ArticleBMJ paediatrics open2018
Adolescent's descriptions of fatigue, fluctuation and payback in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME): interviews with adolescents and parents.
Article in BMJ paediatrics open, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 35 citations in OpenAlex.
- Which needs do children, adolescents, and young adults with ME/CFS and their parents express and feel? - Qualitative study in Germany.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Evaluation of an Online Patient Education Program for Children and Young People with ME/CFS and their Parents within the BAYNET FOR MECFS Study.Neuropediatrics · 2026Article
- "It's like going through life at a mediocre level": a qualitative study of the meaning and impact of fatigue in children and young people with sickle cell disease.BMC pediatrics · 2025Article
- Development and Implementation of an Online Patient Education Program for Children and Adolescents With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Their Parents, Siblings, and School Personnel: Protocol for the Prospective BAYNET FOR ME/CFS Study.JMIR research protocols · 2024Article
- "I'm always going to be tired": a qualitative exploration of adolescents' experiences of fatigue in depression.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2024Article
- The fragile process of Homecoming - Young women in recovery from severe ME/CFS.International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being · 2023Article
- Observational
- Post-exertional malaise in daily life and experimental exercise models in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.Frontiers in physiology · 2023Article
- Patterns of Objectively Measured Sedentary Time and Emotional Disorder Symptoms Among Youth.Journal of pediatric psychology · 2022Article
- Experiences of pain in paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a single-centre qualitative study.BMJ paediatrics open · 2022Article
- Health, Wellbeing, and Prognosis of Australian Adolescents with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Case-Controlled Follow-Up Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2021Article
- Experiences Among School Personnel and School Nurses on Educational Adaptations for Students With CFS/ME: A Qualitative Interview Study.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2021Article
- Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in children aged 5 to 11 years: A qualitative study.Clinical child psychology and psychiatry · 2021Article
- Sleep problems in adolescents with CFS: A case-control study nested within a prospective clinical cohort.Clinical child psychology and psychiatry · 2020Article
- Psychometric properties of the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire (CBRQ) in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveAs part of a larger qualitative study to explore outcomes important in paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME) and what improvements in fatigue and disability are key, interviews were undertaken with adolescents and their parents. This paper focuses on their descriptions of fatigue, fluctuation of symptoms and payback. DESIGN AND
settingSemistructured qualitative interviews were undertaken between December 2014 and February 2015. Adolescents and parents were interviewed separately. Participants were recruited from a single specialist paediatric chronic fatigue service. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
participantsWe interviewed 21 adolescents and their parents (20 mothers and 2 fathers). The adolescents were aged between 12 and 17 years of age (mean age 14.4 years), mild to moderately affected by CFS/ME (not housebound) and the majority were female (16/21).
resultsAll adolescents with CFS/ME reported fatigue, a natural fluctuation of the condition, with good days and bad days as well as an increase in symptoms after activity (payback). However, adolescent's descriptions of fatigue, symptoms and the associated impact on their daily lives differed. The variations included: fatigue versus a collection of symptoms, constant versus variable symptoms and variable symptom severity. There were differences between participants in the amount of activity taken to cause payback. The impact of fatigue and symptoms on function ranged from: limiting the duration and amount of leisure activities, struggling with daily activities (eg, self-care) to no activity (sedentary).
conclusionsFatigue, fluctuation of the condition and payback after activity are described by all adolescents with CFS/ME in this study. However, the individual experience in terms of how they describe it and the degree and impact varies.
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