CBT, Graded Exercise Therapy Help Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
FROM THE LANCET
"Until now, we have known that only CBT and GET work for some people. We didn’t know if pacing worked," Dr. Hamilton said. "This caused a real dilemma – especially for those in primary care. We didn’t know whether to recommend pacing or to refer for CBT or GET. This study should solve that."
His words were echoed by Dr. Derick Wade, a consultant in neurological rehabilitation and clinical director at the Oxford Center for Enablement. "The trial design in this study was very good, and it means that the conclusions drawn can be drawn with confidence," Dr. Wade said.
While the study’s findings confirm the safety and effectiveness of CBT and GET, Dr. Wade noted, the findings on the use of APT show that "one commonly used intervention is not effective and therefore should not be used."
Dr. Fergus Macbeth, director of the Centre for Clinical Practice at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, London, said, "We welcome the findings of the PACE trial, which further support cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy as safe and effective treatment options for people who have mild/moderate chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis. These findings are in line with our current recommendations on the management of this condition.
"We will now analyze the results of this important trial in more detail before making a final decision on whether there is a clinical need to update our guideline," Dr. Macbeth said.
