Interpersonal relationships, stress and symptoms in ME/CFS.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How does interpersonal communication in couples influence stress reactivity and symptoms in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS)?
IRAS ID
279193
Contact name
Sarah Peters
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis; CFS/ME) is a contested disorder that produces a range of symptoms, such as persistent, severe fatigue (Baker & Shaw, 2007). People with CFS (PwCFS) face stressful events daily, e.g., attending doctors’ appointments and negative interactions with family/healthcare professionals. These challenges can put stress on a romantic relationship. Research has shown the way partners interact can influence illness outcomes for PwCFS (Band et al., 2015). PwCFS may feel they are disbelieved, or the legitimacy of their illness is being questioned (Dickson et al., 2007). This is likely to be stressful for PwCFS. This research suggests significant others play an important role in the experience of CFS for PwCFS.
Due to the likeliness of stress being a regular experience for PwCFS, it is important to explore what aspects of a romantic relationship provoke a stress response/ make the PwCFS feel stressed. The research question is ‘How does interpersonal communication in couples influence stress reactivity and symptoms in people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME)?’. The study will use a marital interaction discussion paradigm to explore whether certain communication behaviours are related to stress reactivity (biological and psychological) and symptoms in PwCFS. Participants (dyads made up of PwCFS and their partner) will take part in a marital interaction task on Zoom, and be recruited through NHS sites. This study is longitudinal with a 3 month follow up of CFS symptoms.
This question is of importance, as through exploring the interactions between communication behaviours, stress reactivity, and symptoms, we will gain insight to better support PwCFS and partners with managing CFS. Individualised support can also be given to partners of PwCFS. This study can help PwCFS and their partners to understand the impact their relationship has on symptoms, and has implications for health professionals and family therapists.
References
Baker, R., & Shaw, E. J. (2007). Guidelines: Diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy): Summary of NICE guidance. In British Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39302.509005.AE
Band, R., Wearden, A., & Barrowclough, C. (2015). Patient outcomes in association with significant other responses to chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review of the literature. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12093
Dickson, A., Knussen, C., & Flowers, P. (2007). Stigma and the delegitimation experience: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of people living with chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychology and Health, 22(7), 851-867.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0325
Date of REC Opinion
13 Jan 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion