Table 2.
Mean functioning levels of participants (N = 177).
| Normal results | Abnormal results | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| (N = 66) | (N = 111) | ||
| M (SD) | M (SD) | ||
| SF-36 Physical functioning | 30.40 (23.35) | 21.77 (18.28) | ** |
| Bell ability scale | 36.18 (16.14) | 32.33 (14.43) | * |
| All PEM symptoms | 67.65 (19.93) | 72.74 (17.40) | * |
| Muscle factor | 61.58 (23.67) | 66.88 (23.00) | |
| Muscle weakness after minor exertion | 57.14 (28.90) | 62.97 (29.78) | |
| Muscle fatigability after minor exertion | 60.77 (28.63) | 69.46 (24.82) | * |
| Muscle pain after minor exertion | 55.08 (29.35) | 60.97 (29.82) | |
| Next day soreness or fatigue after non-strenuous, everyday activities | 66.54 (23.91) | 72.13 (21.22) | |
| Dead, heavy feeling after starting to exercise | 68.27 (27.61) | 70.60 (28.15) | |
| General factor | 70.17 (19.42) | 75.08 (16.55) | * |
| Post-exertional malaise | 70.70 (21.15) | 75.24 (19.44) | |
| Prolonged generalized fatigue or malaise following previously tolerable levels of exercise | 80.16 (21.26) | 78.74 (23.24) | |
| Post-exertional exhaustion that is immediate or delayed | 69.62 (22.09) | 77.83 (16.84) | ** |
| Symptoms worsen with exertion | 72.85 (21.66) | 80.78 (19.22) | ** |
| Substantial reduction in pre-illness activity level due to low threshold physical and mental fatigability | 80.08 (24.67) | 84.70 (18.99) | |
| Fatigue/extreme tiredness | 74.04 (20.29) | 77.61 (18.32) | |
| Marked, rapid physical or cognitive fatigability in response to exertion | 66.21 (25.07) | 72.20 (23.18) | |
| Exhaustion not relieved by rest | 65.96 (26.29) | 75.23 (21.72) | ** |
| Prolonged worsening of symptoms after physical activity | 66.02 (23.72) | 74.06 (22.14) | * |
| Minimum exercise makes you physically tired | 71.15 (25.48) | 73.75 (22.40) | |
| Physically drained or sick after mild activity | 66.73 (23.83) | 70.30 (22.74) | |
| Mentally tired after the slightest effort | 59.62 (23.46) | 65.00 (24.76) |
*
p < 0.05,
**
p < 0.01.