The Fennell Phase Inventory in a Belgian Sample

J of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 53-69, 2004
ISSN: 1057-3321 Pub Date: 10/14/2004


Elke Van Hoof PhD (Clin Psych), Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of
Physical education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit, Brussel, Belgium,
Elke.Van.Hoof@vub.ac.be
Danny Coomans PhD, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, James Cook
University , Australia
Raymond Cluydts Clin Psych, PhD, Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit
Brussel, Brussel, 1090, Belgium,
Kenny De Meirleir MD, PhD, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Physical
education and Physical Therapy, Vrije Universiteit, Brussel, Belgium


Abstract:

The present study is a follow-up of the research conducted by Jason, Fennell et
al. (1995, 1999, 2000) on a multistage theory for chronic fatigue syndrome
(CFS). This multistage model is a very promising method for the evaluation of
patients suffering from CFS and could facilitate the appropriate selection of
various psychosocial therapies that improve the patient's ability to cope with
their illness.

Four predictive factors emerged with moderate to excellent reliability. A
Spearman's rank correlation revealed positive correlations between our
four-factor model and the three-factor model identified by Jason et al. (1999).
A correlation matrix between the dimensional psychological investigation and the
Fennell Phases revealed characteristics as suggested by previous research.

Biological parameters varied over the different phases suggesting an important
interaction between body and psyche.