The
Chronic Illness Research Unit has been very busy so far this year!
We’ve published a number of papers on the topic of Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), including the first
paper in our program of work investigating the ‘delayed fatigue
effect’. Whilst post-exertional fatigue is a well-known symptom of
ME/CFS, we are the first group to have specifically looked
into the delayed fatigue many people with ME/CFS experience. This
fatigue can be hours or even days after exertion or activity and
generally resolves only after a signification amount of rest. We are
currently working with Dr Amolak Bansal at St Helier Hospital
to see if there are any immunological changes associated with this type
of post-exertional fatigue.
In
recent years we have also become interested in the condition Mal de
Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS). Very little is known about this
illness which is usually triggered by long haul travel, typically air or
sea journeys. We have been collaborating with Dr Yoon-Hee Cha of UCLA
and our first paper looking at stigma and illness intrusiveness in those
with MdDS is now in press.
Christine and Megan have also been busy writing books for patients. This summer Sheldon Press released Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome: What You Need to Know About CFS/ME by Megan and Invisible Illness: Coping with Misunderstood Conditions by both researchers. Christine and Megan
are now working on a book about Irritable Bowel Syndrome which will be out in October 2015.
We’d
like to thank everyone who has participated in our studies this year;
we couldn’t do any of this important research without your
time and participation. If you have any questions about our current
projects please email our group address: cirt@uel.ac.uk
Arroll,
M.A., Attree, E.A., Cha, Y-H., Dancey, C.P. (2014). The relationship
between stigma, illness intrusiveness and depression
in mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS). Journal of Health Psychology.
DOI: 10.1177/1359105314553046
Megan
A. Arroll, Elizabeth A. Attree, John M. O'Leary & Christine P.
Dancey (2014) The delayed fatigue effect in myalgic
encephalomyelitis/chronic
fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior,
2(2), 57-63. DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2014.892755
Attree,
E.A., Arroll, M.A., Dancey, C.P., Griffith, C., & Bansal, A.S.
(2014) Psychosocial factors involved in memory and cognitive
failures in people with Myalgic Encephalopathy/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
(ME/CFS). Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 67–76.
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