A multiconvergent approach to the rehabilitation of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a comparative study

Thomas, Marie; Sadlier, M; Smith, Andrew Paul

doi:10.1016/j.physio.2007.04.013

Cited by 19 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Positive effects of different rehabilitation treatments for patients with CFS were reported from two RCTs . In addition, a number of nonrandomized, observational studies either without or with a control group have been performed. These studies investigated a range of rehabilitation treatments with different interventions, durations and locations of treatment and therapists.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment versus cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2015

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Objectives. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the difference in treatment effect, at 26 and 52 weeks after the start of treatment, between cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT) for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).Design. Multicentre, randomized controlled trial of patients with CFS. Participants were randomly assigned to MRT or CBT.Setting. Four rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands. Subjects. A total of 122 patients participated in the trial.Main outcome measures. Primary outcomes were fatigue measured by the fatigue subscale of the Checklist Individual Strength and health-related quality of life measured by the Short-Form 36. Outcomes were assessed prior to treatment and at 26 and 52 weeks after treatment initiation.Results. A total of 114 participants completed the assessment at 26 weeks, and 112 completed the assessment at 52 weeks. MRT was significantly more effective than CBT in reducing fatigue at 52 weeks. The estimated difference in fatigue between the two treatments was À3.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) À8.07 to 2.03; P = 0.24] at 26 weeks and À5.69 (95% CI À10.62 to À0.76; P = 0.02) at 52 weeks. Patients showed an improvement in quality of life over time, but between-group differences were not significant. Conclusion.This study provides evidence that MRT is more effective in reducing long-term fatigue severity than CBT in patients with CFS. Although implementation in comparable populations can be recommended based on clinical effectiveness, it is advisable to analyse the cost-effectiveness and replicate these findings in another multicentre trial.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment versus cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2015

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“…This included improved mood, fatigue, symptomology, sleep and activity levels following the 10-week therapy sessions. We were also the first researchers to report objective evidence that intervention for CFS could improve cognitive performance 2008). Whilst our findings were encouraging, and they only indicated the intervention's efficacy over a relatively short period of time -that is 6-months post-therapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…Data for the current study included those variables which provided significant improvements previously 2008) continue in the longer-term. Frequency data were used to compare the proportion of patients who continued to report normal function (70% and above and 80% or above) on the Karnofsky scale, activity levels and quality of sleep at 6-months and 3-years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the original RCT (Thomas, Sadlier & Smith, 2006;Thomas, Sadlier & Smith, 2008), patients were recruited from a CFS Outpatient clinic by a single consulting physician. Inclusion criteria for the trial were: (a) patients fitting the CDC criteria for CFS (Fukuda et al, 1994), (b) scores below 70% on the Karnofsky performance scale (Karnofsky, Abelmann, Craver & Burchenal, 1948) indicating significant functional impairment and (c) were willing to attend all therapy and assessment sessions.…”

Section: Previous Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The therapy adopted a multi-dimensional approach which used aspects of behaviour modification, breathing and relaxation techniques, connective tissue massage and psychodynamic counselling. An in-depth description of our randomised controlled trial (RCT) is presented elsewhere (Thomas, Sadlier & Smith, 2006;Thomas, Sadlier & Smith, 2008). However, a brief overview of the trial is outlined below.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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