Abstract
Background
In patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), performance of physical activities may be affected by an anticipated increase
in symptoms after these activities. Nijs et al. previously studied the influence of symptom expectancies and related psychological
processes on the performance of an isolated physical activity [Nijs J, Meeus M, Heins M, Knoop H, Moorkens G, Bleijenberg
G. Kinesiophobia, catastrophizing and anticipated symptoms before stair climbing in chronic fatigue syndrome: an experimental
study. Disabil Rehabil 2012. doi:10.3109/09638288.2011.641661.].
in symptoms after these activities. Nijs et al. previously studied the influence of symptom expectancies and related psychological
processes on the performance of an isolated physical activity [Nijs J, Meeus M, Heins M, Knoop H, Moorkens G, Bleijenberg
G. Kinesiophobia, catastrophizing and anticipated symptoms before stair climbing in chronic fatigue syndrome: an experimental
study. Disabil Rehabil 2012. doi:10.3109/09638288.2011.641661.].
Method
In 49 CFS patients, we measured performance (duration and increase in heart rate) during self-paced climbing and descending
of two floors of stairs. Before this task, patients rated experienced fatigue and anticipated fatigue after stair climbing.
In addition, kinesiophobia, catastrophising and focusing on bodily symptoms were measured. Using correlational and regression
analyses, we tested whether performance during stair climbing could be explained by experienced and anticipated fatigue and
psychological factors.
of two floors of stairs. Before this task, patients rated experienced fatigue and anticipated fatigue after stair climbing.
In addition, kinesiophobia, catastrophising and focusing on bodily symptoms were measured. Using correlational and regression
analyses, we tested whether performance during stair climbing could be explained by experienced and anticipated fatigue and
psychological factors.
Conclusion
Symptom expectations affect the performance of physical activity in CFS patients, possibly through focusing on bodily symptoms
and catastrophising. These findings partially contradict the findings of the previous study, which stresses the importance
of study context in conducting this type of experiments (i.e., patient characteristics, instructions).
and catastrophising. These findings partially contradict the findings of the previous study, which stresses the importance
of study context in conducting this type of experiments (i.e., patient characteristics, instructions).
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s12529-012-9253-2
- Authors
- Marianne Heins, Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 4628, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Hans Knoop, Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 4628, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Jo Nijs, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Remco Feskens, Department of Methods and Statistics, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Mira Meeus, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Greta Moorkens, Reference Centre for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Gijs Bleijenberg, Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 4628, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Journal International Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1532-7558
- Print ISSN 1070-5503