McCue, P, Scholey, A B, Herman, C et al. · Journal of telemedicine and telecare · 2002 · DOI
This study tested whether a telephone-based brain function test could accurately detect thinking problems in people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared two versions of the same test—one on a computer and one done by telephone—in 30 people with ME/CFS and 30 healthy people. Both versions showed that people with ME/CFS were significantly slower at thinking tasks involving attention, memory, and focus, confirming that cognitive problems are real and measurable in this illness.
Many people with ME/CFS have severe mobility limitations that make it difficult to travel to research centers or clinics for testing. This study shows that cognitive testing can be done reliably by telephone, making it easier for patients—particularly those with the most severe disease—to participate in research and have their cognitive problems formally documented.
This study does not prove what causes cognitive impairment in ME/CFS or whether it worsens over time. It also does not test whether cognitive problems relate to post-exertional malaise (PEM) or other specific ME/CFS symptoms, and the relatively small sample size and 2002 date limit generalizability to current populations.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
McCue, P, Scholey, A B, Herman, C, & Wesnes, K A (2002). Validation of a telephone cognitive assessment test battery for use in chronic fatigue syndrome.. Journal of telemedicine and telecare. https://doi.org/10.1258/135763302320939220
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-mccue-2002-validation-telephone,
author = {McCue, P and Scholey, A B and Herman, C and Wesnes, K A},
title = {Validation of a telephone cognitive assessment test battery for use in chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Journal of telemedicine and telecare},
year = {2002},
doi = {10.1258/135763302320939220},
note = {PubMed: 12537921},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/mccue-2002-validation-telephone},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-28. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/mccue-2002-validation-telephone
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