Learning to feel tired: A learning trajectory towards chronic fatigue, 2018, Lenaert et al.

[Campanula]

Abstract

Chronic fatigue complaints are frequently reported in the general population and fatigue ranks among the most commonly reported symptoms in chronic disease. In contrast to its high prevalence and impact on quality of life, relatively little is understood about the etiology of chronic fatigue. We present a cognitive-behavioral framework, the ‘ALT+F’ model, that conceptualizes fatigue from an associative learning perspective, and we will evaluate the current evidence for this position. Central to this framework is the notion that interoceptive and exteroceptive stimuli can become associated with the fatigue experience. Consequently, these stimuli may acquire the capacity to elicit fatigue as well as anticipatory fear-related avoidance behavior. We will argue that associative learning processes may contribute to the development of chronic fatigue, fear of fatigue, avoidance of fatigue and activity, and eventually, functional disability. The extent to which associative learning processes give rise to chronic fatigue and fear-related avoidance behavior may depend on a number of risk factors, including perceptual-cognitive biases, sensitization, fatigue catastrophizing, and excessive generalization. The presented framework offers a new window on treatment and intervention options for chronic fatigue.

Link: Learning to feel tired: A learning trajectory towards chronic fatigue - ScienceDirect

 

[Campanula]

I don't even know where to start with this one....

 

[Wonko]

 

[Hoopoe]

We already had the PACE trial which tested a similar idea and showed it doesn't work.

These people may have been taught to believe that they have a theoretical understanding of ME/CFS but it's a false belief.

 

[chrisb]

I think the problem may be that the article has not translated well from double-Dutch.

When exactly does this associative learning take place. You are fit and healthy and then within a short space of time you are "fatigued". What did you learn in that time to overcome the learning of twenty or thirty years?

 

[Peter T]

When exactly does this associative learning take place. You are fit and healthy and then within a short space of time you are "fatigued". What did you learn in that time to overcome the learning of twenty or thirty years?

Also the inverse should be asked, why does absolutely everyone who has ever had a substantial illness not develop idiopathic chronic fatigue as well a host of other chronic symptoms resulting from associative learning?

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

has not translated well from double-Dutch.

Now, now, you wouldn't want to be considered Dutchist would you?

These people are obviously right. When I read "Learning to feel tired..." through my exteroception

Hey presto, I feel fatigue coming on, cos I've read this stuff before . It isn't associative though, it just makes me feel tired cos I can't stick it.

I tried ALT+F

I get ƒ.

 

[Louie41]

I don't even know where to start with this one....

May I suggest by putting it in the bin?

 

[rvallee]

Definitely quit your day job, whoever wrote this trash.

 

[Snowdrop]

I think there's a typo before the text. Says it was written in 2018. Perhaps should be 1820?

 

[Trish]

I think there's a typo before the text. Says it was written in 2018. Perhaps should be 1820?

Or 1280.

 

[Forbin]

For an abstract about the 'ALT+F' model, it's remarkably full of...

.

 

[hellytheelephant]

Or 1280.

Leeches and witch- burning would seem to be the logical next step

 

[Trish]

Leeches and witch- burning would seem to be the logical next step

And casting out devils.

 

[James Morris-Lent]

I'm feeling like ALT-F4ing this shit

or CMD-Q for my fellow mac gang members

 

[alktipping]

bringing back tarring and feathering for quack/fraudsters should reduce this kind of tripe .

 

[DokaGirl]

I think the problem may be that the article has not translated well from double-Dutch.

When exactly does this associative learning take place. You are fit and healthy and then within a short space of time you are "fatigued". What did you learn in that time to overcome the learning of twenty or thirty years?

Exactly. I've always thought that was odd, and incorrect. Many pwME develop it in their 30s. So how come they waited until then to get ME? They recovered from previous viruses. All of a sudden these previously healthy active people take an entirely different tack, and decide they are afraid of exercise and exertion.

Another illogical belief.

 

[Hutan]

If I tried to write a parody of BPS thinking, I know I could not do as well as these people have in their abstract.
It's worth celebrating these people here:
Bert Lenaert
Yannick Boddez
Johan W.S.Vlaeyen
Caroline M.van Heugten
from Maastrict University in the Netherlands, and the University of Leuven, Belgium

the ‘ALT+F’ model

The only appropriate initial response to this involves the F word. I was delighted to scroll down through the reactions here and find that many of you felt the same.

 

[Hutan]

I actually got myself quite worked up over this, which I guess is silly, because these authors probably just slapped this piece of patient-blaming twaddle together, added another publication to their tally and blithely moved on to write prejudiced ignorant nonsense about something else.

@Snowdrop actually just said a lot of what I thought about saying here, on another thread
Article in Verywell:Treating Post-Exertional Malaise in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

People who write this rubbish forget that they are talking about real people, people who of course have tried to exercise their way out of this illness and people who are deeply harmed by their lazy unevidenced speculation.

I could write more about the specific experiences of my children and I, but most of you have heard most of it already. Nothing about our experience fits with this proposed 'Alt Framework'.

 

[Sean]

Reality says NO.