Investigating the impact of fatigue and anxiety provocation in CFS
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The effect of anxiety and fatigue provocation on Autonomic Nervous System Activity in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
IRAS ID
120810
Contact name
Trudie Chalder
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Research summary
This study will investigate the impact of fatigue and anxiety provocation on Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)activity in those with CFS. It will also investigate how underlying emotion processing and personality traits impact upon the experience of fatigue and anxiety.40 patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will be recruited from CFS Research and Treatment Unit (South London and Maudsley NHS Trust/ King’s College London) before undergoing treatment, along with 40 matched healthy control participants. All participants will receive a set of questionnaires to complete at home which measure various personality and emotion processing traits. Participants will then attend an experimental session at the Chronic Fatigue Unit. During this time they will be attached to equipment which measures their Heart Rate (HR) and Skin Conductance Resistance (SCR) both of which are markers of Autonomic Nervous System activity. After baseline recordings of HR and SCR have been taken, participants will be shown a sequence of videos designed to provoke states of anxiety, fatigue or relaxation. After each clip, the participant will rate their feelings of fatigue and anxiety. Participants will then be required to rate the extent to which they may have been suppressing their feelings. A 2 minute walk test will also be conducted as a measure of fitness. After the CFS patients have completed a course of treatment at the unit they will be invited to return for a follow up session in which the original set of questionnaires will be completed again and baseline recordings of HR and SCR taken.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1112
Date of REC Opinion
17 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion