Chronic fatigue syndrome in nursing practice: a concept analysis.

backgroundNurses are essential in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) management, serving as care coordinators and patient advocates, but currently lack a unified guiding framework. CFS affects about 0.89% of the global population based on CDC-1994 criteria, with higher prevalence in women. Since its initial definition in 1988, over 25 diagnostic criteria have been introduced, leading to ongoing confusion about core symptoms and diagnosis. This inconsistency poses significant challenges for nurses, including difficulties in patient identification, inconsistent assessment approaches, and lack of standardized care pathways. A clear theoretical model is needed to improve nursing assessments, intervention planning, and care standardization.

methodsA concept analysis was conducted using the Walker and Avant's eight-step method. Eight databases were systematically searched for literature from January 1988 to December 2025. Studies on CFS definitions, diagnostic criteria, or conceptual frameworks were included if they addressed key attributes, antecedents, consequences, or measurement methods. Two graduate students and professors independently performed two-stage screening and data extraction. Multiple discussion rounds ensured analytical rigor.

resultsSixty-eight studies were included. CFS antecedents included infections, immune dysregulation, genetics, and stress. Five core attributes were identified as defining features of CFS in the reviewed literature: persistent severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), non-restorative sleep, cognitive impairment and/or orthostatic intolerance, and multisystem involvement. Consequences involved disability, poor quality of life, psychological distress, social isolation, and economic burden. Empirical referents included diagnostic criteria, symptom scales, and functional measures.

conclusionsThis study proposed a nursing-oriented conceptual framework for CFS based on the reviewed literature, identifying five core features that may help distinguish it from general fatigue. The framework suggests plausible directions for nursing practice, including prioritizing PEM assessments, promoting energy management and pacing as potential interventions, and considering nurses as care coordinators in multidisciplinary teams. It may also contribute to CFS-focused nursing education and the development of assessment instruments. Given shared pathophysiological features reported in the literature, the framework may offer a conceptual basis for application to post-infectious fatigue conditions such as long COVID, though this transferability requires empirical validation in specific populations and clinical contexts.