Table 1 Comparison of Item framework, feature, wording and supporting quotes
Framework | Feature | Example item | Supporting quote |
|---|---|---|---|
Motor features | Can develop weakness | Sometimes, I lose my body strength | I have lost the ability to sustain [my strength] |
Cognitive features | Concentrate on simple tasks | Sometimes, I have to concentrate on what are usually simple things | When reading a magazine or something and I'm getting tired then I find it more difficult to concentrate, it's just more difficult when I'm tired. |
Motivation | Thought puts off doing | The thought of having to do something often puts me off doing it | [Because of] what's happened to get the fatigue you are less likely to want to do the same things anyway. |
Tiredness | Tiredness | By the end of the day, I'm shattered | Just tiredness, all the time tiredness |
Cadence | Carry over | If I've overdone things, I know about it the next day | I try not to do too much, because that'd knacker me up for the next day then |
Precipitating/aggravating factors | Physical exertion induces weakness | I soon become weak after physical effort | [I get fatigued] when doing anything physical, it's surprising that the things I never used to regard as physical are now physical and causing fatigue. |
Relieving factors | day rest restorative | Resting allows me to carry on | [I'd rest for] maybe three to four minutes, something like that. I make sure that it is long enough if it's any shorter then I'm back to square one; it feels like I am not recharged enough. |
Severity | weak at rest | I can become weak even if I've not been doing anything | Now you just do very minimal things that you wouldn't consider as anything and you feel fatigued |
Associated features | Unrefreshing nocturnal sleep | When I wake in the morning, I get the weariness feeling | I wake up in the morning, and get this weariness feeling |