Dolphin
Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Subject: Research Opportunity for Canadian Youth and Young Adults with ME/CFS
December 18, 2025
Hello!
My name is Brian Abernethy and I am a PhD student in the Environmental and Life Sciences Department at Trent University in Canada. I am working on a research project under the supervision of Dr. Sarah West.
I am inviting you to participate in a research project that aims to understand the effect Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) symptoms may have on the quality of life and school participation of young people living in Canada.
If you have already signed up for this study but did not receive an email containing a link to the questionnaire, we are sorry. If this has happened to you, we ask that you sign up for the study again or contact Brian at brianabernethy@trentu.ca.
This study is open to Canadian residents, aged 14 – 29, who meet one of the following conditions:
1.
Are enrolled in high school or post-secondary school and self-report an ME/CFS diagnosis or experience unexplained fatigue.
2.
Are enrolled in high school or post-secondary school and are without health conditions (control group).
3.
Have had to withdraw from high school or post-secondary school due to ME/CFS or unexplained fatigue.
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to complete two online surveys, once in December of 2025 and again in May 2026. Each survey is approximately 50 minutes long for a total time commitment of 1 ½ - 2 hours. The surveys can be completed at your own pace and with assistance.
By participating in this study, you will provide important information that may help improve education accommodations, healthcare approaches, and quality of life of individuals living with ME/CFS.
If you wish to participate, please click on the following link:
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
trentu.qualtrics.com
If you consent to participate in the study, you will be asked some questions to see if you are eligible. If you are eligible for the study, you will be asked to provide an email address that the research team can contact you at. Participation is completely voluntary and you can elect to withdraw from the study at any time.
This study has been approved by Trent University Research Ethics Board #29131. If you have any questions about your rights as a research participant, please contact the Trent University Ethics Board by phone at 705-748-1011 ext. 7866 or by email at annakisiala@trentu.ca.
For all other questions about the study, please contact Brian Abernethy at brianabernethy@trentu.ca.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration of support for this research.
Sincerely,
Brian Abernethy
PhD Student
Trent University
brianabernethy@trentu.ca
Dr. Sarah West
Student Supervisor
Dean of Science
Trent University
sarahwest@trentu.ca
