Countrygirl
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http://www.cambridge.org.https.sci-...rolled-trial/5D0DAAB8740D23688778FD2239317101
I hesitate to post this on the research forum, but for what it is worth.
This is a new paper just published in the BJ of Psychiatry which reports the successful treatment of ME with internet CBT.
I hesitate to post this on the research forum, but for what it is worth.
This is a new paper just published in the BJ of Psychiatry which reports the successful treatment of ME with internet CBT.
Efficacy of web-based cognitive–behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial A. Janse, M. Worm-Smeitink, G. Bleijenberg, R. Donders and H. Knoop
Interventions, treatment adherence and treatment integrity
The two iCBT conditions tested in this trial are based on a face-toface CBT for CFS protocol.
17 The cognitive–behavioural model of CFS assumes that fatigue-related behaviours and beliefs perpetuate fatigue and impairment
Safety of CBT for CFS Internet makes evidence-based interventions more accessible to more patients, especially those living far from healthcare facilities and those whose mobility is compromised by their condition.
There is an ongoing debate in the literature and among patient advocacy groups that challenge the efficacy and safety of CBT for CFS. First, in line with previous studies this study has shown that a subgroup of patients with CFS were able to reduce their fatigue severity to healthy proportions and reduce their overall impairment and improve psychological well-being.18,32
Second, this study has shown, in line with previous research, that CBT is a safe intervention.33,34 Unfortunately, only half of the patients in our trial were asked to report on the occurrence of adverse events as this evaluation was not added until a portal update halfway through the study. Still, the available data did not show more patients with adverse events in the iCBT conditions compared with the waiting-list condition and none of the adverse events reported were serious. Furthermore, we found no evidence of a higher prevalence of clinically significant exacerbation in fatigue and other outcomes in the treatment conditions.
Implications
Our current trial was a first attempt to develop and test a web-based CBT for adults with CFS. We think that treatment results can be further optimised, for example by communication via video conferencing and using physical activity apps with affirmative feedback. In the Western world healthcare budgets are overstretched and psychological treatments are increasingly delivered digitally to reduce the costs of intervention. This web-based CBT programme, offers adults with CFS a new and efficacious treatment option.