Cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: randomized controlled trial

Abstract

. Stulemeijer M, de Jong LWAM, Fiselier TJW, Hoogveld SWB, Bleijenberg G . ( 2005 ) , 330 , 14 – 17 . Objective To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with chronic fatigue syndrome.Design Randomized controlled trial.Setting Department of child psychology.Participants A total of 71 consecutively referred patients with chronic fatigue syndrome; 36 were randomly assigned to immediate cognitive behaviour therapy and 35 to the waiting list for therapy.Intervention Ten sessions of therapy over 5 months. Treatment protocols depended on the type of activity pattern (relatively active or passive). All participants were assessed again after 5 months.Main outcome measures Fatigue severity (checklist individual strength), functional impairment (SF‐36 physical functioning), and school attendance.Results A total of 62 patients had complete data at 5 months (29 in the immediate therapy group and 33 on the waiting list). Patients in the therapy group reported significantly greater decrease in fatigue severity (difference in decrease on checklist individual strength was 14.5, 95% confidence interval 7.4 to 21.6) and functional impairment (difference in increase on SF‐36 physical functioning was 17.3, 6.2 to 28.4) and their attendance at school increased significantly (difference in increase in percentage school attendance was 18.2, 0.8 to 35.5). They also reported a significant reduction in several accompanying symptoms. Self reported improvement was largest in the therapy group.Conclusion Cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents.