Limited evidence was found for the psychometric properties and clinical usability of these instruments .
However , the CFS-activities and participation question naire ( APQ ) is a disease-specific instrument with moderate content and construct validity .
PURPOSE To summarize measurement instruments used to evaluate activity limitations and participation restrictions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) and review the psychometric properties of these instruments .
Chronic fatigue syndrome causes activity limitations and participation restrictions in one or more areas of life .
Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome.
OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of a grade d aerobic exercise programme in the  chronic fatigue syndrome .  DESIGN R and omised controlled trial with control treatment crossover after the first follow up examination . SETTING Chronic fatigue clinic in a general hospital department of psychiatry . SUBJECTS 66 patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome who had neither a psychiatric disorder nor appreciable sleep disturbance . INTERVENTIONS R and om allocation to 12 weeks of either grade d aerobic exercise or flexibility exercises and relaxation therapy . Patients who completed the flexibility programme were invited to cross over to the exercise programme afterwards . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The self rated clinical global impression change score , " very much better " or " much better " being considered as clinical ly important . RESULTS Four patients receiving exercise and three receiving flexibility treatment dropped out before completion . 15 of 29 patients rated themselves as better after completing exercise treatment compared with eight of 30 patients who completed flexibility treatment . Analysis by intention to treat gave similar results ( 17/33 v 9/33 patients better ) . Fatigue , functional capacity , and fitness were significantly better after exercise than after flexibility treatment . 12 of 22 patients who crossed over to exercise after flexibility treatment rated themselves as better after completing exercise treatment 32 of 47 patients rated themselves as better three months after completing supervised exercise treatment 35 of 47 patients rated themselves as better one year after completing supervised exercise treatment . CONCLUSION These findings support the use of appropriately prescribed grade d aerobic exercise in the management of patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome
Limited evidence was found for the psychometric properties and clinical usability of these instruments .
However , the CFS-activities and participation question naire ( APQ ) is a disease-specific instrument with moderate content and construct validity .
PURPOSE To summarize measurement instruments used to evaluate activity limitations and participation restrictions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) and review the psychometric properties of these instruments .
Chronic fatigue syndrome causes activity limitations and participation restrictions in one or more areas of life .