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Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

From: Fatigue In Teenagers on the interNET - The FITNET Trial. A randomized clinical trial of web-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: study protocol. [ISRCTN59878666]

Inclusion criteria

   (1) The participant has given written informed consent

   (2) CFS diagnosis according to the CDC criteria [1]

   (3) Adolescent between 12-18 years old at inclusion

   (4) Fatigue severity subscale (CIS-20) score ≥40 (healthy population's mean plus two SD) [19]

   (5) Physical functioning (Child Health Questionnaire) score <85 (healthy population's mean minus two SD) and/or school participation ≤85% (healthy population's mean minus two SD) in last two weeks [20]

Exclusion criteria

   (1) Inadequate control of Dutch language by child or parent

   (2) No availability of computer hardware and internet connection

   (3) Suicide risk as assessed on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) [21]

   (4) Cognitive retardation (when indicated an IQ-test will be conducted; IQ <85 will be excluded)

   (5) Score greater than or equal to 44 (healthy population's mean plus two SD) on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC) [23]

   (6) Score greater than or equal to 16 (healthy population's mean minus two SD) on the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) [21]