Abstract
Objectives
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is common in children and adolescents; however, little is known about how we should define recovery. This study aims to explore perceptions of recovery held by paediatric CFS/ME patients and their parents.
Methods
Children with CFS/ME and their parents were recruited through a single specialist paediatric CFS/ME service. Data was collected through semi structured interviews with children and parents. The interview questions explored how participants would know if they/their child had recovered from CFS/ME. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns within the data.
Results
Twenty-one children with CFS/ME, twenty mothers and two fathers were interviewed. Some children found it hard to define recovery as the illness had become a ‘new normal’. Others thought recovery would indicate returning to pre-morbid levels of activity or achieving the same activity level as peers (socialising, education, and leisure activities). Increased flexibility in routines and the absence of payback after activities were important. The interviews highlighted the concept of recovery as highly individual with wide variation in symptoms experienced, type and level of activity that would signify recovery. Parents describe how changes in mood and motivation would signify their child’s recovery, but children did not reflect on this.
Conclusion
Some parents and children struggle to define what would constitute complete recovery. However, signs of recovery were more easily identifiable. Definitions of recovery went far beyond symptom reduction and were focussed towards rebuilding lives.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is common in children and adolescents; however, little is known about how we should define recovery. This study aims to explore perceptions of recovery held by paediatric CFS/ME patients and their parents.
Methods
Children with CFS/ME and their parents were recruited through a single specialist paediatric CFS/ME service. Data was collected through semi structured interviews with children and parents. The interview questions explored how participants would know if they/their child had recovered from CFS/ME. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns within the data.
Results
Twenty-one children with CFS/ME, twenty mothers and two fathers were interviewed. Some children found it hard to define recovery as the illness had become a ‘new normal’. Others thought recovery would indicate returning to pre-morbid levels of activity or achieving the same activity level as peers (socialising, education, and leisure activities). Increased flexibility in routines and the absence of payback after activities were important. The interviews highlighted the concept of recovery as highly individual with wide variation in symptoms experienced, type and level of activity that would signify recovery. Parents describe how changes in mood and motivation would signify their child’s recovery, but children did not reflect on this.
Conclusion
Some parents and children struggle to define what would constitute complete recovery. However, signs of recovery were more easily identifiable. Definitions of recovery went far beyond symptom reduction and were focussed towards rebuilding lives.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e000525 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | BMJ Paediatrics Open |
| Volume | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Dec 2019 |
Keywords
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- patient perspective
- qualitative research