In search of a new balance. Can high "action-proneness" in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome be changed by a multidisciplinary group treatment?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in action-proneness (a cognitive and behavioral tendency toward direct action) after a multidisciplinary group intervention, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET).


METHODS
Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (n=62) completed three versions of a Dutch self-report questionnaire evaluating action-proneness retrospectively that is (1) before illness onset, (2) before treatment and (3) after treatment. Significant others (n=62) also gave their opinion about the patients' action-proneness at time points 1 and 2.


RESULTS
Premorbid action-proneness levels considerably dropped after illness onset. After treatment, action-proneness levels significantly increased again, although levels remained below premorbid levels.


CONCLUSIONS
High action-proneness retrospectively reported by CFS patients can be adaptively modified by a multidisciplinary group treatment including CBT and GET.
Van Houdenhove
Boudewijn
B
Chronic Fatigue Reference Centre, University Hospitals, K.U. Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. boudewijn.vanhoudenhove@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Bruyninckx
Karolien
K
Luyten
Patrick
P
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group