Date Presented 04/04/19
The purpose of this study was to compare women with and without Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in social support, participation in occupations, and life satisfaction. The study included 110 women: 41 diagnosed with CFS and 69 healthy controls. Findings demonstrate that women with CFS report lower participation in occupations, less satisfaction with life, and less social support compared to healthy women. These findings suggest that women with CFS may benefit from OT intervention.
Primary Author and Speaker: Michal Avrech Bar
Contributing Authors: Tami Bar-Shalita, Morit Rosenberg, Galia Rahav
BACKGROUND: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by extreme fatigue and by physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms. The prevalence of CFS is three times higher in women than in men. Nevertheless, there is limited research on women diagnosed with CFS from an occupational perspective.
PURPOSE: To compare women with CFS and healthy women, pertaining to parameters of social support, participation in occupations and life satisfaction.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 110 women aged 24-69: 41 diagnosed with CFS and 69 healthy controls. Healthy women were matched based on their age. A physician from the CFS clinic in the hospital where the research took place provided the researcher with the details of women who met the criteria for inclusion in the study group. The control group was recruited through a convenient sample method through advertisement and posting flyers about the study in the community. Participants completed the following questionnaires: The MOS (Medical Outcomes Study) Social Support Survey; the Occupational Questionnaire and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The questionnaires were sent to participants by mail or e-mail, at their convenience and returned to the researcher accordingly. The data analysis included examining the differences between the groups.
RESULTS: Findings demonstrate that women with CFS report lower participation in IADL (Z=-2.28, p<.05) and work (Z=-2.78, p<.01) occupations compared to healthy women. However, they spend more time resting, and enjoy it more. In addition, they report less satisfaction with life (Z=-5.82, p<.001), and less social support (Z=-2.90, p<.01), compared to healthy women.
CONCLUSIONS: Study findings shed light on occupational aspects of women with CFS. Participation of women with CFS and their ability to enjoy various occupations is different from healthy women. Their daily routine is unbalanced and their social support and life satisfaction are relatively low.
IMPACT STATEMENT: These findings suggest that women with CFS may benefit from occupational therapy intervention, focusing on expanding their participation in various occupations while considering their social support resources.
References
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Taylor, R. R., O'Brien, J., Kielhofner, G., Lee, S. W., Katz, B., & Mears, C. (2010). The occupational and quality of life consequences of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in young people. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73, 524-530. doi:10.4276/030802210X12892992239233
Vergauwen, K., Huijnen, I. P., Kos, D., Van de Velde, D., van Eupen, I., & Meeus, M. (2015). Assessment of activity limitations and participation restrictions with persons with chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review. Disability and rehabilitation, 37, 1706-1716. doi:10.3109/09638288.2014.978507
