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Gaunt DM, Brigden A, Harris SRS, Hollingworth W, Jago R, Solomon-Moore E, Beasant L, Mills N, Sinai P, Crawley E, Metcalfe C. Graded exercise therapy compared to activity management for paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Eur J Pediatr 2024; 183:2343-2351. [PMID: 38429546 PMCID: PMC11035451 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
The MAGENTA pragmatic parallel groups randomized controlled trial compared graded exercise therapy (GET) with activity management (AM) in treating paediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Children aged 8-17 years with mild/moderate ME/CFS and presenting to NHS specialist paediatric services were allocated at random to either individualised flexible treatment focussing on physical activity (GET, 123 participants) or on managing cognitive, school and social activity (AM, 118 participants) delivered by NHS therapists. The primary outcome was the self-reported short-form 36 physical function subscale (SF-36-PFS) after 6 months, with higher scores indicating better functioning. After 6 months, data were available for 201 (83%) participants who received a mean of 3.9 (GET) or 4.6 (AM) treatment sessions. Comparing participants with measured outcomes in their allocated groups, the mean SF-36-PFS score changed from 54.8 (standard deviation 23.7) to 55.7 (23.3) for GET and from 55.5 (23.1) to 57.7 (26.0) for AM giving an adjusted difference in means of -2.02 (95% confidence interval -7.75, 2.70). One hundred thirty-five participants completed the mean SF-36-PFS at 12 months, and whilst further improvement was observed, the difference between the study groups remained consistent with chance. The two study groups showed similar changes on most of the secondary outcome measures: Chalder Fatigue, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale: Depression, proportion of full-time school attended, a visual analogue pain scale, participant-rated change and accelerometer measured physical activity, whether at the 6-month or 12-month assessment. There was an isolated finding of some evidence of an improvement in anxiety in those allocated to GET, as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at 6 months, with the 12-month assessment, and the Spence Children's Anxiety scale being aligned with that finding. There was weak evidence of a greater risk of deterioration with GET (27%) than with AM (17%; p = 0.069). At conventional UK cost per QALY thresholds, the probability that GET is more cost-effective than AM ranged from 18 to 21%. Whilst completion of the SF-36-PFS, Chalder Fatigue Scale and EQ-5D-Y was good at the 6-month assessment point, it was less satisfactory for other measures, and for all measures at the 12-month assessment. Conclusion: There was no evidence that GET was more effective or cost-effective than AM in this setting, with very limited improvement in either study group evident by the 6-month or 12-month assessment points. Trial registration: The study protocol was registered at www.isrctn.com (3rd September 2015; ISRCTN 23962803) before the start of enrolment to the initial feasibility phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy M Gaunt
- Bristol Medical School, Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
- Bristol Medical School, Bristol Trials Centre, University of Bristol, 1-5 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 1NU, UK
| | - Amberly Brigden
- Digital Health, School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS1 5DD, UK
| | - Shaun R S Harris
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - William Hollingworth
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Russell Jago
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Emma Solomon-Moore
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Lucy Beasant
- Bristol Medical School, Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Nicola Mills
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Parisa Sinai
- Bristol Medical School, Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Esther Crawley
- Bristol Medical School, Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK.
- Bristol Medical School, Bristol Trials Centre, University of Bristol, 1-5 Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 1NU, UK.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Gaunt D, Brigden A, Metcalfe C, Loades M, Crawley E. Investigating the factors associated with meaningful improvement on the SF-36-PFS and exploring the appropriateness of this measure for young people with ME/CFS accessing an NHS specialist service: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069110. [PMID: 37620254 PMCID: PMC10450087 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Paediatric myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is relatively common and disabling, but little is known about the factors associated with outcome. We aimed to describe the number and characteristics of young people reaching the 10-point minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of SF-36-Physical Function Subscale (SF-36-PFS) and to investigate factors associated with reaching the MCID. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING A specialist UK National Health Service ME/CFS service, Southwest England; recruitment between March 2014 and August 2015. PARTICIPANTS 193 eligible patients with ME/CFS aged 8-17 years reported baseline data. 124 (65%) and 121 (63%) with outcome data at 6 and 12 months, respectively. OUTCOME MEASURES SF-36-PFS (primary outcome). Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire, school attendance, visual analogue pain scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Spence Young People Anxiety Scale, Clinical Global Impression scale and EQ-5D-Y (secondary). RESULTS At 6 months 48/120 (40%) had reached the MCID for SF-36-PFS. This had increased to 63/117 (54%) at 12 months. On the Clinical Global Impressions, 77% and 79% reported feeling either a little better, much better or very much better. Those with worse SF-36-PFS at baseline assessment were more likely to achieve the MCID for SF-36-PFS at 6 months (odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.96 to 0.99, p value 0.003), but there was weaker evidence of effect at 12 months (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.00, p value 0.038). No other factors at baseline were associated with the odds of reaching the MCID at 6 months. However, at 12 months, there was strong evidence of an effect of pain on MCID (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.99, p value 0.001) and SF-36-PFS on MCID (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94 to 0.98, p value 0.001). CONCLUSIONS 40% and 54% of young people reached the MCID at 6 and 12 months, respectively. No factors at assessment (other than SF-36-PFS at 6 months, and pain and SF-36-PFS at 12 months) are associated with MCID of SF-36-PFS at either 6 or 12 months. Further work is needed to explore the most appropriate outcome measure for capturing clinical meaningful improvement for young people with ME/CFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy Gaunt
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Amberly Brigden
- Digital Health, School of Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Chris Metcalfe
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Maria Loades
- Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Esther Crawley
- Centre for Academic Child Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Allonsius F, van Markus-Doornbosch F, de Kloet A, Lambregts S, Vliet Vlieland T, van der Holst M. Fatigue in young patients with acquired brain injury in the rehabilitation setting: Categorizing and interpreting fatigue severity levels. Dev Neurorehabil 2022; 25:542-553. [PMID: 35881762 DOI: 10.1080/17518423.2022.2099994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fatigue in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) is common. However, to better target fatigue, clear ways to categorize/interpret fatigue-severity in individual patients are lacking. This study aims to determine/categorize fatigue severity among children, adolescents, and young adults with ABI. METHODS This cross-sectional study included young patients admitted to outpatient rehabilitation and their parents. To determine fatigue, the PedsQL™Multidimensional-Fatigue-Scale was used (MFS, scores 0-100, lower scores = higher fatigue, patient-/parent-reported). Based on scores from a reference population, four categories were formed: "1 = no/little fatigued" to "4 = severely-more fatigued." RESULTS All scores were lower than those from the reference population, with comparisons in the adolescent and young adult groups reaching statistical significance (p < .05). The proportions of patients in category 4 were: 9%/50%/58% among children/adolescents/young adults, showing that many patients were "severely-more fatigued"-than the reference population. CONCLUSIONS Measuring fatigue and categorizing fatigue severity looks promising for clinical practice and could help to better target fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Allonsius
- Basalt Rehabilitation Center, Department of Innovation, Quality and Research, The Hague, The Netherlands.,Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Arend de Kloet
- Basalt Rehabilitation Center, Department of Innovation, Quality and Research, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Lambregts
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Revant Rehabilitation Center, Breda, The Netherlands
| | - Thea Vliet Vlieland
- Basalt Rehabilitation Center, Department of Innovation, Quality and Research, The Hague, The Netherlands.,Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Menno van der Holst
- Basalt Rehabilitation Center, Department of Innovation, Quality and Research, The Hague, The Netherlands.,Department of Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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