Cognitive functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome and depression: A preliminary comparison

K. B. Schmaling, J. D. DiClementi, C. M. Cullum, J. F. Jones

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study used a brief battery of neuropsychological measures to examine the performance of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (N = 16) and patients in a major depressive episode (N = 23). The overall neuropsychological performance of the CFS group was not significantly different from depressed patients, and both groups scored within normal limits on most measures. Variability of neuropsychologic performance was in general unrelated to level of depressive symptoms. The results are discussed in terms of the validity of the cognitive criterion for the CFS diagnosis. Subjective complaints of cognitive dysfunction by CFS patients in light of the lack of objective evidence for the same are considered in terms of a somatic vigilance hypothesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)383-388
Number of pages6
JournalPsychosomatic Medicine
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994

Keywords

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • depression
  • neuropsychological assessment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cognitive functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome and depression: A preliminary comparison'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this