Cognitive reserve as a protective factor against cognitive impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent exhaustion and substantial declines in social and psychological functioning. Cognitive impairment (CI) is prevalent in CFS, affecting cognitive domains, such as memory, attention, and information processing. The concept of cognitive reserve (CR), positing that life experiences contribute to resilience against cognitive decline, is relevant in understanding the variability in CI among CFS patients. This study investigated the relationship between CR and CI in individuals with CFS using standardized measures, 91 participants were assessed for CR and CI. Non-parametric statistical analyses, including Spearman rank correlation, Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> Test, Kruskal-Wallis <i>H</i> Test, and ordinal logistic regression were used. Results revealed a strong negative correlation between CR and CI, suggesting that higher CR is protective against CI in CFS. While gender and age did not significantly influence CR or CI, the severity of CFS was found to be a significant predictor of both variables. Individuals with more severe CFS exhibited lower CR and higher CI, emphasizing the importance of CR in mitigating cognitive decline in this condition. These findings underscore the protective role of CR against CI in CFS, suggesting potential benefits of interventions aimed at enhancing CR irrespective of gender. Future research should explore strategies to bolster CR as a therapeutic approach for managing CI in CFS more effectively.