Cognitive-behavior therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: is improvement related to increased physical activity?
This multiple case study of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) compared self-report and behavioral outcomes. Eleven relatively high-functioning participants with CFS received 6-32 sessions of outpatient graded-activity oriented CBT. Self-report outcomes included measures of fatigue impact, physical function, depression, anxiety, and global change. Behavioral outcomes included actigraphy and the 6-minute walking test. Global change ratings were very much improved (n=2), much improved (n=2), improved (n=5), and no change (n=2). Of those reporting improvement, clinically significant actigraphy increases (n=3) and decreases (n=4) were found, as well as no significant change (n=2). The nature of clinical improvement in CBT trials for high-functioning CFS patients may be more ambiguous than that postulated by the cognitive-behavioral model.
Friedberg
Fred
F
Stony Brook University. Fred.Friedberg@stonybrook.edu
Sohl
Stephanie
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D055815:Young Adult