Assessing current functioning as a measure of significant reduction in activity level

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2016

Publication Title

Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior

Keywords

myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, substantial reduction, functioning

Abstract

Background

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have case definitions with varying criteria, but almost all criteria require an individual to have a substantial reduction in activity level. Unfortunately, a consensus has not been reached regarding what constitutes substantial reductions. One measure that has been used to measure substantial reduction is the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36).[1]

Purpose

The current study examined the relationship between the SF-36, a measure of current functioning, and a self-report measure of the percent reduction in hours spent on activities.

Results

Findings indicated that select subscales of the SF-36 accurately measure significant reductions in functioning. Further, this measure significantly differentiates patients from controls.

Conclusion

Determining what constitutes a significant reduction in activity is difficult because it is subjective to the individual. However, certain subscales of the SF-36 could provide a uniform way to accurately measure and define substantial reductions in functioning.

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