EVALUATING NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT IN CHRONIC-FATIGUE-SYNDROME

This study was designed to provide an estimate of the prevalence of ne uropsychological impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), to eval uate the concordance between impairment found on standardized tests an d self-reported neuropsychological problems, and to study the relation ship between neuropsychological functioning and fatigue severity and p sychological processes. We adopted an individual approach to determine neuropsychological impairment as contrasted with the group-comparison s approach used in previous studies. Also, correction for premorbid fu nctioning and confounders was done on an individual basis. The results show that a minority of participants were impaired in neuropsychologi cal functioning. There was no relationship between neuropsychological impairment on standardized tests and self-reported memory and concentr ation problems. Neuropsychological functioning was not related to fati gue or depression. Slowed speed of information processing and motor sp eed were related to low levels of physical activity.