Maria Pedersen

• Alme, Tomas Nordheim; Andreasson, Anna; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Bakken, Anne Karen; Beadsworth, Michael BJ & Boye, Birgitte [Show all 51 contributors for this article] (2023). Chronic fatigue syndromes: real illnesses that people can recover from. Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. ISSN 0281-3432. 41(4), p. 372–376. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2023.2235609. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The ‘Oslo Chronic Fatigue Consortium’ consists of researchers and clinicians who question the current narrative that chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-covid conditions, are incurable diseases. Instead, we propose an alternative view, based on research, which offers more hope to patients. Whilst we regard the symptoms of these conditions as real, we propose that they are more likely to reflect the brain's response to a range of biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than a specific disease process. Possible causes include persistent activation of the neurobiological stress response, accompanied by associated changes in immunological, hormonal, cognitive and behavioural domains. We further propose that the symptoms are more likely to persist if they are perceived as threatening, and all activities that are perceived to worsen them are avoided. We also question the idea that the best way to cope with the illness is by prolonged rest, social isolation, and sensory deprivation.Instead, we propose that recovery is often possible if patients are helped to adopt a less threatening understanding of their symptoms and are supported in a gradual return to normal activities. Finally, we call for a much more open and constructive dialogue about these conditions. This dialogue should include a wider range of views, including those of patients who have recovered from them.

• Øie, Merete Glenne; Buer, Sofie; Sletten Bølgen, Maria; Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre & Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm (2022). Subjective and objective cognitive function in adolescent with chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. ISSN 0022-3999. 163, p. 1–6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111063. Full text in Research Archive
• Fevang, Børre; Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm; Mollnes, Tom Eirik; Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre & Michelsen, Annika Elisabet [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2021). Lasting Immunological Imprint of Primary Epstein-Barr Virus Infection With Associations to Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation and Fatigue. Frontiers in Immunology. ISSN 1664-3224. 12. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.715102. Full text in Research Archive
• Malik, Sadaf; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Pedersen, Maria; Mangersnes, Julie; Trondalen, Gro & Van Roy, Betty [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). Cognitive–behavioural therapy combined with music therapy for chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Paediatrics Open. ISSN 2399-9772. 4:e000797, p. 1–10. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000797. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in chronic fatigue (CF) syndrome. However, CBT has not been investigated in postinfectious CF, nor is it known whether addition of therapeutic elements from other disciplines might be useful. We explored combined CBT and music therapy intervention for CF following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in adolescents. Methods Adolescents (12–20 years old) participating in a postinfectious cohort study who developed CF 6 months after an acute EBV infection were eligible for the present study. A combined CBT and music therapy programme (10 therapy sessions and related homework) was compared with care as usual in a randomised controlled design. Therapists and participants were blinded to outcome evaluation. Endpoints included physical activity (steps/day), symptom scores, recovery rate and possible harmful effects, but the study was underpowered regarding efficacy. Total follow-up time was 15 months. Power analyses suggested that 120 participants would be needed in order to detect a moderate effect size. Results A total of 91 individuals with postinfectious CF were eligible, and a total of 43 were included (21 intervention group, 22 control group). Concern regarding school absence due to therapy sessions was the main reason for declining participation. Seven individuals left the study during the first 3 months, leaving 15 in the intervention group and 21 in the control group at 3 months follow-up. No harmful effects were recorded, and compliance with appointment was high. In intention-to-treat analyses, the primary endpoint (number of steps/day) did not differ significantly between the intervention group and the control group (difference (95% CI) =–1298 (–4874 to 2278)). Secondary outcome measures were also not significantly different among the two groups. Conclusion An intervention study of combined CBT and music therapy in postinfectious CF is feasible. A fully powered trial is needed to evaluate efficacy; participants’ concern regarding school absence should be properly addressed to secure recruitment. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials ID: NCT02499302, registered July 2015. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000797

• Brodwall, Elias Myrstad; Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre & Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm (2020). Pain in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. ISSN 1877-8860. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2020-0031.
• Trondalen, Gro; Mangersnes, Julie; Bonde, Lars Ole; Malik, Sadaf; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre & Rødevand, Linn Nilsen [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2020). Music therapy for chronic fatigue following epstein-barr virus infection in adolescents. Music and Medicine. ISSN 1943-863X. 12(2), p. 84–91. doi: 10.47513/mmd.v12i2.679.
• Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Pedersen, Maria; Skovlund, Eva & Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm (2019). EBV-requisitioning physicians' guess on fatigue state 6 months after acute EBV infection. BMJ Paediatrics Open. ISSN 2399-9772. 3(1). doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2018-000390. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Maria (2019). Chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic pain conditions - Vitally protective systems gone wrong. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. ISSN 1877-8860. 19(4), p. 651–657. doi: 10.1515/sjpain-2019-0072.
• Kristiansen, Miriam Skjerven; Stabursvik, Julie; O'Leary, Elise Catriona Solberg; Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre & Leegaard, Truls Michael [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2019). Clinical symptoms and markers of disease mechanisms in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection: An exploratory cross-sectional study. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. ISSN 0889-1591. 80, p. 551–563. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.04.040. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Godang, Kristin; Leegaard, Truls Michael; Osnes, Liv T. N. & Skovlund, Eva [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2019). Fatigue in Epstein-Barr virus infected adolescents and healthy controls: A prospective multifactorial association study. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. ISSN 0022-3999. 121, p. 46–59. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2019.04.008.
• Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Godang, Kristin; Leegaard, Truls Michael; Osnes, Liv T. N. & Skovlund, Eva [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2019). Lifestyle factors during acute Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents predict physical activity six months later. Acta Paediatrica. ISSN 0803-5253. 108(8), p. 1521–1526. doi: 10.1111/apa.14728. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Maria; Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre; Godang, Kristin; Leegaard, Truls Michael; Osnes, Liv T. N. & Skovlund, Eva [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2018). Predictors of chronic fatigue in adolescents six months after acute Epstein-Barr virus infection: a prospective cohort study. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. ISSN 0889-1591. 75, p. 94–100. doi: 10.1016/j.bbi.2018.09.023. Full text in Research Archive
• Pedersen, Maria; Ekstedt, Mirjam; Småstuen, Milada C; Wyller, Vegard Bruun Bratholm; Sulheim, Dag & Fagermoen, Frode Even [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2017). Sleep-wake rhythm disturbances and perceived sleep in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Sleep Research. ISSN 0962-1105. 26(5), p. 595–601. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12547. Show summary

  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by long-lasting, disabling and unexplained fatigue that is often accompanied by unrefreshing sleep. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate sleep–wake rhythm and perceived sleep in adolescent CFS patients compared to healthy individuals. We analysed baseline data on 120 adolescent CFS patients and 39 healthy individuals included in the NorCAPITAL project. Activity measures from a uniaxial accelerometer (activPAL) were used to estimate mid-sleep time (mid-point of a period with sleep) and time in bed. Scores from the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire (KSQ) were also assessed. The activity measures showed that the CFS patients stayed significantly longer in bed, had a significantly delayed mid-sleep time and a more varied sleep–wake rhythm during weekdays compared with healthy individuals. On the KSQ, the CFS patients reported significantly more insomnia symptoms, sleepiness, awakening problems and a longer sleep onset latency than healthy individuals. These results might indicate that disrupted sleep–wake phase could contribute to adolescent CFS; however, further investigations are warranted.

View all works in Cristin