Long-term outcomes of an integrative rehabilitation program on quality of life: a follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the long-term effects of an integrative rehabilitation program on the overall quality of life of individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


METHODS
This study utilized a within-subjects, repeated measures cohort design. Twenty-three subjects diagnosed with CFS attended eight sessions of an illness-management group followed by 7 months of goal-oriented, individualized counseling that occurred once weekly for 30 min per session. Quality of life was assessed at five time points (baseline, following the group phase, following the one-on-one phase, and 4 and 12 months following program completion).


RESULTS
A within-subjects repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant increases in overall quality of life for up to 1 year following program completion [F(4, 21)=23.5, P<.001].


CONCLUSIONS
Definitive conclusions about program efficacy are limited by design issues. However, findings suggest that the program may have led to improvement in quality of life for up to 1 year following program completion.
Taylor
Renee R
RR
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. rtaylor@uic.edu
Thanawala
Sachi G
SG
Shiraishi
Yukiko
Y
Schoeny
Michael E
ME
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002641:Chicago; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012046:Rehabilitation; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome