1
|
Kuut TA, Buffart LM, Braamse AMJ, Müller F, Knoop H. Is the effect of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) moderated by the presence of comorbid depressive symptoms? A meta-analysis of three treatment delivery formats. J Psychosom Res 2024; 184:111850. [PMID: 38970879 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) leads to a significant reduction of fatigue and disability and is available in different treatment delivery formats, i.e. internet-based, individual face-to-face and group face-to-face. The aim of this study was to investigate whether moderation of the effects of CBT by clinically relevant depressive symptoms varies between CBT delivery formats. METHODS Data from six randomised controlled trials (n = 1084 patients) were pooled. Moderation of clinically relevant depressive symptoms (Brief Depression Inventory for Primary Care) in different treatment formats on fatigue severity (Checklist Individual Strength, subscale fatigue severity), functional impairment (Sickness Impact Profile-8) and physical functioning (Short Form-36, subscale physical functioning) was investigated using linear mixed model analyses and interaction tests. Differences in percentages of patients no longer severely fatigued post-CBT were studied by calculating relative risks. RESULTS The moderator effect of depressive symptoms on fatigue severity varied by delivery format. In internet-based CBT, ME/CFS patients with depressive symptoms showed less reduction in fatigue, and were more often still severely fatigued post-treatment than patients without depressive symptoms. In individual and group face-to-face CBT, no significant difference in treatment effect on fatigue severity was found between patients with and without depressive symptoms. No moderation was found for the other outcomes. CONCLUSION In internet-based CBT, ME/CFS patients with comorbid depressive symptoms benefit less, making face-to-face CBT currently the first-choice delivery format for these patients. Internet-based CBT should be further developed to improve its effectiveness for ME/CFS patients with depressive symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T A Kuut
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - L M Buffart
- Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Medical BioSciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - A M J Braamse
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - F Müller
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - H Knoop
- Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
van der Schaaf ME, Geerligs L, Toni I, Knoop H, Oosterman JM. Disentangling pain and fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome: a resting state connectivity study before and after cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychol Med 2024; 54:1735-1748. [PMID: 38193344 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723003690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fatigue is a central feature of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), but many ME/CFS patients also report comorbid pain symptoms. It remains unclear whether these symptoms are related to similar or dissociable brain networks. This study used resting-state fMRI to disentangle networks associated with fatigue and pain symptoms in ME/CFS patients, and to link changes in those networks to clinical improvements following cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). METHODS Relationships between pain and fatigue symptoms and cortico-cortical connectivity were assessed within ME/CFS patients at baseline (N = 72) and after CBT (N = 33) and waiting list (WL, N = 18) and compared to healthy controls (HC, N = 29). The analyses focused on four networks previously associated with pain and/or fatigue, i.e. the fronto-parietal network (FPN), premotor network (PMN), somatomotor network (SMN), and default mode network (DMN). RESULTS At baseline, variation in pain and fatigue symptoms related to partially dissociable brain networks. Fatigue was associated with higher SMN-PMN connectivity and lower SMN-DMN connectivity. Pain was associated with lower PMN-DMN connectivity. CBT improved SMN-DMN connectivity, compared to WL. Larger clinical improvements were associated with larger increases in frontal SMN-DMN connectivity. No CBT effects were observed for PMN-DMN or SMN-PMN connectivity. CONCLUSIONS These results provide insight into the dissociable neural mechanisms underlying fatigue and pain symptoms in ME/CFS and how they are affected by CBT in successfully treated patients. Further investigation of how and in whom behavioral and biomedical treatments affect these networks is warranted to improve and individualize existing or new treatments for ME/CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke E van der Schaaf
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of cognitive neuropsychology Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Linda Geerligs
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joukje M Oosterman
- Radboud University, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kuut TA, Buffart LM, Braamse AMJ, Csorba I, Bleijenberg G, Nieuwkerk P, Moss-Morris R, Müller F, Knoop H. Does the effect of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) vary by patient characteristics? A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis. Psychol Med 2024; 54:447-456. [PMID: 37927223 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723003148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Debate is ongoing on the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). With an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis we investigated whether the effect of CBT varied by patient characteristics. These included post-exertional malaise (PEM), a central feature of ME/CFS according to many. We searched for randomized controlled trials similar with respect to comparison condition, outcomes and treatment-protocol. Moderation on fatigue severity (Checklist Individual Strength, subscale fatigue severity), functional impairment (Sickness Impact Profile-8) and physical functioning (Short Form-36, subscale physical functioning) was investigated using linear mixed model analyses and interaction tests. PROSPERO (CRD42022358245). Data from eight trials (n = 1298 patients) were pooled. CBT showed beneficial effects on fatigue severity (β = -11.46, 95% CI -15.13 to -7.79); p < 0.001, functional impairment (β = -448.40, 95% CI -625.58 to -271.23); p < 0.001; and physical functioning (β = 9.64, 95% CI 3.30 to 15.98); p < 0.001. The effect of CBT on fatigue severity varied by age (pinteraction = 0.003), functional impairment (pinteraction = 0.045) and physical activity pattern (pinteraction = 0.027). Patients who were younger, reported less functional impairments and had a fluctuating activity pattern benefitted more. The effect on physical functioning varied by self-efficacy (pinteraction = 0.025), with patients with higher self-efficacy benefitting most. No other moderators were found. It can be concluded from this study that CBT for ME/CFS can lead to significant reductions of fatigue, functional impairment, and physical limitations. There is no indication patients meeting different case definitions or reporting additional symptoms benefit less from CBT. Our findings do not support recent guidelines in which evidence from studies not mandating PEM was downgraded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T A Kuut
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L M Buffart
- Department of Physiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A M J Braamse
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - I Csorba
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G Bleijenberg
- Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - P Nieuwkerk
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R Moss-Morris
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - F Müller
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - H Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Li X, Julin P, Li TQ. Limbic Perfusion Is Reduced in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Tomography 2021; 7:675-687. [PMID: 34842817 PMCID: PMC8628916 DOI: 10.3390/tomography7040056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is an illness characterized by a diverse range of debilitating symptoms including autonomic, immunologic, and cognitive dysfunction. Although neurological and cognitive aberrations have been consistently reported, relatively little is known regarding the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in ME/CFS. In this study, we studied a cohort of 31 ME/CSF patients (average age: 42.8 ± 13.5 years) and 48 healthy controls (average age: 42.9 ± 12.0 years) using the pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (PCASL) technique on a whole-body clinical 3T MRI scanner. Besides routine clinical MRI, the protocol included a session of over 8 min-long rCBF measurement. The differences in the rCBF between the ME/CSF patients and healthy controls were statistically assessed with voxel-wise and AAL ROI-based two-sample t-tests. Linear regression analysis was also performed on the rCBF data by using the symptom severity score as the main regressor. In comparison with the healthy controls, the patient group showed significant hypoperfusion (uncorrected voxel wise p ≤ 0.001, FWE p ≤ 0.01) in several brain regions of the limbic system, including the anterior cingulate cortex, putamen, pallidum, and anterior ventral insular area. For the ME/CFS patients, the overall symptom severity score at rest was significantly associated with a reduced rCBF in the anterior cingulate cortex. The results of this study show that brain blood flow abnormalities in the limbic system may contribute to ME/CFS pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- Institute of Information Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China;
| | - Per Julin
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, S-17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Tie-Qiang Li
- Institute of Information Engineering, China Jiliang University, 258 Xueyuan Street, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China;
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, S-17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Radiation and Nuclear Medicine, C2-76, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, S-14186 Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lin W, Chen XL, Chen Q, Wen J, Chen X. Jin's three-needle acupuncture technique for chronic fatigue syndrome: a study protocol for a multicentre, randomized, controlled trial. Trials 2019; 20:155. [PMID: 30832713 PMCID: PMC6399952 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3243-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With an unclear pathomechanism, no confirmed treatment regimen has been established for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Acupuncture is applied as an alternative therapy for CFS. As a kind of acupuncture therapy, Jin’s three-needle acupuncture (JTN) has been applied to treat CFS. However, few large-sample randomised controlled trials on JTN treatment for CFS have been reported. We designed this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JTN treatment for CFS. Method/design This study is a multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the JTN treatment group or the basic acupuncture group. Both interventions will be conducted for five consecutive days per week and last for 2 weeks. The primary outcome is the effective rate based on the 14-item Fatigue Scale (FS-14) score. Other outcome measures include the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAI), the Depression Status Inventory (DSI), and the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), plasma cortisol, and serum levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ will also be measured in this study. Adverse events will be observed and recorded for the safety evaluation. Discussion This study may help to identify the efficacy and safety of JTN acupuncture treatment for CFS. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR-IOR-17011009. Registered on 29 March 2017. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3243-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Lin
- Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Xin-Lin Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Junmao Wen
- Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China
| | - Xinghua Chen
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Roerink ME, Roerink SHPP, Skoluda N, van der Schaaf ME, Hermus ARMM, van der Meer JWM, Knoop H, Nater UM. Hair and salivary cortisol in a cohort of women with chronic fatigue syndrome. Horm Behav 2018; 103:1-6. [PMID: 29807037 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hypocortisolism has been found in CFS patients in blood, urine, and saliva. It is unclear if hypocortisolism can also be demonstrated using long-term cortisol measurements, such as cortisol in hair. In addition, the interaction between the HPA axis and the immune system, both expected to play an important role in CFS, is unclear. The objective of the current study was to compare hair and salivary cortisol concentrations in a cohort of female CFS patients to those in healthy controls, and to test the effect of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) on the HPA axis. Salivary cortisol concentrations of 107 CFS patients were compared to 59 healthy controls, with CFS patients showing a decreased cortisol awakening response (4.2 nmol/L ± 5.4 vs 6.1 nmol/L ± 6.3, p = 0.036). Total cortisol output during the day did not differ significantly in saliva, but there was a trend to lower hair cortisol in a subset of 46 patients compared to 46 controls (3.8 pg/mg ± 2.1 vs 4.3 pg/mg ± 1.8, p = 0.062). After four weeks of treatment with either daily anakinra (100 mg/day) or placebo, there was a slight decrease of hair cortisol concentrations in the anakinra group compared to an increase in the placebo group (p = 0.022). This study confirms the altered dynamics of the HPA axis in a group of CFS patients, and for the first time shows that this might also be present for long-term cortisol measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Roerink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Sean H P P Roerink
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Nadine Skoluda
- Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marieke E van der Schaaf
- The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ad R M M Hermus
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jos W M van der Meer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Urs M Nater
- Department of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Goñi M, Basu N, Murray AD, Waiter GD. Neural Indicators of Fatigue in Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review of MRI Studies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2018; 8:diagnostics8030042. [PMID: 29933643 PMCID: PMC6163988 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics8030042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
While fatigue is prevalent in chronic diseases, the neural mechanisms underlying this symptom remain unknown. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to enable us to characterize this symptom. The aim of this review was to gather and appraise the current literature on MRI studies of fatigue in chronic diseases. We systematically searched the following databases: MedLine, PsycInfo, Embase and Scopus (inception to April 2016). We selected studies according to a predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We assessed the quality of the studies and conducted descriptive statistical analyses. We identified 26 studies of varying design and quality. Structural and functional MRI, alongside diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional connectivity (FC) studies, identified significant brain indicators of fatigue. The most common regions were the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, limbic system and basal ganglia. Longitudinal studies offered more precise and reliable analysis. Brain structures found to be related to fatigue were highly heterogeneous, not only between diseases, but also for different studies of the same disease. Given the different designs, methodologies and variable results, we conclude that there are currently no well-defined brain indicators of fatigue in chronic diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María Goñi
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre (ABIC), Lilian Sutton Building, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK.
| | - Neil Basu
- Health Science Building, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK.
| | - Alison D Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre (ABIC), Lilian Sutton Building, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK.
| | - Gordon D Waiter
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre (ABIC), Lilian Sutton Building, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
van der Schaaf ME, Roelofs K, de Lange FP, Geurts DEM, van der Meer JWM, Knoop H, Toni I. Fatigue Is Associated With Altered Monitoring and Preparation of Physical Effort in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY: COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2018; 3:392-404. [PMID: 29628071 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2018.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by disabling fatigue, which is suggested to be maintained by dysfunctional beliefs. Fatigue and its maintenance are recently conceptualized as arising from abnormally precise expectations about bodily inputs and from beliefs of diminished control over bodily states, respectively. This study used functional neuroimaging to identify the neural correlates of fatigue and its maintenance by beliefs during a physical effort task. METHODS We isolated behavioral adjustments and cerebral activity during feedback processing and motor preparation, in the context of a task in which patients with CFS (n = 85) and healthy control subjects (n = 29) produced 30%, 50%, and 70% of their right-hand maximal voluntary contraction, and received directional feedback on performance (e.g., too little force). RESULTS Patients with CSF showed an effort-dependent behavioral bias toward less effort investment in response to directional feedback for the highest effort level as compared with healthy control subjects. This bias was associated with reduced feedback-related activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. These effects were proportional to state-related fatigue and prior beliefs about CFS patients' ability to perform the task. Patients with CFS also showed higher activity in the supplementary motor area, proportional to their state-related fatigue, and reduced connectivity between the supplementary motor area and sensorimotor cortex during motor preparation as compared with control subjects. CONCLUSIONS These findings link fatigue symptoms to alterations in behavioral choices on effort investment, prefrontal functioning, and supplementary motor area connectivity, with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex being associated with prior beliefs about physical abilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke E van der Schaaf
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Floris P de Lange
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk E M Geurts
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jos W M van der Meer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Knoop
- Department of Medical Psychology and Expert Center for Chronic Fatigue, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ivan Toni
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Janse A, Worm-Smeitink M, Bleijenberg G, Donders R, Knoop H. Efficacy of web-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry 2018; 212:112-118. [PMID: 29436329 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.2017.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Face-to-face cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) leads to a reduction of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Aims To test the efficacy of internet-based CBT (iCBT) for adults with CFS. METHOD A total of 240 patients with CFS were randomised to either iCBT with protocol-driven therapist feedback or with therapist feedback on demand, or a waiting list. Primary outcome was fatigue severity assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength (Netherlands Trial Register: NTR4013). RESULTS Compared with a waiting list, intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed a significant reduction of fatigue for both iCBT conditions (protocol-driven feedback: B = -8.3, 97.5% CI -12.7 to -3.9, P < 0.0001; feedback on demand: B = -7.2, 97.5% CI -11.3 to -3.1, P < 0.0001). No significant differences were found between both iCBT conditions on all outcome measures (P = 0.3-0.9). An exploratory analysis revealed that feedback-on-demand iCBT required less therapist time (mean 4 h 37 min) than iCBT with protocol-driven feedback (mean 6 h 9 min, P < 0.001) and also less than face-to-face CBT as reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS Both iCBT conditions are efficacious and time efficient. Declaration of interest None.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Janse
- Academic Medical Center (AMC),University of Amsterdam,Department of Medical Psychology,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute,Amsterdam,the Netherlands
| | - M Worm-Smeitink
- Academic Medical Center (AMC),University of Amsterdam,Department of Medical Psychology,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute,Amsterdam,the Netherlands
| | - G Bleijenberg
- Radboud University Medical Center,Nijmegen,the Netherlands
| | - R Donders
- Department for Health Evidence,Radboud University Medical Centre,Nijmegen,the Netherlands
| | - H Knoop
- Academic Medical Center (AMC),University of Amsterdam,Department of Medical Psychology,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute,Amsterdam,the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
van der Schaaf ME, De Lange FP, Schmits IC, Geurts DEM, Roelofs K, van der Meer JWM, Toni I, Knoop H. Prefrontal Structure Varies as a Function of Pain Symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:358-365. [PMID: 27817843 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by severe fatigue persisting for ≥6 months and leading to considerable impairment in daily functioning. Neuroimaging studies of patients with CFS have revealed alterations in prefrontal brain morphology. However, it remains to be determined whether these alterations are specific for fatigue or whether they relate to other common CFS symptoms (e.g., chronic pain, lower psychomotor speed, and reduced physical activity). METHODS We used magnetic resonance imaging to quantify gray matter volume (GMV) and the N-acetylaspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate/creatine ratio (NAA/Cr) in a group of 89 women with CFS. Building on previous reports, we tested whether GMV and NAA/Cr in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex are associated with fatigue severity, pain, psychomotor speed, and physical activity, while controlling for depressive symptoms. We also considered GMV and NAA/Cr differences between patients with CFS and 26 sex-, age-, and education-matched healthy controls. RESULTS The presence of pain symptoms was the main predictor of both GMV and NAA/Cr in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of patients with CFS. More pain was associated with reduced GMVs and NAA/Cr, over and above the effects of fatigue, depressive symptoms, physical activity, and psychomotor speed. In contrast to previous reports and despite a large representative sample, global GMV did not differ between the CFS and healthy control groups. CONCLUSIONS CFS, as diagnosed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, is not a clinical entity reliably associated with reduced GMV. Individual variation in the presence of pain, rather than fatigue, is associated with neuronal alterations in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of patients with CFS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marieke E van der Schaaf
- Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Nijmegen; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen.
| | - Floris P De Lange
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen
| | | | - Dirk E M Geurts
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Centre for Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen; Adult Personality Disorder Service, South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Ivan Toni
- Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Nijmegen
| | - Hans Knoop
- Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Nijmegen; Department of Medical Psychology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|