RESEARCHERS in York have appealed for young sufferers of the debilitating affliction ME to come forward to help with a pioneering pilot study that aims to identify the best way of treating the condition.

The two year study, organised by York Health Trust and supported by PPP Healthcare, aims to look at the two main alternative forms of treatment for ME, otherwise known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

One group of patients will be encouraged to avoid stress and too much activity, taking plenty of rest and doing only what they feel comfortable with.

It's an approach supported by many ME sufferers who claim trying to force themselves to do too much exercise can cause a relapse.

The second group of patients will be put on a rehabilitation programme which includes graded exercise and encourages a return to normal eating and sleeping patterns, social life and exercise.

Patients who volunteer for the study will be assigned to one of the two programmes at random.

Over two years, their progress will be monitored by paediatricians from York District Hospital and psychiatrists from the Lime Trees child, adolescent and family unit in York's Shipton Road.

The researchers will monitor the children's quality of life, their ability to socialise, take part in activities, their self-esteem, and whether they are able to cope with school.

Dr Barry Wright, consultant child and family psychiatrist at the Lime Trees, says it is the first such study of its kind comparing the two main approaches to the treatment of ME.

"It's very important," he says. "We need to know what is the best treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in children. And the truth is that nobody has ever compared these two approaches before."

Twenty volunteers from the York area aged between nine and 18 who suffer from ME are needed to take part in the study.

Dr Wright says patients on both programmes will be offered the best attention and support available - and will be able to withdraw at any time if they are not happy. But the results, he says, may help doctors decide once and for all on the best treatment for the condition.

"It's a very incapacitating condition," he says. "Especially for children. If a 26-year-old develops the condition, it can be very unpleasant. But for children, who are developing emotionally, socially and educationally, it can have huge consequences."

- If you are interested, contact Lime Trees research assistant Jo Jordan on 01904 652908 for more information.