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Dai L, Liu Z, Zhou W, Zhang L, Miao M, Wang L, Hua H, Wang B, Ji G. Sijunzi decoction, a classical Chinese herbal formula, improves fatigue symptoms with changes in gut microbiota in chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 129:155636. [PMID: 38640860 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUD Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) severely impact patients' quality of life and lacks well-acknowledged drug therapy. Sijunzi decoction (SJZD), a classical Chinese herbal formula, has been widely used for spleen deficiency syndrome like fatigue in China. However, there is a lack of evidence on the efficacy of SJZD in treating CFS. PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SJZD for CFS. STUDY DESIGN A multi-center, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial. METHODS Participants with definite diagnoses of CFS and spleen deficiency syndrome were randomly assigned in 1:1 ratio to receive SJZD or placebo granules for 2 months. The primary outcome was the change of Chalder fatigue questionnaire (CFQ) scoring after treatment. Other outcomes included changes in short form-36 physical function (SF36-PF) score, spleen deficiency scale score, Euroqol Questionnaire-Visual Analogue Scale (ED-VAS) score, and clinical global impression (CGI) evaluating by corresponding questionnaires. Fecal metagenome sequencing was conducted to explore the potential mechanism of SJZD effect. RESULTS From June 2020 to July 2021, 105 of 127 participants completed the study at four hospitals in China. After a 2-month treatment, intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis found participants who received SJZD had larger reduction than placebo control (mean change 6.65 [standard deviation (SD) 6.11] points vs. 5.31 [SD 5.19] points; difference 1.34, 95 % confidence interval [CI] -0.65 to 3.33). Per-protocol (PP) analysis reported confirmative results with a significant difference between SJZD and placebo groups (2.24, 95 % CI 0.10 to 4.39). SJZD also significantly improved overall health status compared with placebo in per-protocol population (p = 0.009). No significant difference was found between groups in changes of SF36-PF, spleen deficiency scale scoring, and CGI. Fecal metagenome sequencing and correlation analyses indicated that the beneficial effect of SJZD may be related to the abundance change of Pediococcus acidilactici. No serious adverse event or abnormal laboratory test was found during the whole study. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that SJZD can improve fatigue symptom and overall health status in patients with CFS under good medication adherence. Potential therapeutic effects may be related to the regulation of gut microbiota. Large-scale trials with longer intervention period are encouraged to further support SJZD's application. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION (ID, ISRCTN23930966, URL = https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN23930966).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Dai
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; Clinical Research Academy, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University, Shenzhen 518036, China
| | - Zhidong Liu
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; State Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhou
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; State Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Minjie Miao
- Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangyin 214413, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Shanghai Changning Tianshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200051, China
| | - Haibing Hua
- Jiangyin Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiangyin 214413, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Guang Ji
- Institute of Digestive Disease, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China; State Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine, China.
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Kim DY, Ha IH, Kim JY. Graded exercise with motion style acupuncture therapy for a patient with failed back surgery syndrome and major depressive disorder: a case report and literature review. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1376680. [PMID: 38651058 PMCID: PMC11034520 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1376680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Effective treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) remains challenging despite urgent medical attention requirements. Depression is a contributing factor to the development and poor prognosis of FBSS, and vice versa. We report the case of a patient with FBSS and major depressive disorder (MDD) treated with graded exercise combined with motion-style acupuncture therapy (MSAT). A 53-year-old male veteran who had undergone lumbar discectomy and laminectomy with instrumented fusion was admitted to the hospital with re-current back pain and radiative pain in the left leg. The effects of failed surgery triggered MDD as a comorbidity. After a six-week routine treatment without remarkable improvement, a three-week program of graded exercise with MSAT was applied. The numeric rating scale (NRS) and short form-36 (SF-36) were used to assess low back pain with radiating leg pain, and daily functioning levels, respectively. The voluntary walking distance of the patients was measured. To analyze the therapeutic effects and other applications of the intervention, we surveyed clinical trials using MSAT or graded exercise therapy (GET). Three weeks of graded exercise with MSAT reduced physical and mental functional disabilities (SF-36, physical component: 15.0 to 37.2, mental component: 21.9 to 30.1) as well as the intensity of low back pain and/or radiative leg pain (NRS: 50 to 30). Furthermore, as the therapeutic intensity gradually increased, there was a significant corresponding increase in daily walking distance (mean daily walking distance, the first week vs. baseline, second, and third week, 3.05 ± 0.56: 2.07 ± 0.79, 4.27 ± 0.96, and 4.72 ± 1.04 km, p = 0.04, p = 0.02, and p = 0.003, respectively). Three randomized controlled trials of GET were included, all showing statistically significant antidepressant effects in the diseased population. Graded exercise with MSAT may be an effective rehabilitative therapy for patients with FBSS and MDD who have impaired daily routines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Young Kim
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Hyuk Ha
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Kim
- Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, Jaseng Medical Foundation, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Royston AP, Burge S, Idini I, Brigden A, Pike KC. Management of severe ME/CFS in children and young people in the UK: a British Paediatric Surveillance Unit study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2024; 8:e002436. [PMID: 38453418 PMCID: PMC10921487 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2023-002436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Severe myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in children and young people (CYP) is a little-understood condition which significantly impacts education, development and quality of life. We used data from a population-wide surveillance study to explore the screening investigation, referral and management of suspected cases of paediatric severe ME/CFS. METHODS A British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) study reported cases of CYP with suspected severe ME/CFS between February 2018 and February 2019. Paediatricians reporting cases to BPSU and allied healthcare professionals in two large specialist paediatric ME/CFS centres were invited to complete questionnaires for CYP meeting the surveillance case definition. The study focused primarily on CYP with confirmed severe ME/CFS and the extent to which their care met NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommendations but also considered separately those with probable or possible severe ME/CFS. RESULTS This study includes a total of 92 CYP with suspected severe ME/CFS; 33 meeting criteria for severe ME/CFS and an additional 59 classified as probable or possible severe ME/CFS. For 16 possible cases, incomplete investigation to exclude alternative diagnoses prevented confirmation of a severe ME/CFS diagnosis. Only 21 of 33 (64%) confirmed severe ME/CFS cases had been referred to specialist services. The management provided varied considerably between patients and four received nothing at all. Of the management provided, the most frequent approaches were medication (67%), activity management (61%) and physiotherapy (61%). Domiciliary assessments and support, and social services referrals were received by 12% and 6% of confirmed severe cases. Similar proportions of management approaches were seen in probable/possible severe ME/CFS. CONCLUSION Full investigation is frequently incomplete in CYP with suspected severe ME/CFS and recommendations for referral and management are poorly implemented, in particular the needs of CYP who are unable to leave their home might be poorly met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Peter Royston
- Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Sarah Burge
- Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol Medical School, Bristol, UK
| | - Ilaria Idini
- Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Bath, UK
| | - Amberly Brigden
- School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Zhu Y, Wang J, Yao L, Huang Y, Yang H, Yu X, Chen X, Chen Y. Electroacupuncture at BL15 attenuates chronic fatigue syndrome by downregulating iNOS/NO signaling in C57BL/6 mice. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:3073-3084. [PMID: 35608198 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has a high incidence due to the increased pressure of daily life and work in modern society. Our previous clinical studies have found the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on CFS patients, however, the mechanism of EA on CFS is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of EA on cardiac function in a CFS mouse model to explore its underlying mechanism. The mice were randomly divided into three groups: control, CFS, and CFS mice receiving EA (CFS + EA). After behavioral assessments and echocardiographic measurement, blood and heart tissue of the mice were collected for biochemical tests, and then we evaluated the effects of EA on the CFS mouse model when nitric oxide (NO) levels were enhanced by l-arginine. The results showed that EA ameliorated the injured motor and cardiac function. Meanwhile, EA also inhibited increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) at heart tissue and the serum NO levels in mice subjected to sustained forced swimming stress. Furthermore, the NO level in serum increased with l-arginine administration, which blocked the effects of EA on CFS mice. This study suggested that EA could improve the motor function and cardiac function in CFS mice and its effects may be associated with the down-regulation of iNOS/NO signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingya Wang
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lin Yao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunxuan Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojiang Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinghua Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjun Chen
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China
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White P, Abbey S, Angus B, Ball HA, Buchwald DS, Burness C, Carson AJ, Chalder T, Clauw DJ, Coebergh J, David AS, Dworetzky BA, Edwards MJ, Espay AJ, Etherington J, Fink P, Flottorp S, Garcin B, Garner P, Glasziou P, Hamilton W, Henningsen P, Hoeritzauer I, Husain M, Huys ACML, Knoop H, Kroenke K, Lehn A, Levenson JL, Little P, Lloyd A, Madan I, van der Meer JWM, Miller A, Murphy M, Nazareth I, Perez DL, Phillips W, Reuber M, Rief W, Santhouse A, Serranova T, Sharpe M, Stanton B, Stewart DE, Stone J, Tinazzi M, Wade DT, Wessely SC, Wyller V, Zeman A. Anomalies in the review process and interpretation of the evidence in the NICE guideline for chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:1056-1063. [PMID: 37434321 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a disabling long-term condition of unknown cause. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published a guideline in 2021 that highlighted the seriousness of the condition, but also recommended that graded exercise therapy (GET) should not be used and cognitive-behavioural therapy should only be used to manage symptoms and reduce distress, not to aid recovery. This U-turn in recommendations from the previous 2007 guideline is controversial.We suggest that the controversy stems from anomalies in both processing and interpretation of the evidence by the NICE committee. The committee: (1) created a new definition of CFS/ME, which 'downgraded' the certainty of trial evidence; (2) omitted data from standard trial end points used to assess efficacy; (3) discounted trial data when assessing treatment harm in favour of lower quality surveys and qualitative studies; (4) minimised the importance of fatigue as an outcome; (5) did not use accepted practices to synthesise trial evidence adequately using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations trial evidence); (6) interpreted GET as mandating fixed increments of change when trials defined it as collaborative, negotiated and symptom dependent; (7) deviated from NICE recommendations of rehabilitation for related conditions, such as chronic primary pain and (8) recommended an energy management approach in the absence of supportive research evidence.We conclude that the dissonance between this and the previous guideline was the result of deviating from usual scientific standards of the NICE process. The consequences of this are that patients may be denied helpful treatments and therefore risk persistent ill health and disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter White
- Wolfson Institute for Population Health, Queen Mary University Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK
| | - Susan Abbey
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian Angus
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Harriet A Ball
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
| | - Dedra S Buchwald
- Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Alan J Carson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Daniel J Clauw
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Medicine and Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jan Coebergh
- Ashford St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust, Chertsey, St George's University Hospitals, London, UK
| | - Anthony S David
- Institute of Mental Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Barbara A Dworetzky
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark J Edwards
- Neuroscience Research Centre, St George's University, London, UK
| | - Alberto J Espay
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Per Fink
- Research Clinic for Functional Disorders, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Signe Flottorp
- Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research, Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Béatrice Garcin
- Hopital Avicenne, Universite Sorbonne Paris Nord - Campus de Bobigny, Bobigny, France
| | - Paul Garner
- Centre for Evidence Synthesis in Global Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paul Glasziou
- Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Robina, Queensland, Australia
| | - Willie Hamilton
- Institute of Health Research, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Peter Henningsen
- Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ingrid Hoeritzauer
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mujtaba Husain
- Persistent Physical Symptom Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kurt Kroenke
- Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alexander Lehn
- Brisbane Clinical Neuroscience Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - James L Levenson
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Paul Little
- Primary Care Research Centre, Primary Care Population Sciences and Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Andrew Lloyd
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ira Madan
- Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jos W M van der Meer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical College, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Alastair Miller
- Department of Medicine, Cumberland Infirmary Carlisle, Carlisle, UK
| | - Maurice Murphy
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Irwin Nazareth
- Primary Care & Population Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - David L Perez
- Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wendy Phillips
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Markus Reuber
- Department of Neuroscience, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Winfried Rief
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy Clinic, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Alastair Santhouse
- Persistent Physical Symptom Service, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Tereza Serranova
- Dept. of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Sharpe
- Psychological Medicine Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Biba Stanton
- Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Donna E Stewart
- Centre for Mental Health, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jon Stone
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Royal Infirmary, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michele Tinazzi
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Derick T Wade
- Centre for Movement, Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon C Wessely
- Psychological Medicine, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Vegard Wyller
- Division of Medicine and Laboratory Sciences, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adam Zeman
- Cognitve Neurology Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
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Kustra-Mulder A, Löwe B, Weigel A. Healthcare-related factors influencing symptom persistence, deterioration, or improvement in patients with persistent somatic symptoms: A scoping review of European studies. J Psychosom Res 2023; 174:111485. [PMID: 37716128 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This scoping review explored healthcare-related factors associated with symptom persistence, deterioration, or improvement in patients with persistent somatic symptoms (PSS) across Europe. METHODS Articles were systematically searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO by combining terms of PSS and healthcare-related factors. Studies published in English, German, Polish, or Dutch between 2000 and 2022 were included. Healthcare-related factors associated with PSS symptom course were investigated, and study quality assessed (Center for Evidence-Based Medicine Checklist, Newcastle-Ottawa Scale). RESULTS Of 8386 identified studies, 56 were included in the analysis. A significant knowledge gap was evident, as most studies lacked comprehensive healthcare descriptions with particularly unclear definitions of "treatments as usual" in RCTs. The only extractable healthcare factor according to Andersen's Behavioral Model was the treatment setting. Rates of PSS improvement split by care-levels were 38% in primary, 44% in secondary, 25% in mixed, and 71% in specialized care. Persistence rates were 57%, 50%, 75%, and 29% respectively. Deterioration was observed in 5% of primary and 6% of secondary care studies. Studies were skewed toward the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review shed light on the association between care levels and symptom outcomes in PSS patients. However, limited information in the current studies constrained our exploration of associations with other factors and symptom outcomes. Important aspects, like care availability, referral processes, and insurance coverage, are yet to be elucidated. Addressing these gaps is pivotal for developing targeted treatments across Europe, ultimately enhancing PSS patients' outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Kustra-Mulder
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.
| | - Bernd Löwe
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Angelika Weigel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
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The Draft Report by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare Does Not Provide Any Evidence That Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Are Safe and Effective Treatments for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Diseases 2023; 11:diseases11010011. [PMID: 36648876 PMCID: PMC9844345 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare (IQWiG) recently published its draft report to the government about myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The IQWiG concluded that graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) should be recommended in the treatment for mild and moderate ME/CFS based on two CBT and two GET studies. In this article, we reviewed the evidence used by IQWiG to support their claims, because their conclusion is diametrically opposed to the conclusion by the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in its recently updated ME/CFS guidelines. Our analysis shows that the trials IQWiG used in support suffered from serious flaws, which included badly designed control groups; relying on subjective primary outcomes in non-blinded studies; alliance and response shift bias, including patients in their trials who did not have the disease under investigation, selective reporting, making extensive endpoint changes and low to very low adherence of treatments. Our analysis also shows that the report itself used one CBT and one GET study that both examined a different treatment. The report also used a definition of CBT that does not reflect the way it is being used in ME/CFS or was tested in the studies. The report noted that one study used a wrong definition of post-exertional malaise (PEM), the main characteristic of the disease, according to the report. Yet, it ignored the consequence of this, that less than the required minimum percentage of patients had the disease under investigation in that study. It also ignored the absence of improvement on most of the subjective outcomes, as well as the fact that the IQWiG methods handbook states that one should use objective outcomes and not rely on subjective outcomes in non-blinded studies. The report concluded that both treatments did not lead to objective improvement in the six-minute walk test but then ignored that. The report did not analyze the other objective outcomes of the studies (step test and occupational and benefits status), which showed a null effect. Finally, the report states that the studies do not report on safety yet assumes that the treatments are safe based on a tendency towards small subjective improvements in fatigue and physical functioning, even though the adherence to the treatments was (very) low and the studies included many patients who did not have the disease under investigation and, consequently, did not suffer from exertion intolerance contrary to ME/CFS patients. At the same time, it ignored and downplayed all the evidence that both treatments are not safe, even when the evidence was produced by a British university. In conclusion, the studies used by the report do not provide any evidence that CBT and GET are safe and effective. Consequently, the report and the studies do not provide any support for the recommendation to use CBT and GET for ME/CFS or long COVID, which, in many cases, is the same or resembles ME/CFS, after an infection with SARS-CoV-2.
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Abstract
The German Society of Pneumology initiated 2021 the AWMF S1 guideline Long COVID/Post-COVID. In a broad interdisciplinary approach, this S1 guideline was designed based on the current state of knowledge.The clinical recommendations describe current Long COVID/Post-COVID symptoms, diagnostic approaches, and therapies.In addition to the general and consensus introduction, a subject-specific approach was taken to summarize the current state of knowledge.The guideline has an explicit practical claim and will be developed and adapted by the author team based on the current increase in knowledge.
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Wu K, Li Y, Zou Y, Ren Y, Wang Y, Hu X, Wang Y, Chen C, Lu M, Xu L, Wu L, Li K. Tai Chi increases functional connectivity and decreases chronic fatigue syndrome: A pilot intervention study with machine learning and fMRI analysis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278415. [PMID: 36454926 PMCID: PMC9714925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The latest guidance on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) recommends exercise therapy. Tai Chi, an exercise method in traditional Chinese medicine, is reportedly helpful for CFS. However, the mechanism remains unclear. The present longitudinal study aimed to detect the influence of Tai Chi on functional brain connectivity in CFS. METHODS The study recruited 20 CFS patients and 20 healthy controls to receive eight sessions of Tai Chi exercise over a period of one month. Before the Tai Chi exercise, an abnormal functional brain connectivity for recognizing CFS was generated by a linear support vector model. The prediction ability of the structure was validated with a random forest classification under a permutation test. Then, the functional connections (FCs) of the structure were analyzed in the large-scale brain network after Tai Chi exercise while taking the changes in the Fatigue Scale-14, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) as clinical effectiveness evaluation. The registration number is ChiCTR2000032577 in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. RESULTS 1) The score of the Fatigue Scale-14 decreased significantly in the CFS patients, and the scores of the PSQI and SF-36 changed significantly both in CFS patients and healthy controls. 2) Sixty FCs were considered significant to discriminate CFS (P = 0.000, best accuracy 90%), with 80.5% ± 9% average accuracy. 3) The FCs that were majorly related to the left frontoparietal network (FPN) and default mode network (DMN) significantly increased (P = 0.0032 and P = 0.001) in CFS patients after Tai Chi exercise. 4) The change of FCs in the left FPN and DMN were positively correlated (r = 0.40, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that the 60 FCs we found using machine learning could be neural biomarkers to discriminate between CFS patients and healthy controls. Tai Chi exercise may improve CFS patients' fatigue syndrome, sleep quality, and body health statement by strengthening the functional connectivity of the left FPN and DMN under these FCs. The findings promote our understanding of Tai Chi exercise's value in treating CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wu
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Xinhua Hospital, Tongzhou District, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yihuai Zou
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Ren
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yahui Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Hu
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Mengxin Lu
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lingling Xu
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Linlu Wu
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kuangshi Li
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Smakowski A, Adamson J, Turner T, Chalder T. Graded exercise therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in secondary care - a benchmarking study. Disabil Rehabil 2022; 44:5878-5886. [PMID: 34498994 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1949049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the effectiveness of graded exercise therapy (GET) delivered to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in a routine, specialist clinic by measuring patient-reported outcome data collected prospectively over several timepoints alongside therapy. Benchmarking analyses were used to compare our results with those found in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS Data were collected from patients, with a diagnosis of CFS/ME, who had been referred to a specialist clinical service in South London. Measures included Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, Physical Functioning Subscale of the Short-Form Health Questionnaire, and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale. Change on each measure was calculated over time using linear mixed-model analyses. Within group effect sizes were calculated and compared with previous RCTs. RESULTS Fatigue scores were significantly reduced by session 4 (-5.18, 95%CIs -7.90, -2.45) and at follow-up (-4.73, 95%CIs -7.60, -1.85). Work and social adjustment and physical functioning progressively improved over the course of therapy, reaching significance at discharge and maintained at follow-up (WSAS -4.97, 95%CIs -7.97, -1.97; SF-36 10.75, 95%CIs 2.19, 19.31). CONCLUSIONS GET is an effective treatment for CFS/ME within clinical practice. However, effect sizes were smaller in routine clinical practice than RCTs suggesting that avenues for augmentation need to be considered.Implications for rehabilitationIt is important to assess whether patient reported outcomes of treatments that have been evaluated in the context of clinical trials are similar in routine clinical practice.This study shows fatigue severity, physical functioning, and work and social adjustment can significantly improve after graded exercise therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome within a specialist service.Benchmarking methods showed clinical outcomes obtained smaller effect sizes than randomised controlled trials - techniques to maximise patient outcomes should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Adamson
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tracey Turner
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Ingman T, Smakowski A, Goldsmith K, Chalder T. A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating prognosis following treatment for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome. Psychol Med 2022; 52:2917-2929. [PMID: 36059125 PMCID: PMC9693680 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722002471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review investigated randomized controlled trials evaluating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The objective was to determine prognosis following treatment. Studies were eligible if they were peer-reviewed and investigated treatment at least 12 weeks in duration. Studies were excluded if they used co-morbid diagnoses as entry criteria or if they did not measure fatigue, disability, or functioning. Literature published between 1988 and 2021 was searched using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Study quality was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project assessment tool. Outcomes were synthesized when three or more studies reported outcomes obtained from the same validated measurement tool. The review included 15 publications comprising 1990 participants. Following CBT, and at short-term to medium-term follow-up, 44% considered themselves better and 11% considered themselves worse. Following GET, and at post-treatment to short-term follow-up, 43% considered themselves better and 14% considered themselves worse. These outcomes were 8-26% more favorable compared to control conditions. Two-thirds of studies were of moderate quality and the remainder were of weak quality. Limitations of this review relate to the clinical heterogeneity of studies and that most outcomes were self-reported. Results suggest some support for the positive effects of CBT and GET at short-term to medium-term follow-up although this requires further investigation given the inconsistent findings of previous reviews. Findings may not be generalizable to severe CFS. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018086002).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Ingman
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Addiction Sciences Building, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Abigail Smakowski
- Persistent Physical Symptoms Clinical Research and Treatment Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Kimberley Goldsmith
- Department of Biostatistics & Health Informatics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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12
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Activity monitoring and patient-reported outcome measures in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274472. [PMID: 36121803 PMCID: PMC9484698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disease with no validated specific and sensitive biomarker, and no standard approved treatment. In this observational study with no intervention, participants used a Fitbit activity tracker. The aims were to explore natural symptom variation, feasibility of continuous activity monitoring, and to compare activity data with patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). Materials and methods In this pilot study, 27 patients with mild to severe ME/CFS, of mean age 42.3 years, used the Fitbit Charge 3 continuously for six months. Patients wore a SenseWear activity bracelet for 7 days at baseline, at 3 and 6 months. At baseline and follow-up they completed the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire–Short Form (DSQ-SF). Results The mean number of steps per day decreased with increasing ME/CFS severity; mild 5566, moderate 4991 and severe 1998. The day-by-day variation was mean 47% (range 25%–79%). Mean steps per day increased from the first to the second three-month period, 4341 vs 4781 steps, p = 0.022. The maximum differences in outcome measures between 4-week periods (highest vs lowest), were more evident in a group of eight patients with milder disease (baseline SF-36 PF > 50 or DSQ-SF < 55) as compared to 19 patients with higher symptom burden (SF-36 PF < 50 and DSQ-SF > 55), for SF-36 PF raw scores: 16.9 vs 3.4 points, and for steps per day: 958 versus 479 steps. The correlations between steps per day and self-reported SF-36 Physical function, SF-36 Social function, and DSQ-SF were significant. Fitbit recorded significantly higher number of steps than SenseWear. Resting heart rates were stable during six months. Conclusion Continuous activity registration with Fitbit Charge 3 trackers is feasible and useful in studies with ME/CFS patients to monitor steps and resting heart rate, in addition to self-reported outcome measures. Clinical trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04195815.
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Kim S, Xu Y, Dore K, Gewurtz R, Larivière N, Letts L. Fatigue self-management led by occupational therapists and/or physiotherapists for chronic conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Chronic Illn 2022; 18:441-457. [PMID: 34515530 PMCID: PMC9397391 DOI: 10.1177/17423953211039783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of occupational therapist-/physiotherapist-guided fatigue self-management for individuals with chronic conditions. METHODS Eight databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, were searched until September 2019 to identify relevant studies. Randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies of self-management interventions specifically developed or delivered by occupational therapists/physiotherapists to improve fatigue symptoms of individuals with chronic conditions were included. A narrative synthesis and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the effectiveness of fatigue self-management. RESULTS Thirty-eight studies were included, and fatigue self-management approaches led by occupational therapists/physiotherapists were divided into six categories based on the intervention focus: exercise, energy conservation, multimodal programmes, activity pacing, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and comprehensive fatigue management. While all exercise programmes reported significant improvement in fatigue, other categories showed both significant improvement and no improvement in fatigue. Meta-analysis yielded a standardised mean difference of the overall 13 studies: 0.42 (95% confidence interval:-0.62 to - 0.21); standardised mean difference of the seven exercise studies was -0.55 (95% confidence interval: -0.78 to -0.31). DISCUSSION Physical exercises inspired by the self-management principles may have positive impacts on fatigue symptoms, quality of life, and other functional abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungha Kim
- 63662School of Rehabilitation Science, 3710McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ying Xu
- 63662School of Rehabilitation Science, 3710McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kelly Dore
- Department of Medicine, 12362McMaster Education Research, Innovation & Theory (MERIT), 12370David Braley Health Science Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Gewurtz
- 63662School of Rehabilitation Science, 3710McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Nadine Larivière
- Department of Medicine, 12362McMaster Education Research, Innovation & Theory (MERIT), 12370David Braley Health Science Centre, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lori Letts
- 63662School of Rehabilitation Science, 3710McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Li Y, Wu K, Hu X, Xu T, Li Z, Zhang Y, Li K. Altered Effective Connectivity of Resting-State Networks by Tai Chi Chuan in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: A Multivariate Granger Causality Study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:858833. [PMID: 35720086 PMCID: PMC9203735 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.858833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous evidence has shown that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have changes in resting brain functional connectivity, but there is no study on the brain network effect of Tai Chi Chuan intervention in CFS. To explore the influence of Tai Chi Chuan exercise on the causal relationship between brain functional networks in patients with CFS, 21 patients with CFS and 19 healthy controls were recruited for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) scanning and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scale assessment before and after 1month-long training in Tai Chi Chuan. We extracted the resting brain networks using the independent component analysis (ICA) method, analyzed the changes of FC in these networks, conducted Granger causality analysis (GCA) on it, and analyzed the correlation between the difference causality value and the SF-36 scale. Compared to the healthy control group, the SF-36 scale scores of patients with CFS were lower at baseline. Meanwhile, the causal relationship between sensorimotor network (SMN) and default mode network (DMN) was weakened. The above abnormalities could be improved by Tai Chi Chuan training for 1 month. In addition, the correlation analyses showed that the causal relationship between SMN and DMN was positively correlated with the scores of Role Physical (RP) and Bodily Pain (BP) in CFS patients, and the change of causal relationship between SMN and DMN before and after training was positively correlated with the change of BP score. The findings suggest that Tai Chi Chuan is helpful to improve the quality of life for patients with CFS. The change of Granger causality between SMN and DMN may be a readout parameter of CFS. Tai Chi Chuan may promote the functional plasticity of brain networks in patients with CFS by regulating the information transmission between them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Kang Wu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tianjiao Xu
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Zongheng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yong Zhang
| | - Kuangshi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
- Kuangshi Li
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15
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The Updated NICE Guidance Exposed the Serious Flaws in CBT and Graded Exercise Therapy Trials for ME/CFS. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10050898. [PMID: 35628033 PMCID: PMC9141828 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10050898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently published its updated guidelines for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). NICE concluded, after an extensive review of the literature, that graded exercise therapy (GET) is harmful and should not be used, and that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is only an adjunctive and not a curative treatment. Leading proponents of the cognitive behavioural model (CBmodel) find it difficult to accept this paradigm shift. In, for example, an article in The Lancet, they try to argue that the new NICE guideline is based on ideology instead of science. In this article we reviewed the evidence they used to support their claims. Our analysis shows that the trials they used in support suffered from serious flaws which included badly designed control groups, relying on subjective primary outcomes in non-blinded studies, including patients in their trials who didn’t have the disease under investigation or had a self-limiting disease, selective reporting, outcome switching and making extensive endpoint changes, which created an overlap in entry and recovery criteria, using a post-hoc definition of recovery which included the severely ill, not publishing results that contradict their own conclusion, ignoring their own (objective) null effect, etc. The flaws in these trials all created a bias in favour of the interventions. Despite all these flaws, treatments that are said to lead to recovery in reality do not lead to objective improvement. Therefore, these studies do not support the claim that CBT and GET are effective treatments. Moreover, the arguments that are used to claim that NICE was wrong, in reality, highlight the absence of evidence for the safety and efficacy of CBT and GET and strengthen the decision by NICE to drop CBT and GET as curative treatments for ME/CFS.
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Flottorp SA, Brurberg KG, Fink P, Knoop H, Wyller VBB. New NICE guideline on chronic fatigue syndrome: more ideology than science? Lancet 2022; 399:611-613. [PMID: 35151381 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(22)00183-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Signe A Flottorp
- Centre for Epidemic Interventions Research, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway; Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjetil G Brurberg
- Division of Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, 0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Per Fink
- Department of Functional Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Vegard B B Wyller
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
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Sharpe M, Chalder T, White PD. Evidence-Based Care for People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:449-452. [PMID: 34791590 PMCID: PMC8811058 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07188-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sometimes referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and often as CFS/ME, is an illness characterized by disabling fatigue and other symptoms, typically worsened by activity. The main evidence-based treatments are rehabilitative in nature and include specific types of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET). In this article, we briefly review the evidence for their safety and effectiveness and propose that much of the controversy about them arises from misunderstandings about their nature and delivery. In particular, we emphasize that successful rehabilitation from CFS/ME does not indicate that the illness is not real. We recommend that rehabilitative treatment always be preceded by a thorough clinical assessment and delivered by appropriately trained therapists working in close collaboration with the patient. We conclude that properly applied rehabilitative treatments offer the best hope of safely improving fatigue and function for patients with CFS/ME. However, we also recognize the need for more research into the treatment of this neglected condition, especially for those most severely disabled by it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sharpe
- Psychological Medicine Research, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Peter D White
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, St Bartholomew's and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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18
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Fowler-Davis S, Platts K, Thelwell M, Woodward A, Harrop D. A mixed-methods systematic review of post-viral fatigue interventions: Are there lessons for long Covid? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259533. [PMID: 34752489 PMCID: PMC8577752 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Fatigue syndromes have been widely observed following post-viral infection and are being recognised because of Covid19. Interventions used to treat and manage fatigue have been widely researched and this study aims to synthesise the literature associated with fatigue interventions to investigate the outcomes that may be applicable to 'long Covid'. METHOD The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020214209) in October 2020 and five electronic databases were searched. Papers were screened, critically appraised and data extracted from studies that reported outcomes of fatigue interventions for post-viral syndromes. The narrative synthesis includes statistical analysis associated with effectiveness and then identifies the characteristics of the interventions, including identification of transferable learning for the treatment of fatigue in long Covid. An expert panel supported critical appraisal and data synthesis. RESULTS Over 7,000 research papers revealed a diverse range of interventions and fatigue outcome measures. Forty papers were selected for data extraction after final screening. The effectiveness of all interventions was assessed according to mean differences (MD) in measured fatigue severity between each experimental group and a control following the intervention, as well as standardised mean differences as an overall measure of effect size. Analyses identified a range of effects-from most effective MD -39.0 [95% CI -51.8 to -26.2] to least effective MD 42.28 [95% CI 33.23 to 51.34]-across a range of interventions implemented with people suffering varying levels of fatigue severity. Interventions were multimodal with a range of supportive therapeutic methods and varied in intensity and requirements of the participants. Those in western medical systems tended to be based on self- management and education principles (i.e., group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CONCLUSION Findings suggest that the research is highly focussed on a narrow participant demographic and relatively few methods are effective in managing fatigue symptoms. Selected literature reported complex interventions using self-rating fatigue scales that report effect. Synthesis suggests that long Covid fatigue management may be beneficial when a) physical and psychological support, is delivered in groups where people can plan their functional response to fatigue; and b) where strengthening rather than endurance is used to prevent deconditioning; and c) where fatigue is regarded in the context of an individual's lifestyle and home-based activities are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Fowler-Davis
- Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Katharine Platts
- Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Thelwell
- Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Amie Woodward
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Deborah Harrop
- Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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19
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Fowler Davis S, Farndon L, Harrop D, Nield L, Manson J, Lawrence J, Tang S, Pownall S, Elliott J, Charlesworth L, Hindle L. A rapid review and expert identification of the Allied Health Professions’ interventions as a contribution to public health outcomes. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2021; 2:100067. [PMID: 36101594 PMCID: PMC9461364 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
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20
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White PD, Etherington J. Adverse outcomes in trials of graded exercise therapy for adult patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res 2021; 147:110533. [PMID: 34091377 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Graded exercise therapy (GET) is an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), but concerns have been raised about its safety. Two randomised controlled trials have not supported these concerns. We further assessed safety outcomes in all ten published trials of GET for CFS. METHODS We undertook meta-analyses of three outcomes: Self-ratings of Clinical Global Impression (CGI) change scores of 6 or 7 ("much worse" or "very much worse"), numbers of participants withdrawing from treatments, and numbers of participants dropping out of trial follow up. We provide risk ratios (95% confidence intervals (CI)), comparing GET with control interventions. RESULTS The 10 trials involved 1279 participants. CGI scores of 6 or 7 were reported by 14/333 (4%) participants after GET and 26/334 (8%) participants after control interventions (RR (CI): 0.62 (0.32, 1.17)). Withdrawals from treatment occurred in 64/535 (12%) participants after GET and 53/534 (10%) participants after control interventions (RR (CI):1.21 (0.86, 1.69)). Drop-outs from trial follow up occurred in 74/679 (11%) participants after GET and 41/600 (7%) participants after control interventions (RR (CI): 1.51 (1.03, 2.22)). The certainty of this evidence was rated low by GRADE, due to imprecision. CONCLUSIONS There was no evidence of excess harm with graded exercise therapy by either self-rated deterioration or by withdrawing from GET, in comparison to control interventions. More GET participants dropped out of trial follow up in comparison to control interventions. Future research should ascertain the most effective and safest form of graded exercise therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D White
- Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, St Bartholomew's and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - J Etherington
- Pure Sports Medicine, 12 Finsbury Square, London, UK
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21
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Clark LV, McCrone P, Pesola F, Vergara-Williamson M, White PD. Guided graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome: Long term follow up and cost-effectiveness following the GETSET trial. J Psychosom Res 2021; 146:110484. [PMID: 33895431 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The GETSET trial found that guided graded exercise self-help (GES) improved fatigue and physical functioning more than specialist medical care (SMC) alone in adults with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) 12 weeks after randomisation. In this paper, we assess the longer-term clinical and health economic outcomes. METHODS GETSET was a randomised controlled trial of 211 UK secondary care patients with CFS. Primary outcomes were the Chalder fatigue questionnaire and the physical functioning subscale of the short-form-36 survey. Postal questionnaires assessed the primary outcomes and cost-effectiveness of the intervention 12 months after randomisation. Service costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were combined in a cost-effectiveness analysis. RESULTS Between January 2014 and March 2016, 164 (78%) participants returned questionnaires 15 months after randomisation. Results showed no main effect of intervention arm on fatigue (chi2(1) = 4.8, p = 0.03) or physical functioning (chi2(1) = 1.3, p = 0.25), adjusting for multiplicity. No other intervention arm or time*arm effect was significant. The short-term fatigue reduction was maintained at long-term follow-up for participants assigned to GES, with improved fatigue from short- to long-term follow up after SMC, such that the groups no longer differed. Healthcare costs were £85 higher for GES and produced more QALYs. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £4802 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS The short-term improvements after GES were maintained at long-term follow-up, with further improvement in the SMC group such that the groups no longer differed at long-term follow-up. The cost per QALY for GES compared to SMC alone was below the usual threshold indicating cost-effectiveness, but with uncertainty around the result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy V Clark
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London, UK.
| | - Paul McCrone
- King's Health Economics, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Pesola
- Cancer Prevention Group, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mario Vergara-Williamson
- Kent & Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, Kent & Medway CFS/ME Service, Maidstone, Kent, UK
| | - Peter D White
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London, UK
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22
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Kujawski S, Cossington J, Słomko J, Zawadka-Kunikowska M, Tafil-Klawe M, Klawe JJ, Buszko K, Jakovljevic DG, Kozakiewicz M, Morten KJ, Dawes H, Strong JWL, Murovska M, Van Oosterwijck J, Estevez-Lopez F, Newton JL, Hodges L, Zalewski P. Relationship between Cardiopulmonary, Mitochondrial and Autonomic Nervous System Function Improvement after an Individualised Activity Programme upon Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1542. [PMID: 33917586 PMCID: PMC8038762 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10071542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The therapeutic effects of exercise from structured activity programmes have recently been questioned; as a result, this study examines the impact of an Individualised Activity Program (IAP) on the relationship with cardiovascular, mitochondrial and fatigue parameters. METHODS Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients were assessed using Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ), Fatigue Severity Score (FSS) and the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS). VO2peak, VO2submax and heart rate (HR) were assessed using cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels in plasma were assessed. A Task Force Monitor was used to assess ANS functioning in supine rest and in response to the Head-Up Tilt Test (HUTT). RESULTS Thirty-four patients completed 16 weeks of the IAP. The CFQ, FSS and FIS scores decreased significantly along with a significant increase in Mfn1 and Mfn2 levels (p = 0.002 and p = 0.00005, respectively). The relationships between VO2 peak and Mfn1 increase in response to IAP (p = 0.03) and between VO2 at anaerobic threshold and ANS response to the HUTT (p = 0.03) were noted. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that IAP reduces fatigue and improves functional performance along with changes in autonomic and mitochondrial function. However, caution must be applied as exercise was not well tolerated by 51% of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sławomir Kujawski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (P.Z.)
| | - Jo Cossington
- Centre for Movement Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (J.C.); (H.D.)
| | - Joanna Słomko
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (P.Z.)
| | - Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (P.Z.)
| | - Małgorzata Tafil-Klawe
- Department of Human Physiology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Karłowicza 24, 85-092 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Jacek J. Klawe
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (P.Z.)
| | - Katarzyna Buszko
- Department of Biostatistics and Biomedical Systems Theory, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Jagiellonska Street, 85–067 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Djordje G. Jakovljevic
- Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Priory St, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK;
| | - Mariusz Kozakiewicz
- Department of Geriatrics, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Karl J. Morten
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, The Women Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (K.J.M.); (J.W.L.S.)
| | - Helen Dawes
- Centre for Movement Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Oxford Brookes University, Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (J.C.); (H.D.)
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - James W. L. Strong
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, The Women Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; (K.J.M.); (J.W.L.S.)
| | - Modra Murovska
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Riga Stradiņš University, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Jessica Van Oosterwijck
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fernando Estevez-Lopez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Postbus 2060, 3000 CB Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Julia L. Newton
- Population Health Sciences Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4AX, UK;
| | - Lynette Hodges
- School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand;
| | - Paweł Zalewski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (M.Z.-K.); (J.J.K.); (P.Z.)
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Lucini D, Pagani M. Exercise Prescription to Foster Health and Well-Being: A Behavioral Approach to Transform Barriers into Opportunities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:968. [PMID: 33499284 PMCID: PMC7908585 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18030968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The current literature contains multiple examples of exercise interventions to foster health and to prevent/treat many chronic non-communicable diseases; stress and functional syndromes. On the other hand, sedentariness is increasing and to transform a sedentary subject into a regular exerciser is not only very difficult but considered by some unrealistic in current clinical practice. Ideally a physical activity intervention may be considered actually efficacious when it outgrows the research setting and becomes embedded in a system, ensuring maintenance and sustainability of its health benefits. Physicians need specific skills to improve patients' exercise habits. These range from traditional clinical competencies, to technical competencies to correctly prescribe exercise, to competencies in behavioral medicine to motivate the subject. From a behavioral and medical point of view, an exercise prescription may be considered correct only if the subject actually performs the prescribed exercise and this results in an improvement of physiological mechanisms such as endocrine, immunological and autonomic controls. Here we describe a model of intervention intended to nurture exercise prescription in everyday clinical setting. It aims to a tailored prescription, starts from the subject's assessment, continues defining clinical goals/possible limitations and ends when the subject is performing exercise obtaining results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Lucini
- BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy;
- Exercise Medicine Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089 Rozzano, Italy
| | - Massimo Pagani
- BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy;
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24
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Wormgoor MEA, Rodenburg SC. The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. J Transl Med 2021; 19:1. [PMID: 33397399 PMCID: PMC7780213 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02683-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the inconsistent use of diagnostic criteria in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), it is unsure whether physiotherapeutic management regarded effective in ME/CFS is appropriate for patients diagnosed with criteria that consider post-exertional malaise (PEM) as a hallmark feature. Purpose To appraise current evidence of the effects of physiotherapy on symptoms and functioning in ME/CFS patients in view of the significance of PEM in the applied diagnostic criteria for inclusion. Methods A systematic review of randomized controlled trials published over the last two decades was conducted. Studies evaluating physiotherapeutic interventions for adult ME/CFS patients were included. The diagnostic criteria sets were classified into three groups according to the extent to which the importance of PEM was emphasized: chronic fatigue (CF; PEM not mentioned as a criterion), CFS (PEM included as an optional or minor criterion) or ME (PEM is a required symptom). The main results of included studies were synthesized in relation to the classification of the applied diagnostic criteria. In addition, special attention was given to the tolerability of the interventions. Results Eighteen RCTs were included in the systematic review: three RCTs with CF patients, 14 RCTs with CFS patients and one RCT covering ME patients with PEM. Intervention effects, if any, seemed to disappear with more narrow case definitions, increasing objectivity of the outcome measures and longer follow-up. Conclusion Currently, there is no scientific evidence when it comes to effective physiotherapy for ME patients. Applying treatment that seems effective for CF or CFS patients may have adverse consequences for ME patients and should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjon E A Wormgoor
- Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. .,Division Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Stavern, Norway.
| | - Sanne C Rodenburg
- Department of Physiotherapy, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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25
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Cheshire A, Ridge D, Clark LV, White PD. Sick of the Sick Role: Narratives of What "Recovery" Means to People With CFS/ME. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:298-308. [PMID: 33176575 PMCID: PMC7750673 DOI: 10.1177/1049732320969395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about what recovery means to those with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, a poorly understood, disabling chronic health condition. To explore this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients reporting improvement (n = 9) and deterioration (n = 10) after a guided self-help intervention, and analyzed via "constant comparison." The meaning of recovery differed between participants-expectations for improvement and deployment of the sick role (and associated stigma) were key influences. While some saw recovery as complete freedom from symptoms, many defined it as freedom from the "sick role," with functionality prioritized. Others redefined recovery, reluctant to return to the lifestyle that may have contributed to their illness, or rejected the concept as unhelpful. Recovery is not always about eliminating all symptoms. Rather, it is a nexus between the reality of limited opportunities for full recovery, yet a strong desire to leave the illness behind and regain a sense of "normality."
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Damien Ridge
- University of Westminster, London,
United Kingdom
| | - Lucy V. Clark
- Queen Mary University of London,
London, United Kingdom
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26
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Advances in Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:4715679. [PMID: 33343675 PMCID: PMC7725552 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4715679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of the most common chronic diseases in modern society and affects patients' quality of life to a certain extent. To date, the etiology and pathogenesis of CFS are still not completely clear. Various therapies have been developed, but there is still a lack of specific drugs or treatments. As a kind of adjuvant therapy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has aroused widespread concern about the improvement of CFS. Although a large number of clinical randomized controlled trials have confirmed the therapeutic effect of TCM on CFS, the exact efficacy is still controversial. This article summarizes the clinical research methods and efficacy of TCM in the treatment of CFS over the past five years from the perspectives of syndrome differentiation, external treatment, and combination therapy.
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27
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Systematic Review of Primary Outcome Measurements for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in Randomized Controlled Trials. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113463. [PMID: 31906979 PMCID: PMC7692998 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Due to its unknown etiology, the objective diagnosis and therapeutics of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) are still challenging. Generally, the patient-reported outcome (PRO) is the major strategy driving treatment response because the patient is the most important judge of whether changes are meaningful. Methods: In order to determine the overall characteristics of the main outcome measurement applied in clinical trials for CFS/ME, we systematically surveyed the literature using two electronic databases, PubMed and the Cochrane Library, throughout June 2020. We analyzed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for CFS/ME focusing especially on main measurements. Results: Fifty-two RCTs out of a total 540 searched were selected according to eligibility criteria. Thirty-one RCTs (59.6%) used single primary outcome and others adapted ≥2 kinds of measurements. In total, 15 PRO-derived tools were adapted (50 RCTs; 96.2%) along with two behavioral measurements for adolescents (4 RCTs; 7.7%). The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36; 16 RCTs), Checklist Individual Strength (CIS; 14 RCTs), and Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ; 11 RCTs) were most frequently used as the main outcomes. Since the first RCT in 1996, Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and SF-36 have been dominantly used each in the first and following decade (26.1% and 28.6%, respectively), while both CIS and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) have been the preferred instruments (21.4% each) in recent years (2016 to 2020). Conclusions: This review comprehensively provides the choice pattern of the assessment tools for interventions in RCTs for CFS/ME. Our data would be helpful practically in the design of clinical studies for CFS/ME-related therapeutic development.
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28
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Kujawski S, Cossington J, Słomko J, Dawes H, Strong JW, Estevez-Lopez F, Murovska M, Newton JL, Hodges L, Zalewski P. Prediction of Discontinuation of Structured Exercise Programme in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9113436. [PMID: 33114704 PMCID: PMC7693605 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9113436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the physiological profiles of completers vs. non-completers following a structured exercise programme (SEP) and the ability to predict non-completers, which is currently unknown in this group. Methods: Sixty-nine patients met the Fukuda criteria. Patients completed baseline measures assessing fatigue, autonomic nervous system (ANS), cognitive, and cardiovascular function. Thirty-four patients completed a home-based SEP consisting of 10–40 min per day at between 30 and 80% actual HR max. Exercise intensity and time was increased gradually across the 16 weeks and baseline measures were repeated following the SEP. Results: Thirty-five patients discontinued, while 34 completed SEP. For every increase in sympathetic drive for blood pressure control as measured by the taskforce, completion of SEP decreased by a multiple of 0.1. For a 1 millisecond increase in reaction time for the simple reaction time (SRT), the probability for completion of SEP also decreases by a multiple of 0.01. For a one beat HRmax increase, there is a 4% increase in the odds of completing SEP. Conclusion: The more sympathetic drive in the control of blood vessels, the longer the reaction time on simple visual stimuli and the lower the HRmax during physical exercise, then the lower the chance of SEP completion in ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sławomir Kujawski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (P.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-52-585-36-16
| | - Jo Cossington
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Centre for Movement Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (J.C.); (H.D.)
| | - Joanna Słomko
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (P.Z.)
| | - Helen Dawes
- Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work, Centre for Movement Occupational and Rehabilitation Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK; (J.C.); (H.D.)
- NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX3 7JX, UK
| | - James W.L. Strong
- Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health, The Women Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Fernando Estevez-Lopez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, PO Box 2040 Rotterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Modra Murovska
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Riga Stradiņš University, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Julia L. Newton
- Population Health Science Institute, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Lynette Hodges
- School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Massey University, Palmerston North PN 621, New Zealand;
| | - Paweł Zalewski
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology, Ergonomy and Postgraduate Education, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, M. Sklodowskiej-Curie 9, 85-094 Bydgoszcz, Poland; (J.S.); (P.Z.)
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29
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Tack M, Tuller DM, Struthers C. Bias caused by reliance on patient-reported outcome measures in non-blinded randomized trials: an in-depth look at exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome. FATIGUE: BIOMEDICINE, HEALTH & BEHAVIOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2020.1848262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Tack
- ME/CFS patient not affiliated with an academic institution, Oudenaarde, Belgium
| | - David M. Tuller
- Center for Global Public Health, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Caroline Struthers
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford: Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK
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30
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Collard SS, Murphy J. Management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in a pediatric population: A scoping review. J Child Health Care 2020; 24:411-431. [PMID: 31379194 PMCID: PMC7863118 DOI: 10.1177/1367493519864747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) negatively impacts the quality of life for children with the condition. Although up to 2% of children have CFS/ME, the bulk of research investigates adults with CFS/ME. Using the PRISMA extension for a scoping review and the work of Arksey and O'Malley (2005), a scoping review was conducted of all relevant peer-reviewed research investigating nutrition, exercise, and psychosocial factors within a pediatric population diagnosed with CFS/ME. Key themes found were nutrition and dietary components, exercise therapy, psychosocial factors, and multifaceted treatment. Nutrition was explored on its own as a tool to decrease symptoms; however, there were very few studies found to examine nutritional deficiency or treatment with those under the age of 18. Graded exercise and resistance training improved fatigue severity and symptoms of depression in adolescents with CFS/ME. Research exploring psychosocial factors of CFS/ME presented attributes that could lead to being diagnosed as well as barriers to treatment. The multifaceted treatment undertaken typically consists of graded activities/exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, nutritional advice, and family sessions. This has shown to increase school attendance and decrease the severity of the fatigue for adolescents. Minimal literature exploring CFS/ME within a prepubescent population presents the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S Collard
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Bournemouth, UK
| | - Jane Murphy
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Royal London House, Bournemouth, UK
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31
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Geraghty K. The negative impact of the psychiatric model of chronic fatigue syndrome on doctors’ understanding and management of the illness. FATIGUE: BIOMEDICINE, HEALTH & BEHAVIOR 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/21641846.2020.1834295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Keith Geraghty
- Centre for Primary Care, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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32
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Malik S, Asprusten TT, Pedersen M, Mangersnes J, Trondalen G, van Roy B, Skovlund E, Wyller VB. Cognitive-behavioural therapy combined with music therapy for chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents: a feasibility study. BMJ Paediatr Open 2020; 4:e000620. [PMID: 32342016 PMCID: PMC7173952 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2019-000620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in chronic fatigue syndrome. However, CBT has not been investigated in postinfectious chronic fatigue (CF), nor is it known whether addition of therapeutic elements from other disciplines might be feasible. We studied the feasibility of a combined CBT and music therapy intervention for CF following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in adolescents. METHODS Adolescents (12-20 years old) participating in a postinfectious cohort study who developed CF 6 months after an acute EBV infection were eligible for the present feasibility study. A combined CBT and music therapy programme (10 therapy sessions and related homework) was compared with care as usual in a randomised controlled design. Therapists and participants were blinded to outcome evaluation. Endpoints included physical activity (steps/day), symptom scores, recovery rate and possible harmful effects, but the study was underpowered regarding efficacy. Total follow-up time was 15 months. RESULTS A total of 43 individuals with postinfectious CF were included (21 intervention group, 22 control group). Seven individuals left the study during the first 3 months, leaving 15 in the intervention group and 21 in the control group at 3 months' follow-up. No harmful effects were recorded, and compliance with appointment was high. In intention-to-treat analyses, number of steps/day tended to decrease (difference=-1158, 95% CI -2642 to 325), whereas postexertional malaise tended to improve (difference=-0.4, 95% CI -0.9 to 0.1) in the intervention group at 3 months. At 15 months' follow-up, there was a trend towards higher recovery rate in the intervention group (62% vs 37%). CONCLUSION An intervention study of combined CBT and music therapy in postinfectious CF is feasible, and appears acceptable to the participants. The tendencies towards positive effects on patients' symptoms and recovery might justify a full-scale clinical trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02499302.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Malik
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Tarjei Tørre Asprusten
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maria Pedersen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Drammen Hospital, Drammen, Norway
| | | | - Gro Trondalen
- Center for Music and Health, Norwegian College of Music, Oslo, Norway
| | - Betty van Roy
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| | - Eva Skovlund
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vegard Bruun Wyller
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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33
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Kim DY, Lee JS, Park SY, Kim SJ, Son CG. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). J Transl Med 2020; 18:7. [PMID: 31906979 PMCID: PMC6943902 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-02196-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although medical requirements are urgent, no effective intervention has been proven for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). To facilitate the development of new therapeutics, we systematically reviewed the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for CFS/ME to date. METHODS RCTs targeting CFS/ME were surveyed using two electronic databases, PubMed and the Cochrane library, through April 2019. We included only RCTs that targeted fatigue-related symptoms, and we analyzed the data in terms of the characteristics of the participants, case definitions, primary measurements, and interventions with overall outcomes. RESULTS Among 513 potentially relevant articles, 55 RCTs met our inclusion criteria; these included 25 RCTs of 22 different pharmacological interventions, 28 RCTs of 18 non-pharmacological interventions and 2 RCTs of combined interventions. These studies accounted for a total of 6316 participants (1568 males and 4748 females, 5859 adults and 457 adolescents). CDC 1994 (Fukuda) criteria were mostly used for case definitions (42 RCTs, 76.4%), and the primary measurement tools included the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS, 36.4%) and the 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36, 30.9%). Eight interventions showed statistical significance: 3 pharmacological (Staphypan Berna, Poly(I):poly(C12U) and CoQ10 + NADH) and 5 non-pharmacological therapies (cognitive-behavior-therapy-related treatments, graded-exercise-related therapies, rehabilitation, acupuncture and abdominal tuina). However, there was no definitely effective intervention with coherence and reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review integrates the comprehensive features of previous RCTs for CFS/ME and reflects on their limitations and perspectives in the process of developing new interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Young Kim
- Korean Medical College of Daejeon University, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Seok Lee
- Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bioscience, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 75, Daedeok-daero 176, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Samuel-Young Park
- Korean Medical College of Daejeon University, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Kim
- Korean Medical College of Daejeon University, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bioscience, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 75, Daedeok-daero 176, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Malik S, Asprusten TT, Pedersen M, Mangersnes J, Trondalen G, van Roy B, Skovlund E, Wyller VB. Cognitive-behavioural therapy combined with music therapy for chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Paediatr Open 2020; 4:e000797. [PMID: 33117895 PMCID: PMC7580073 DOI: 10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is effective in chronic fatigue (CF) syndrome. However, CBT has not been investigated in postinfectious CF, nor is it known whether addition of therapeutic elements from other disciplines might be useful. We explored combined CBT and music therapy intervention for CF following Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in adolescents. METHODS Adolescents (12-20 years old) participating in a postinfectious cohort study who developed CF 6 months after an acute EBV infection were eligible for the present study. A combined CBT and music therapy programme (10 therapy sessions and related homework) was compared with care as usual in a randomised controlled design. Therapists and participants were blinded to outcome evaluation. Endpoints included physical activity (steps/day), symptom scores, recovery rate and possible harmful effects, but the study was underpowered regarding efficacy. Total follow-up time was 15 months. Power analyses suggested that 120 participants would be needed in order to detect a moderate effect size. RESULTS A total of 91 individuals with postinfectious CF were eligible, and a total of 43 were included (21 intervention group, 22 control group). Concern regarding school absence due to therapy sessions was the main reason for declining participation. Seven individuals left the study during the first 3 months, leaving 15 in the intervention group and 21 in the control group at 3 months follow-up. No harmful effects were recorded, and compliance with appointment was high. In intention-to-treat analyses, the primary endpoint (number of steps/day) did not differ significantly between the intervention group and the control group (difference (95% CI) =-1298 (-4874 to 2278)). Secondary outcome measures were also not significantly different among the two groups. CONCLUSION An intervention study of combined CBT and music therapy in postinfectious CF is feasible. A fully powered trial is needed to evaluate efficacy; participants' concern regarding school absence should be properly addressed to secure recruitment. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials ID: NCT02499302, registered July 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Malik
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tarjei Tørre Asprusten
- Institutt for klinisk medisin, Universitetet i Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Barne- og Ungdomsklinikken, Akershus Universitetssykehus HF, Lorenskog, Norway
| | - Maria Pedersen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Drammen Hospital, Drammen, Norway
| | | | - Gro Trondalen
- Center for Music and Health, Norwegian College of Music, Oslo, Norway
| | - Betty van Roy
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eva Skovlund
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU-Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Vegard Bruun Wyller
- Pediatrics, Akershus University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institutt for klinisk medisin, Universitetet i Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Larun L, Brurberg KG, Odgaard-Jensen J, Price JR. Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 10:CD003200. [PMID: 31577366 PMCID: PMC6953363 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd003200.pub8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Editorial Note A statement from the Editor in Chief about this review and its planned update is available here: https://www.cochrane.org/news/cfs BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a serious disorder characterised by persistent postexertional fatigue and substantial symptoms related to cognitive, immune and autonomous dysfunction. There is no specific diagnostic test, therefore diagnostic criteria are used to diagnose CFS. The prevalence of CFS varies by type of diagnostic criteria used. Existing treatment strategies primarily aim to relieve symptoms and improve function. One treatment option is exercise therapy. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review was to determine the effects of exercise therapy for adults with CFS compared with any other intervention or control on fatigue, adverse outcomes, pain, physical functioning, quality of life, mood disorders, sleep, self-perceived changes in overall health, health service resources use and dropout. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Common Mental Disorders Group controlled trials register, CENTRAL, and SPORTDiscus up to May 2014, using a comprehensive list of free-text terms for CFS and exercise. We located unpublished and ongoing studies through the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform up to May 2014. We screened reference lists of retrieved articles and contacted experts in the field for additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) about adults with a primary diagnosis of CFS, from all diagnostic criteria, who were able to participate in exercise therapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently performed study selection, 'Risk of bias' assessments and data extraction. We combined continuous measures of outcomes using mean differences (MDs) or standardised mean differences (SMDs). To facilitate interpretation of SMDs, we re-expressed SMD estimates as MDs on more common measurement scales. We combined dichotomous outcomes using risk ratios (RRs). We assessed the certainty of evidence using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS We included eight RCTs with data from 1518 participants.Exercise therapy lasted from 12 weeks to 26 weeks. The studies measured effect at the end of the treatment and at long-term follow-up, after 50 weeks or 72 weeks.Seven studies used aerobic exercise therapies such as walking, swimming, cycling or dancing, provided at mixed levels in terms of intensity of the aerobic exercise from very low to quite rigorous, and one study used anaerobic exercise. Control groups consisted of passive control, including treatment as usual, relaxation or flexibility (eight studies); cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) (two studies); cognitive therapy (one study); supportive listening (one study); pacing (one study); pharmacological treatment (one study) and combination treatment (one study).Most studies had a low risk of selection bias. All had a high risk of performance and detection bias.Exercise therapy compared with 'passive' controlExercise therapy probably reduces fatigue at end of treatment (SMD -0.66, 95% CI -1.01 to -0.31; 7 studies, 840 participants; moderate-certainty evidence; re-expressed MD -3.4, 95% CI -5.3 to -1.6; scale 0 to 33). We are uncertain if fatigue is reduced in the long term because the certainty of the evidence is very low (SMD -0.62, 95 % CI -1.32 to 0.07; 4 studies, 670 participants; re-expressed MD -3.2, 95% CI -6.9 to 0.4; scale 0 to 33).We are uncertain about the risk of serious adverse reactions because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.14 to 6.97; 1 study, 319 participants).Exercise therapy may moderately improve physical functioning at end of treatment, but the long-term effect is uncertain because the certainty of the evidence is very low. Exercise therapy may also slightly improve sleep at end of treatment and at long term. The effect of exercise therapy on pain, quality of life and depression is uncertain because evidence is missing or of very low certainty.Exercise therapy compared with CBTExercise therapy may make little or no difference to fatigue at end of treatment (MD 0.20, 95% CI -1.49 to 1.89; 1 study, 298 participants; low-certainty evidence), or at long-term follow-up (SMD 0.07, 95% CI -0.13 to 0.28; 2 studies, 351 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).We are uncertain about the risk of serious adverse reactions because the certainty of the evidence is very low (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.11 to 3.96; 1 study, 321 participants).The available evidence suggests that there may be little or no difference between exercise therapy and CBT in physical functioning or sleep (low-certainty evidence) and probably little or no difference in the effect on depression (moderate-certainty evidence). We are uncertain if exercise therapy compared to CBT improves quality of life or reduces pain because the evidence is of very low certainty.Exercise therapy compared with adaptive pacingExercise therapy may slightly reduce fatigue at end of treatment (MD -2.00, 95% CI -3.57 to -0.43; scale 0 to 33; 1 study, 305 participants; low-certainty evidence) and at long-term follow-up (MD -2.50, 95% CI -4.16 to -0.84; scale 0 to 33; 1 study, 307 participants; low-certainty evidence).We are uncertain about the risk of serious adverse reactions (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.14 to 6.97; 1 study, 319 participants; very low-certainty evidence).The available evidence suggests that exercise therapy may slightly improve physical functioning, depression and sleep compared to adaptive pacing (low-certainty evidence). No studies reported quality of life or pain.Exercise therapy compared with antidepressantsWe are uncertain if exercise therapy, alone or in combination with antidepressants, reduces fatigue and depression more than antidepressant alone, as the certainty of the evidence is very low. The one included study did not report on adverse reactions, pain, physical functioning, quality of life, sleep or long-term results. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Exercise therapy probably has a positive effect on fatigue in adults with CFS compared to usual care or passive therapies. The evidence regarding adverse effects is uncertain. Due to limited evidence it is difficult to draw conclusions about the comparative effectiveness of CBT, adaptive pacing or other interventions. All studies were conducted with outpatients diagnosed with 1994 criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Oxford criteria, or both. Patients diagnosed using other criteria may experience different effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillebeth Larun
- Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Postboks 4404 Nydalen, Oslo, Norway, N-0403
