Thanks Valentjin.
OK, so I understand why we might be suspicious, or feel it is a waste of time. I think my confusion comes from this quote by Courtney Alexander Miller in the comments section:
Dr. Nath explained that there is clear brain imaging on patients with FMD which shows where the brain signals stop between intent to move and muscle control. Contrasting that with brain imaging pre- and post exercise challenge could be illuminating.
If there is a clear pattern to brain imaging in FMD patients, then contrasting their brain scans with ours might do something to
disprove the whole psychosomatic ME/CFS theory. And on the off-chance that they share notable similarities...well I admit, that would probably have a net negative effect on our efforts to get real research done in the future. Nonetheless, I cringe at the necessity of avoiding research because the findings might be misinterpreted into something that damages us politically.
Again, I understand that the case for not using FMD controls can be made entirely on the basis of trying to reach statistical significance, as you have--and this makes sense to me. It is the other perspective that I am...uneasy with.
On something of a tangent: Can anyone guess how much they have to pay healthy controls to get what I assume will be multiple spinal taps? Ouch!