Long-term follow-up of multi-disciplinary outpatient treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy

Houlton, Amalia; Christie, Marilyn M.; Smith, Bozena; Gardiner, Eric

Abstract

Aims: The current study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary approach to chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy (CFS/ME) in a UK outpatient service. Methods: A longitudinal questionnaire survey was posted to 300 patients, incorporating measures of fatigue, physical functioning, mental health, and pain. Outcome measures administered at baseline (prior to service use) were compared to assessments at discharge, and at follow-up (average 34 months post-intervention). Results: Linear mixed modelling showed that fatigue, physical functioning, and depression significantly improved, although the improvement was reduced for fatigue, physical functioning, and pain at follow-up. Gainful employment had a significant positive association with most measures. Conclusions: The targeted multi-disciplinary service appeared to be at least somewhat effective long-term, and highly acceptable to patients. Patients appeared to benefit from individual and group approaches that combined cognitive behavioural therapy, graded exercise therapy, and pacing.

Citation

Houlton, A., Christie, M. M., Smith, B., & Gardiner, E. (2015). Long-term follow-up of multi-disciplinary outpatient treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy. Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health and Behavior, 3(1), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1080/21641846.2014.993873

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 18, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Jan 7, 2015
• Publication Date: Jan 2, 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 9, 2019
• Journal: Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health and Behavior
• Print ISSN: 2164-1846
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 47-58
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/21641846.2014.993873
• Keywords: Chronic fatigue syndrome; Multi-disciplinary approach; Long-term effectiveness; Employment
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1566730
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21641846.2014.993873
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=rftg20