Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): cognitive behavioural therapy or rehabilitation?

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); Nervous System Diseases; Postviral fatigue syndrome

• Registration Number: ISRCTN77567702
• Lead Sponsor: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) (Netherlands)

Brief Summary

Not available

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2009-02-27
• Last Update Posted: 3 July 2017

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 240

Inclusion Criteria

Patients are included if they fulfil the CDC-94 criteria for CFS and score more or equal to 40 on the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS)-fatigue questionnaire. CDC-94 criteria for CFS are as follows:

At least 6 months of persistent or recurring fatigue for which no physical explanation has been found and which:
1. Is of new onset, that is to say it has not been lifelong
2. Is not the result of ongoing exertion
3. Is not substantially alleviated by rest
4. Severely limits functioning

In combination with four or more of the following symptoms, persistent or regularly recurring over a period of 6 months and which must not have predated the fatigue:
5. Self-reported impairment in memory or concentration
6. Sore throat
7. Tender cervical lymph nodes
8. Muscle pain
9. Multi-joint pains
10. Headache
11. Unrefreshing sleep
12. Post-exertional malaise lasting 24 hours or longer

Other additional inclusion criteria for this study are:
13. Patients are willing to participate in a treatment which is set up to change behaviour
14. Aged between 18 years and 60 years, either sex
15. Able to speak, understand and write the Dutch language

Exclusion Criteria

1. Any medical condition that may explain the presence of chronic fatigue
2. A psychotic, major or bipolar depressive disorder (but not an uncomplicated depression)
3. Dementia
4. Anorexia or bulimia nervosa
5. Alcohol and/or drug abuse
6. Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] greater than or equal to 45)
7. Pregnancy
8. Not able to speak, understand or write the Dutch language
9. Patients who had cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and multidisciplinary rehabilitation therapy (MRT) in the past involving CFS

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified