Article

Both good physical and cognitive functioning have a positive
influence on the execution of activities of daily living. Patients with chronic
fatigue syndrome (CFS) as well as patients with fibromyalgia have marked
cognitive deficits. Furthermore,
a good physical and functional health status may
have a positive impact on a variety of cognitive skills-a link that has been
observed in young and old individuals who are healthy, although evidence is
limited in patients with CFS. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine
whether recovery of upper limb muscle function could be a significant predictor
of cognitive performance in patients with CFS and in patients with CFS and
comorbid fibromyalgia. Furthermore, this study determined whether cognitive
performance is different between these patient groups. DESIGN: A case-control
design was used. METHODS: Seventy-eight participants were included in the study:
18 patients with CFS only (CFS group), 30 patients with CFS and comorbid
fibromyalgia (CFS+FM group), and 30 individuals who were healthy and inactive
(control group) were studied. Participants first completed 3 performance-based
cognitive tests designed to assess selective and sustained attention, cognitive
inhibition, and working memory capacity. Seven days later, they performed a
fatiguing upper limb exercise test, with subsequent recovery measures. RESULTS:
Recovery of upper limb muscle function was found to be a significant predictor of
cognitive performance in patients with CFS. Participants in the CFS+FM group but
not those in the CFS group showed significantly decreased cognitive performance
compared with the control group. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of this
study does not allow for inferences of causation. CONCLUSIONS: The results
suggest that better physical health status could predict better mental health in
patients with CFS. Furthermore, they underline disease heterogeneity, suggesting
that reducing this factor in future research is important to better understand
and uncover mechanisms regarding the nature of diverse impairments in these
patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS