Prof Sarah Tyson, University of Manchester (Principal Investigator)
Email: sarah.tyson@manchester.ac.uk
Many of you will already be familiar with the ongoing work to develop the ME Association’s Clinical Assessment Toolkit (MEA‑CAT). This toolkit brings together a set of validated questionnaires that capture the main health‑related challenges faced by people with ME/CFS.
A defining feature of this project is that it has been led by — and co‑produced with — people with ME/CFS. Thousands of individuals have contributed feedback, ensuring the toolkit reflects the issues that genuinely matter to the community. In short, it is designed by us, for us
What is the toolkit used for?
The MEA‑CAT was originally developed for clinicians working in specialist ME/CFS services, helping them assess and monitor patients more effectively. However, it is equally useful for individuals with ME/CFS who want to better describe their symptoms and difficulties.
People can generate summary reports for personal use or to share with family, employers, or health and social care professionals. The toolkit can also be used to track changes over time, support service evaluation, or contribute to research.
Current Availability
The toolkit is now accessible to anyone who wishes to use it:
- Autonom‑e App: You can explore the toolkit and complete assessments for free. A small subscription (£2.99/month) is required to generate scores and summary reports.
- Free downloads: Hard‑copy and electronic versions of the questionnaires can be downloaded at no cost.
Progress on Research Papers
The MEA‑CAT team is now focused on publishing the research underpinning the toolkit.
- The first paper has recently been published: Development and Content Validity of the Clinical Needs Assessment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CNAME) (Tyson, 2026, Health Expectations).
The first paper has recently been published: Development and Content Validity of the Clinical Needs Assessment for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CNAME) (Tyson, 2026, Health Expectations).
- A second paper — summarising what participants said about their needs and what this means for specialist ME/CFS services — is currently in progress.
- Additional papers covering the other components of the toolkit are also being prepared.