fellow at the University of East London and also works as an independent scholar. Megan has been conducting research into medically unexplained and misunderstood illnesses for over a decade and has published numerous academic papers and books in this field.
Elizabeth A. Attree
Elizabeth A. Attree is Head of Psychological Sciences at the University of East London (UEL). In collaboration with colleagues from UEL's Chronic Illness Research team, she has over ten years’ expertise in carrying out and publishing research into cognitive function in people with invisible chronic illnesses.
John M. O'Leary
John M. O'Leary is a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner working with Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. John graduated from the University of East London and working alongside their Chronic Illness Research Team he based his dissertation on a neuropsychological study examining executive function in adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
Christine P. Dancey
Christine P. Dancey (C.Psychol., C.HealthPsychol., FHEA., FBPsS) is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of East London. Christine has carried out research into chronic physical illness for 25 years and has had numerous publications and books published in this field.