Does reduced similarity across timescales really mean reduced complexity?
Tom Kindlon, Irish ME/CFS Association - for Information, Support & Research
21 July 2010
Despite a good familiarity with the CFS literature (e.g. I have had nine letters published [1]) and despite taking many mathematics courses in university, including a methods course which included some coverage of non-linear dynamics, I will admit to not fully understanding this paper. However, I think I will not be alone in that and so will put my head above the parapet and ask the following:
This study found CFS cases (compared to controls) showed reduced dissimilarity within timescales as well as reduced similarity across timescales. This is summarised by the authors as CFS patients showing a reduction in complexity. But does the second finding not show the CFS cases demonstrated increased complexity compared to controls for that measure? For measurements within a timeframe, the controls are closer to the scores one would see with random patterns (4.75). For measurements across timescales, the scores of the CFS patients are closer to the scores one would see with random patterns (1.5).
Does reduced similarity across timescales really mean reduced complexity?
21 July 2010
Despite a good familiarity with the CFS literature (e.g. I have had nine letters published [1]) and despite taking many mathematics courses in university, including a methods course which included some coverage of non-linear dynamics, I will admit to not fully understanding this paper. However, I think I will not be alone in that and so will put my head above the parapet and ask the following:
This study found CFS cases (compared to controls) showed reduced dissimilarity within timescales as well as reduced similarity across timescales. This is summarised by the authors as CFS patients showing a reduction in complexity. But does the second finding not show the CFS cases demonstrated increased complexity compared to controls for that measure? For measurements within a timeframe, the controls are closer to the scores one would see with random patterns (4.75). For measurements across timescales, the scores of the CFS patients are closer to the scores one would see with random patterns (1.5).
[1] http://www.iamscientist.com/people/tomkindlon
Competing interests
No competing interests