Pain Characteristics of People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectives: Until now, there has been a lack of fundamental research into the pain experienced in chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS]. The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the pain experiences of people with CFS with a range of disability, and (2) identify specific pain characteristics of people with CFS.Methods: Fifty people were recruited, including 10 people who were severely disabled by CFS [25% Group]. Participants completed a structured interview and a series of pain assessments about their current pain, which included the McGill Pain Questionnaire [MPQ], the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale [PASS], and visual analog scales.Results: Muscle pain was the most reported painful symptom [68 percent]. The current pain intensity was 43.2 mm ± 20.8 mm measured on a visual analog scale. The MPQ pain rating index was 23.6 ± 10.8. The PASS total score was 37.9 ± 17.6. Thirty percent [N = 15] of participants reported the cervical spine the location of “most severe” pain, followed by the left and right s...