Practitioner Report

Metacognitive Factors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  1. Lorraine Maher-Edwards1,
  2. Bruce A. Fernie1,
  3. Gabrielle Murphy1,
  4. Ana V. Nikcevic2,
  5. Marcantonio M. Spada3,4,*

Article first published online: 12 MAY 2011

DOI: 10.1002/cpp.757

Additional Information

How to Cite

Maher-Edwards, L., Fernie, B. A., Murphy, G., Nikcevic, A. V. and Spada, M. M. (2011), Metacognitive Factors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. doi: 10.1002/cpp.757

Author Information

  1. 1

    Fatigue Service, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK

  2. 2

    Kingston University, Kingston Upon Thames, UK

  3. 3

    Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, UK

  4. 4

    North East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

*Marcantonio M. Spada, Department of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, Southwark, London SE1 OAA, UK.
E-mail: spadam@lsbu.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 12 MAY 2011

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (102K)

Keywords:

  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome;
  • Conceptual Processes;
  • Metacognitive Factors;
  • Rumination;
  • Worry

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which is characterized by fatigue and flu-like symptoms that are not alleviated by rest, is a poorly understood condition and an often controversial diagnosis. Earlier research has indicated that general metacognitions are associated with the severity of symptoms in patients with CFS. In the current study, we aimed to determine whether specific metacognitive factors are implicated in CFS. Using the metacognitive profiling interview template we investigated the following: (1) whether patients held positive or negative metacognitions about conceptual processes; (2) what their goals with respect to engaging in these processes were; and (3) what indicated that it was appropriate to stop. We also examined attention focus when experiencing CFS symptoms, and its advantages and disadvantages. Results showed that patients endorsed positive and negative metacognitions pertaining to conceptual processes. The goals of engaging in these processes were to identify the cause of, and devise strategies to cope with, symptoms. Patients were either unable to identify a stop signal for conceptual processing or identified an improvement in fatigue-related symptoms as representing the stop signal. Finally, patients reported that their attention focus when experiencing symptoms included distraction and monitoring of symptoms. Advantages to these strategies included symptom management, whereas disadvantages included an escalation of negative affect. The present findings provide preliminary evidence that specific metacognitive factors may be involved in CFS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

  • Metacognitive profiling that may aid assessment and conceptualisation of psychological distress in CFS.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (102K)