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Therapeutics
Cognitive behaviour therapy reduced fatigue severity and functional impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebm.6.5.157

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    (2001) Lancet 357, 841. Prins JB, Bleijenberg G, Bazelmans E, et al.. Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a multicentre randomised controlled trial.. Mar 17;. :. –7.
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 QUESTION: In patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), how effective is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) in reducing fatigue and functional improvement?

    Design

    Multicentre, randomised {allocation concealed*}†, unblinded,* controlled trial with 8 months follow up (follow up at 14 mo was <80%).

    Setting

    3 mental health settings in the Netherlands: 2 based in university medical centres and 1 in a mental health institute.

    Patients

    278 patients between 18 and 60 years of age (mean age 37 y, 79% women) with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for CFS, a score of ≥40 on the fatigue severity subscale of the checklist individual strength (CIS), and a score of ≥800 on the sickness impact profile. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy and previous or current participation in CFS research.

    Intervention

    93 patients were allocated to CBT (sixteen 1 h sessions over 8 mo), 94 to guided support groups (eleven 1.5 h meetings over 8 mo), and 91 to the control …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: Health Insurance Council.

    • For correspondence: Ms J B Prins, Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Fax +31 24 3613425.

    • ↵* See glossary.

    • ↵† Information provided by the author.