Memory dysfunction in fatiguing illness: examining interference and distraction in short-term memory

This study investigated short-term memory capacity in three fatiguing illnesses: multiple sclerosis (MS); chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and depression (DEP) using a proactive interference (PI) and a Brown-Peterson distraction paradigm. There were no significant differences in build-up and release from PI relative to controls, although the CFS and MS groups recalled significantly fewer words overall. All three fatigue groups evidenced recall impairment after a brief distractor. Furthermore, brief distraction resulted in impaired immediate and delayed recall in the MS and CFS groups compared to controls. Results indicate that fatiguing illness groups, particularly MS and CFS, are vulnerable to limited disruption in short-term memory processing and this can affect recall.