scholarly journals Response to Adamson et al. (2020): ‘Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: Outcomes from a specialist clinic in the UK’

2021 ◽  
pp. 135910532110082
Author(s):  
Brian M Hughes ◽  
David Tuller
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Sample Attrition ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Peer Reviewers ◽  
The Uk

In a paper published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Adamson et al. (2020) interpret data as showing that cognitive behavioural therapy leads to improvement in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic fatigue. Their research is undermined by several methodological limitations, including: (a) sampling ambiguity; (b) weak measurement; (c) survivor bias; (d) missing data and (e) lack of a control group. Unacknowledged sample attrition renders statements in the published Abstract misleading with regard to points of fact. That the paper was approved by peer reviewers and editors illustrates how non-rigorous editorial processes contribute to systematic publication bias.

scholarly journals RESPONSE TO ADAMSON ET AL. (2020): “COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME: OUTCOMES FROM A SPECIALIST CLINIC IN THE UK”

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Hughes ◽  
David Tuller
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Scientific Publication ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Sample Attrition ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Uk

In this review, we consider the paper by Adamson et al., published in the October 2020 issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. The authors interpret their data as revealing significant improvements following cognitive behavioural therapy in a large sample of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic fatigue. Overall, the research is hampered by several fundamental methodological limitations that are not acknowledged sufficiently, or at all, by the authors. These include: (a) sampling ambiguity; (b) weak measurement; (c) survivor bias; (d) missing data; and (e) lack of a control group. In particular, the study is critically hampered by sample attrition, rendering the presentation of statements in the Abstract misleading with regard to points of fact, and, in our view, urgently requiring a formal published correction. In light of the fact that the paper was approved by multiple peer-reviewers and editors, we reflect on what its publication can teach us about the nature of contemporary scientific publication practices.

scholarly journals Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: outcomes from a specialist clinic in the UK

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (10) ◽  
pp. 394-402
Author(s):  
James Adamson ◽  
Sheila Ali ◽  
Alastair Santhouse ◽  
Simon Wessely ◽  
Trudie Chalder
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Uk

Objectives Cognitive behavioural therapy is commonly used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome and has been shown to be effective for reducing fatigue and improving physical functioning. Most of the evidence on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome is from randomised control trials, but there are only a few studies in naturalistic treatment settings. Our aim was to examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in a naturalistic setting and examine what factors, if any, predicted outcome. Design Using linear mixed effects analysis, we analysed patients' self-reported symptomology over the course of treatment and at three-month follow-up. Furthermore, we explored what baseline factors were associated with improvement at follow-up. Setting Data were available for 995 patients receiving cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome at an outpatient clinic in the UK. Participants Participants were referred consecutively to a specialist unit for chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome. Main outcome measures Patients were assessed throughout their treatment using self-report measures including the Chalder Fatigue Scale, 36-item Short Form Health Survey, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Global Improvement and Satisfaction. Results Patients’ fatigue, physical functioning and social adjustment scores significantly improved over the duration of treatment with medium to large effect sizes (|d| = 0.45–0.91). Furthermore, 85% of patients self-reported that they felt an improvement in their fatigue at follow-up and 90% were satisfied with their treatment. None of the regression models convincingly predicted improvement in outcomes with the best model being (R2 = 0.137). Conclusions Patients’ fatigue, physical functioning and social adjustment all significantly improved following cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in a naturalistic outpatient setting. These findings support the growing evidence from previous randomised control trials and suggest that cognitive behavioural therapy could be an effective treatment in routine treatment settings.

scholarly journals Chronic fatigue syndrome: Comparing outcomes in White British and Black and minority ethnic patients after cognitive–behavioural therapy

2016 ◽  
Vol 209 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Ingman ◽  
Sheila Ali ◽  
Kamaldeep Bhui ◽  
Trudie Chalder
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Resting Behaviour ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Minority Ethnic

BackgroundCognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most promising treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is unclear whether CBT is effective for Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups.AimsTo assess the effectiveness of CBT in BME patients compared with White British patients presenting to a specialist CFS service.MethodData from 67 (19.0%) BME participants and 285 (81.0%) White British participants referred to a specialist CFS service in the UK were collected at baseline and after CBT treatment.ResultsPairwise comparisons revealed that both BME participants and White British participants significantly improved on measures of fatigue severity (P<0.001), physical functioning (P<0.001) and work/social adjustment (P<0.001). Independent samples t-tests showed that BME participants improved despite exhibiting significantly higher baseline damage beliefs (P = 0.009), catastrophising (P = 0.024), all-or-nothing behaviour (P = 0.036) and avoidance/resting behaviour (P = 0.001), compared with White British participants.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to indicate that CBT is effective for treating CFS in a group of patients from diverse BME backgrounds.

White matter changes following cognitive behavioural therapy in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

NeuroImage ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 47 ◽  
pp. S55
Author(s):  
J. Scholz ◽  
F.P. De Lange ◽  
J.W. van der Meer ◽  
G. Bleijenberg ◽  
P. Hagoort ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
White Matter Changes ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural

scholarly journals Effect of psychiatric disorders on outcome of cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Prins ◽  
Gijs Bleijenberg ◽  
Eufride Klein Rouweler ◽  
Jos Van Der Meer
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Behavioural Therapy ◽  
Psychiatric Diagnoses ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
Fatigue Syndrome ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
The Impact

SummaryPsychiatric disorders have been associated with poor outcome in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). This study examines the impact of psychiatric disorders on outcome of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed with a structured psychiatric interview in a CBT trial of 270 people with CFS. Lifetime and current psychiatric disorders were found in 50 and 32% respectively. No significant differences in fatigue severity and functional impairment following treatment were found between participants with and without psychiatric diagnoses.

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