A Concurrent Cognitive Task Does Not Perturb Quiet Standing in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 2018, Stensdotter et al

[Andy]

Abstract

Background and Objectives. Cognitive complaints are common in fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Fatigue as well as pain may require greater effort to perform cognitive tasks, thereby increasing the load on processing in the central nervous system and interfering with motor control.

Methods. The effect of a concurrent arithmetic cognitive task on postural control during quiet standing was investigated in 75 women (aged 19–49 years) and compared between FM, CFS, and matched controls (/group). Quiet standing on a force plate was performed for 60 s/condition, with and without a concurrent cognitive task. The center of pressure data was decomposed into a slow component and a fast component representing postural sway and adjusting ankle torque.

Results. Compared to controls, CFS and FM displayed lower frequency in the slow component (), and CFS displayed greater amplitude in the slow ( and ) and fast () components. There were no interactions indicating different responses to the added cognitive task between any of the three groups.

Conclusion. Patients displayed insufficient postural control across both conditions, while the concurrent cognitive task did not perturb quiet standing. Fatigue but not pain correlated with postural control variables.

Open access at https://www.hindawi.com/journals/prm/2018/9014232/

 

[Kalliope]

I was about to post this myself, but saw that @Andy had already done it.

One of the authors, Egil Fors, is known for a psychosomatic approach to ME and have claimed things like: With a diagnosis as ME, it is easy to believe one is sick and thus choose benefits"

From an interview with a women's magazine a year ago (my translation)
Functional disorders, also called complex disorders, is the collective term for several diagnoses that don't fit into the division between physiological and psychological illnesses, as fibromyalgia, whiplash and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- We who work with this believe it is a bit old-fashioned to divide illness and suffering. These conditions are biopsychosocial illnesses, which is a combination of biological, social and psychological factors, says Fors.

I am not sure if this study suggests he is about to change his mind. Probably not.

 

[Kalliope]

Previous research from this team is discussed here:
https://www.s4me.info/threads/norwe...ronic-fatigue-syndrome-and-fibromyalgia.1106/

 

[Hoopoe]

With a diagnosis as ME, it is easy to believe one is sick and thus choose benefits"

With a diagnosis of MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, crohn's disease, etc it is easy to believe one is sick and thus choose benefits. So ME is no different in this regard.

What they really want to say is that ME is not a real illness.

 

[Kalliope]

 

[inox]

Randome quote:

Although the response to the concurrent cognitive task in patients did not indicate reduced control as expected, the number of correlations between fatigue and postural control variables increased. Importantly, there is a link between mental fatigue and cognition, at least in CFS [3].

Muddled brain, tried to find anything about severity of patients?

Not surprising, this test didn't give those results. Had they repeated the test a second day, I'm sure the result would be different. The partispants probably was rested and as well as they could showing up at the lab.

I've fallen over, trying to talk and walk at the same time, when very ill. But for years with less symptoms burden that didn't happen.

 

[inox]

And they used Fukuda-criteria, so patients selection may not be representative.