Activity perception in chronic fatigue syndrome and asthma: development of a new measure

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to assess a number of dimensions of activity: occupation, exercise, active living habits, leisure, walking, and sedentary behaviours in one measure of daily activity or regular lifestyle. Methods: An activity scale was developed in order to investigate the patterns and types of activity and inactivity in CFS, asthma, and healthy control groups. The types of activities measured included leisure and sport, activity at home, outside, and on the Internet, social activity, work and education, mental effort. The scale also aimed to measure the construct of inactivity, as represented by sedentary behaviours, such as staying in bed during the day. Findings: For the CFS group increased symptoms, fear of movement, and depressed mood were associated with an increase in sedentary behaviours. More online activity in the CFS group was related to more frequent symptoms, stronger beliefs in the seriousness of illness, and higher negative affect. Involvement in community activities or education was associated with stronger beliefs in the seriousness of illness, anxiety and behavioural disengagement, but also with greater physical functioning. Discussion: The results showed a pattern of significant correlations between the scores on the activity scale and other measures of functioning and activity in the CFS and asthma groups. The lack of significant relations between the new activity scale and other measures of activity and functioning within the healthy control group indicated the measure may be more suitable for assessing activity patterns in groups with chronic illness than in healthy people.