Recovery From Chronic Fatigue Is Possible, and More Likely With These Therapies
New research out of the U.
K.
offers hope to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Recovery is possible.
In addition to this hopeful message, the study points the way to therapies that are most likely to be effective, as well as those that are not.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by intense fatigue (worsened by physical or mental exertion), poor sleep, concentration and memory issues and physical pain.
The fact that not much is known about the cause of the condition along with the lack of a standardized, effective treatment protocol may lead some patients to think they're in it for the long haul.
For at least one in five sufferers, this may not be the case.
Researchers analyzed the recovery rates of 640 patients one year after being randomized into one of four treatment groups: · Standardized medical care (SMC) · SMC plus adaptive pacing therapy · SMC plus cognitive behavioral therapy · SMC plus graded exercise therapy In this study, standard medical care and the addition of adaptive pacing yielded comparable results; 7% and 8%, respectively, met criteria for recovery after one year.
The cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise groups, however, each yielded a 22% recovery rate.
Adaptive pacing therapy aims to train patients to adapt to their illnesses by pacing, prioritizing, planning and balancing rest and activity; the goal is to gradually increase patient tolerance of activity.
Graded exercise therapy is similar in its goal - increasing tolerable activity levels - but uses a structured exercise program that increases in intensity as time goes on.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy in which patients analyze their thoughts, fears, beliefs and attitudes about their conditions.
This can lead to more positive cognitive and, therefore, behavioral adaptations to pain as well as alleviating anxiety and depression, which correspond with higher levels of physical pain.
This study supports previous research into the superior usefulness of cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy in relieving symptoms and disability related to CFS over adaptive pacing or standard therapy.
However, it is novel in its outcome measure of complete recovery.
See more on the study at http://www.
sciencedaily.
com/releases/2013/01/130131120851.
htm.
These results should not be taken to mean that only one in five patients are likely to recover from CFS.
Rather, they should indicate that different therapies work for different people, and there may be other therapies this study didn't look into that work for some patients.
Also, some patients may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, who don't recover with graded exercise.
There are viable and safe treatment options out there.
Patients may be able to get insurance coverage for these types of therapy with a doctor's referral, making them accessible to many.
K.
offers hope to patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): Recovery is possible.
In addition to this hopeful message, the study points the way to therapies that are most likely to be effective, as well as those that are not.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by intense fatigue (worsened by physical or mental exertion), poor sleep, concentration and memory issues and physical pain.
The fact that not much is known about the cause of the condition along with the lack of a standardized, effective treatment protocol may lead some patients to think they're in it for the long haul.
For at least one in five sufferers, this may not be the case.
Researchers analyzed the recovery rates of 640 patients one year after being randomized into one of four treatment groups: · Standardized medical care (SMC) · SMC plus adaptive pacing therapy · SMC plus cognitive behavioral therapy · SMC plus graded exercise therapy In this study, standard medical care and the addition of adaptive pacing yielded comparable results; 7% and 8%, respectively, met criteria for recovery after one year.
The cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise groups, however, each yielded a 22% recovery rate.
Adaptive pacing therapy aims to train patients to adapt to their illnesses by pacing, prioritizing, planning and balancing rest and activity; the goal is to gradually increase patient tolerance of activity.
Graded exercise therapy is similar in its goal - increasing tolerable activity levels - but uses a structured exercise program that increases in intensity as time goes on.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talk therapy in which patients analyze their thoughts, fears, beliefs and attitudes about their conditions.
This can lead to more positive cognitive and, therefore, behavioral adaptations to pain as well as alleviating anxiety and depression, which correspond with higher levels of physical pain.
This study supports previous research into the superior usefulness of cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy in relieving symptoms and disability related to CFS over adaptive pacing or standard therapy.
However, it is novel in its outcome measure of complete recovery.
See more on the study at http://www.
sciencedaily.
com/releases/2013/01/130131120851.
htm.
These results should not be taken to mean that only one in five patients are likely to recover from CFS.
Rather, they should indicate that different therapies work for different people, and there may be other therapies this study didn't look into that work for some patients.
Also, some patients may benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, who don't recover with graded exercise.
There are viable and safe treatment options out there.
Patients may be able to get insurance coverage for these types of therapy with a doctor's referral, making them accessible to many.
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