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Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

From: Investigating neural mechanisms of change of cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Inclusion criteria

1.

Female

2.

Age between 18 and 55 years

Additional inclusion criteria for CFS patients

1.

CFS diagnosis according to the CDC-criteria ([66]; Reeves et al., [2]);

2.

Fatigue severity subscale (CIS) score ≥40

3.

Severely disabled, defined by scoring ≥ 700 on the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP)

4.

Eligible for treatment with CBT

Additional inclusion criteria for healthy controls

5.

Fatigue severity subscale (CIS) score ≤ 35

Exclusion criteria

1.

Current use of psychotropic medication (e.g. antidepressants)

2.

Contra-indication for MR-examinations (e.g. claustrophobia)

3.

Abnormal hearing or (uncorrected) vision

4.

Insufficient command of the Dutch language to fill out questionnaires, understand task instructions or perform the neuropsychological tests

5.

Restricted function of the right hand that confounds handgrip performance for the fMRI tasks

Additional exclusion criteria for healthy controls

6.

Current psychological or psychiatric disordera,b

7.

(History of) alcohol or substance abusea

8.

Severe obesity (BMI ≥ 40)a

9.

Chronic disease or pain condition (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)

10.

Current acute pain condition

  1. athese criteria are part of the CDC criteria for CFS
  2. bas revealed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.)