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Dai L, Zhou WJ, Wang M, Zhou SG, Ji G. Efficacy and safety of Sijunzi Decoction for chronic fatigue syndrome with spleen deficiency pattern: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:587. [PMID: 31807568 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.09.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which is characterized by severe and disabling fatigue, has become an extensively concerned medical disorder in clinical practice. Due to the unclear etiology, current treatments are symptomatic or need assistance from psychology and kinesiology. Under the immature conditions in China, many patients would seek help from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in which Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is one of the main interventions. Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD) is a classical formula and has been utilized in improving fatigue symptoms for a long time. However, lack of rigorously-designed randomized controlled trial limits its application and generalization in CFS management. Hence, we design this clinical trial to assess the effectiveness and safety of SJZD for CFS. Methods This is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Two hundred and twelve patients with CFS will be recruited from public and equally allocated to SJZD group and placebo group. Based on the general education, these two groups will receive corresponding drugs twice a day for consecutive 2 months. The follow-up period will be 1 month. The primary outcome will be the change of Chalder fatigue scoring after treatment. Secondary outcomes include the short form-36 physical function subscale (SF36-PF), spleen deficiency rating scale, quality of life and self-rated clinical global impression (CGI) scales. Discussion The four ingredients of SJZD are Renshen (Radix Ginseng), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fulin (Poria) and Zhigancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae Preparata), which show potential to alleviate CFS on the foundation of available studies. The results of this trial will provide high-quality clinical evidence for the application of SJZD, and hope to further support a new TCM choice in CFS treatment. Trial registration ISRCTN23930966 (ISRCTN registry, registered on 28th May, 2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Dai
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Wen-Jun Zhou
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Miao Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Shi-Gao Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guang Ji
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
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Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: From pathophysiological insights to novel therapeutic opportunities. Pharmacol Res 2019; 148:104450. [PMID: 31509764 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a common and disabling condition with a paucity of effective and evidence-based therapies, reflecting a major unmet need. Cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise are of modest benefit for only some ME/CFS patients, and many sufferers report aggravation of symptoms of fatigue with exercise. The presence of a multiplicity of pathophysiological abnormalities in at least the subgroup of people with ME/CFS diagnosed with the current international consensus "Fukuda" criteria, points to numerous potential therapeutic targets. Such abnormalities include extensive data showing that at least a subgroup has a pro-inflammatory state, increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, disruption of gut mucosal barriers and mitochondrial dysfunction together with dysregulated bioenergetics. In this paper, these pathways are summarised, and data regarding promising therapeutic options that target these pathways are highlighted; they include coenzyme Q10, melatonin, curcumin, molecular hydrogen and N-acetylcysteine. These data are promising yet preliminary, suggesting hopeful avenues to address this major unmet burden of illness.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The current review aims to determine the recent evidence regarding cause, impact, effective treatment and prognosis of children and young people (CYP) affected by chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) at a time when the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines in the United Kingdom are being reviewed and more research is called for worldwide. RECENT FINDINGS CFS/ME is a debilitating illness with no clear cause. This review describes the heterogeneous clinical picture and the effects on the young person and family. Comorbidities such as mood disorders and pain are discussed including evidence for treatment. The various aetiological hypotheses are discussed and the precipitating factors identified. The evidence base is limited regarding effective treatment for CYP with CFS/ME, particularly the severely affected group. A large trial of online cognitive behavioural therapy with teenagers is being explored in the United Kingdom. The Lightning Process has been shown to be effective when added to medical care. SUMMARY Current evidence is hampered by different diagnostic criteria, the heterogeneous nature of the condition, and limited number of small studies. There is a clear need for more research and larger studies exploring the cause of and most effective treatment for CYP with CFS/ME.
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Sharpe M, Goldsmith K, Chalder T. The PACE trial of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome: a response to WILSHIRE et al. BMC Psychol 2019; 7:15. [PMID: 30871632 PMCID: PMC6419398 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-019-0288-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is chronic disabling illness characterized by severe disabling fatigue, typically made worse by exertion. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is thought by some to be the same disorder (then referred to as CFS/ME) and by others to be different. There is an urgent need to find effective treatments for CFS. The UK Medical Research Council PACE trial published in 2011 compared available treatments and concluded that when added to specialist medical care, cognitive behaviour therapy and graded exercise therapy were more effective in improving both fatigue and physical function in participants with CFS, than both adaptive pacing therapy and specialised medical care alone. In this paper, we respond to the methodological criticisms of the trial and a reanalysis of the trial data reported by Wilshire at al. We conclude that neither the criticisms nor the reanalysis offer any convincing reason to change the conclusions of the PACE trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sharpe
- University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK.
| | - Kim Goldsmith
- Biostatistics & Health Informatics Department, Division of Psychology and Systems Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Academic Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
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Cheshire A, Ridge D, Clark L, White P. Guided graded Exercise Self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome: patient experiences and perceptions. Disabil Rehabil 2018; 42:368-377. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2018.1499822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Cheshire
- College of Arts and Liberal Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Damien Ridge
- College of Arts and Liberal Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Lucy Clark
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London, UK
| | - Peter White
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London, UK
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Blease C, Geraghty KJ. Are ME/CFS Patient Organizations "Militant"? : Patient Protest in a Medical Controversy. JOURNAL OF BIOETHICAL INQUIRY 2018; 15:393-401. [PMID: 29971693 DOI: 10.1007/s11673-018-9866-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a contested illness category. This paper investigates the common claim that patients with ME/CFS-and by extension, ME/CFS patient organizations (POs)-exhibit "militant" social and political tendencies. The paper opens with a history of the protracted scientific disagreement over ME/CFS. We observe that ME/CFS POs, medical doctors, and medical researchers exhibit clear differences in opinion over how to conceptualize this illness. However, we identify a common trope in the discourse over ME/CFS: the claim of "militant" patient activism. Scrutinizing this charge, we find no compelling evidence that the vast majority of patients with ME/CFS, or the POs representing them, have adopted any such militant political policies or behaviours. Instead, we observe key strategic similarities between ME/CFS POs in the United Kingdom and the AIDs activist organizations of the mid-1980s in the United States which sought to engage scientists using the platform of public activism and via scientific publications. Finally, we explore the contours of disagreement between POs and the medical community by drawing on the concept of epistemic injustice. We find that widespread negative stereotyping of patients and the marginalization and exclusion of patient voices by medical authorities provides a better explanation for expressions of frustration among patients with ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Blease
- General Medicine and Primary Care Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Keith J Geraghty
- Centre for Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, School of Community Based Medicine, University of Manchester, 7.29, Williamson Building, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, USA
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Wood A. Graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome in GETSET. Lancet 2018; 391:1161-1162. [PMID: 29595493 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30619-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Wood
- University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8AQ, UK.
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Twisk F. Graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome in GETSET. Lancet 2018; 391:1161. [PMID: 29595494 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30673-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frank Twisk
- ME-de-patiënten Foundation, Limmen, 1906 HB, Netherlands.
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Crawford JS. Graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome in GETSET. Lancet 2018; 391:1160. [PMID: 29595492 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30621-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joan S Crawford
- The Brain Charity, Liverpool, UK; Chester MESH (ME Self-Help), Chester, CH2 2AN, UK; Chronic Pain Management Service, St Helens Hospital, St Helens, UK.
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Clark LV, Pesola F, Thomas JM, Vergara-Williamson M, Beynon M, White PD. Graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome in GETSET - Authors' reply. Lancet 2018; 391:1162. [PMID: 29595495 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30684-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy V Clark
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| | - Francesca Pesola
- Centre for Cancer Prevention, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Janice M Thomas
- Vice Principal (Health) Offices, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Mario Vergara-Williamson
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalopathy Service, Kent and Medway National Health Service and Social Care Partnership Trust, Maidstone, Kent, UK
| | - Michelle Beynon
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Peter D White
- Centre for Psychiatry, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Bart's and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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46
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Kirke KD. Graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome in GETSET. Lancet 2018; 391:1159-1160. [PMID: 29595490 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30622-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Saunders RH. Graded exercise self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome in GETSET. Lancet 2018; 391:1160-1161. [PMID: 29595491 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30620-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Bland JS. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Functional Mitochondriopathy, and Enterohepatic Dysfunction. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2017; 16:18-21. [PMID: 30936800 PMCID: PMC6438100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has remained a medical enigma since it was first reported in the late 1980s by Paul Cheney, MD, PhD, who-along with his medical partner in Incline Village, Nevada-made the observation of a group of his patients all having serious and unremitting fatigue following a significant winter flu season. I was introduced to Dr Cheney by Scott Rigden, MD, an expert in the study of chronic fatigue syndrome and also a key advisor to me during the founding days of the Institute for Functional Medicine. From 1989 to 1991, Dr Cheney was an important contributor to the development of concepts underlying the Functional Medicine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Clauw
- Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA.
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