Attentional bias towards health-threat information in chronic fatigue syndrome

J Psychosom Res. 2008 Jul;65(1):47-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.03.008.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) show an attentional bias towards health-threat information.

Methods: Attentional bias (AB) was assessed in individuals with CFS and healthy controls using a visual probe task which presented health-threat and neutral words and pictures for 500 ms. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess CFS symptoms, depression, anxiety, and social desirability.

Results: Compared to a healthy control group, the CFS group showed an enhanced AB towards heath-threat stimuli relative to neutral stimuli. The AB was not influenced by the type of stimulus (pictures vs. words).

Conclusion: The finding of an AB towards health-threat information in individuals with CFS is supportive of models of CFS which underlie cognitive behavior therapy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Control Groups
  • Emotions
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / diagnosis*
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / psychology
  • Fear / psychology*
  • Female
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Psychological
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Verbal Behavior
  • Visual Perception