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 .
Implementing a minimal intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome in a mental health centre: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND Cognitive behaviour therapy ( CBT ) for chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) is an effective but intensive treatment , requiring trained therapists . A minimal intervention based on CBT for CFS , guided self-instruction , was shown to be an effective treatment when delivered in a tertiary treatment centre . Implementing this intervention in a community-based mental health centre ( MHC ) will increase the treatment capacity for CFS patients . This study evaluated the effectiveness of guided self-instruction for CFS implemented in an MHC , delivered by nurses . METHOD One hundred and twenty-three patients were r and omly assigned to either guided self-instruction ( n=62 ) or a waiting list ( n=61 ) . R and omization was computer generated , with allocation by numbered sealed envelopes . Group allocation was open to all those involved . Patients fulfilled US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) criteria for CFS . Primary outcome variables were fatigue severity and physical and social functioning , measured with the Checklist Individual Strength ( CIS ) and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form-36 ( SF-36 ) respectively . RESULTS After 6 months , patients who followed guided self-instruction reported a significantly larger decrease in fatigue compared to the waiting list [ mean difference -8.1 , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) -3.8 to -12.4 , controlled effect size 0.70 ] . There was no significant difference in physical and social functioning . However , post-hoc analyses showed a significant decrease in fatigue and physical disabilities following the intervention in a subgroup of patients with physical disabilities at baseline ( SF-36 physical functioning ⩽70 ) . CONCLUSIONS Implementation of guided self-instruction in a community-based MHC was partially successful . The minimal intervention can be effectively implemented for CFS patients with physical impairments
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 .