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Duarte C, Spilker RLF, Paiva C, Ferreira RJO, da Silva JAP, Pinto AM. MITIG.RA: study protocol of a tailored psychological intervention for managing fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis randomized controlled trial. Trials 2023; 24:651. [PMID: 37803467 PMCID: PMC10559483 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07692-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite remarkable medical advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a subset of patients fails to achieve complete clinical remission, as the Patient Global Assessment (PGA) of disease activity remains above 1, even after the inflammatory process is brought under control. This so-called state of 'PGA-near-remission' negatively impacts individuals' functioning and potentiates inadequate care. Fatigue is a distressing and disabling symptom frequently reported by patients in PGA-near-remission, and its management remains challenging. While classic cognitive-behavioural interventions show some benefits in managing fatigue, there is potential for improvement. Recently, contextual-cognitive behavioural therapies (CCBT), like mindfulness, acceptance, and compassion-based interventions, have shown promising results in fatigue-associated disorders and their determinants. This study primarily aims to examine the efficacy of the Compassion and Mindfulness Intervention for RA (MITIG.RA), a novel intervention combining different components of CCBT, compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU) in the management of RA-associated fatigue. Secondary aims involve exploring whether MITIG.RA produces changes in the perceived impact of disease, satisfaction with disease status, levels of depression, and emotion-regulation skills. METHODS This is a single center, two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial. Patients will be screened for eligibility and willingness to participate and will be assessed and randomized to the experimental (MITIG.RA + TAU) or control condition (TAU) using computer randomization. MITIG.RA will be delivered by a certified psychologist and comprises eight sessions of 2 h, followed by two booster sessions. Outcomes will be assessed through validated self-report measures, including fatigue (primary outcome), perceived impact of disease, depressive symptoms, mindfulness, self-compassion, safety, and satisfaction (secondary outcomes). Assessment will take place at baseline, post-intervention, before the first and second booster sessions (weeks 12 and 20, respectively), and at 32 and 44 weeks after the interventions' beginning. DISCUSSION We expect MITIG.RA to be effective in reducing levels of RA-associated fatigue. Secondarily, we hypothesize that the experimental group will show improvements in the overall perceived impact of disease, emotional distress, and emotion regulation skills. Our findings will contribute to determine the benefits of combining CCBT approaches for managing fatigue and associated distress in RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05389189. Registered on May 25, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Duarte
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar E Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | | | - Cláudia Paiva
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar E Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo J O Ferreira
- Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Nursing School of Lisbon (ESEL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José A Pereira da Silva
- Rheumatology Department, Centro Hospitalar E Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana M Pinto
- Centre for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioural Intervention (CINEICC), Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Sharpe M, Chalder T, White PD. Evidence-Based Care for People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:449-452. [PMID: 34791590 PMCID: PMC8811058 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07188-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sometimes referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and often as CFS/ME, is an illness characterized by disabling fatigue and other symptoms, typically worsened by activity. The main evidence-based treatments are rehabilitative in nature and include specific types of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET). In this article, we briefly review the evidence for their safety and effectiveness and propose that much of the controversy about them arises from misunderstandings about their nature and delivery. In particular, we emphasize that successful rehabilitation from CFS/ME does not indicate that the illness is not real. We recommend that rehabilitative treatment always be preceded by a thorough clinical assessment and delivered by appropriately trained therapists working in close collaboration with the patient. We conclude that properly applied rehabilitative treatments offer the best hope of safely improving fatigue and function for patients with CFS/ME. However, we also recognize the need for more research into the treatment of this neglected condition, especially for those most severely disabled by it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sharpe
- Psychological Medicine Research, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16, De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Peter D White
- Wolfson Institute of Population Health, St Bartholomew's and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Kan J, Cheng J, Hu C, Chen L, Liu S, Venzon D, Murray M, Li S, Du J. A Botanical Product Containing Cistanche and Ginkgo Extracts Potentially Improves Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study. Front Nutr 2021; 8:658630. [PMID: 34901100 PMCID: PMC8662561 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.658630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary therapy may be beneficial in alleviating symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a disorder that is characterized by extreme fatigue and other symptoms, but the cause of which remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of a botanical product containing cistanche (Cistanche tubulosa [Schenk] Wight) and ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) extracts on adults with CFS in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 190 subjects (35-60 years old, non-obese) with CFS were randomized to receive one tablet of a low dose (120-mg ginkgo and 300-mg cistanche), a high dose (180-mg ginkgo and 450-mg cistanche) or a placebo once daily for 60 days. Blood samples and responses on the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ 11), the World Health Organization's quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL), and the sexual life quality questionnaire (SLQQ) were collected at baseline and post-intervention. CFS symptoms of impaired memory or concentration, physical fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise were significantly improved (p < 0.001) in both of the treatment groups. The botanical intervention significantly decreased physical and mental fatigue scores of CFQ 11 and improved WHOQOL and SLQQ scores of the subjects (p < 0.01). Levels of blood ammonia and lactic acid in the treatment groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group (low-dose: p < 0.05; high-dose: p < 0.01). In addition, the change in lactic acid concentration was negatively associated with the severity of CFS symptoms (p = 0.0108) and was correlated with the change in total physical fatigue score of the CFQ (p = 0.0302). Considering the trivial effect size, the results may lack clinical significance. In conclusion, this botanical product showed promising effects in ameliorating the symptoms of CFS. Clinical trials with improved assessment tools, an expanded sample size, and an extended follow-up period are warranted to further validate the findings. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier: NCT02807649.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juntao Kan
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Junrui Cheng
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai, China
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC, United States
| | - Chun Hu
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Buena Park, CA, United States
| | - Liang Chen
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Dawna Venzon
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Buena Park, CA, United States
| | - Mary Murray
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Buena Park, CA, United States
| | - Shuguang Li
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Du
- Nutrilite Health Institute, Shanghai, China
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Twomey R, Yeung ST, Wrightson JG, Millet GY, Culos-Reed SN. Post-exertional Malaise in People With Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue. J Pain Symptom Manage 2020; 60:407-416. [PMID: 32105793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing and persistent sense of tiredness or exhaustion that interferes with usual functioning. Chronic CRF continues for months after curative cancer treatment is complete. Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental activity, with limited investigations in people with chronic CRF. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to identify and describe self-reported incidences of PEM in people with chronic CRF. METHODS Participants (n = 18) were eligible if they scored ≤34 on the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale and had a cancer-related onset of fatigue. Participants completed a brief questionnaire to assess PEM during a six-month time frame (the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-PEM). In addition, a maximal exercise test was used to investigate self-reported symptom exacerbation (via an open-ended questionnaire) after strenuous physical exertion. RESULTS On the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire-PEM, three participants met previously defined scoring criteria, which included experiencing moderate to very severe symptoms at least half of the time, worsening of fatigue after minimal effort, plus a recovery duration of >24 hours. Content analysis of responses to open-ended questionnaires identified five people who experienced a delayed recovery and symptoms of PEM after maximal exercise. CONCLUSION A subset of people with chronic CRF (up to 33% in this sample) may experience PEM. Exercise specialists and health care professionals working with people with chronic CRF must be aware that PEM may be an issue. Symptom exacerbation after exercise should be monitored, and exercise should be tailored and adapted to limit the potential for harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie Twomey
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
| | - Samuel T Yeung
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - James G Wrightson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Guillaume Y Millet
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; UJM Saint-Etienne, Inter-university Laboratory of Human Movement Biology, University of Lyon, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - S Nicole Culos-Reed
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, Calgary, Canada; Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
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Davies AF, Hill P, Fay D, Dee A, Locher C. Body Reprogramming: Reframing the Fibromyalgia narrative and providing an integrative therapeutic model. Health Psychol Open 2020; 7:2055102920971494. [PMID: 35186312 PMCID: PMC8851147 DOI: 10.1177/2055102920971494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a theory known as the Hyland model to help conceptualise
Fibromyalgia within a complex adaptive control system. A fundamental
assumption is that symptom generating mechanisms are causally
connected, forming a network that has emergent properties. An illness
narrative has been developed which has a ‘goodness of fit’ with the
lived experience of those with Fibromyalgia. The theory guides
management within the clinical setting and incorporates current
evidence-based therapeutic strategies, within a multi-modal
intervention described as ‘Body Reprogramming’. This intervention
focuses on non-pharmacological and lifestyle-based considerations. The
theoretical framework also helps explain why modest therapeutic
effects are gained from current pharmacological options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick Hill
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
| | | | - Annily Dee
- University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, UK
| | - Cosima Locher
- Harvard Medical School, USA.,University of Plymouth, UK.,University of Basel, Switzerland
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Wilshire CE, Kindlon T. Response: Sharpe, Goldsmith and Chalder fail to restore confidence in the PACE trial findings. BMC Psychol 2019; 7:19. [PMID: 30914065 PMCID: PMC6434781 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-019-0296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In a recent paper, we argued that the conclusions of the PACE trial of chronic fatigue syndrome are problematic because the pre-registered protocol was not adhered to. We showed that when the originally specific outcomes and analyses are used, the evidence for the effectiveness of CBT and graded exercise therapy is weak. In a companion paper to this article, Sharpe, Goldsmith and Chalder dismiss the concerns we raised and maintain that the original conclusions are robust. In this rejoinder, we clarify one misconception in their commentary, and address seven additional arguments they raise in defence of their conclusions. We conclude that none of these arguments is sufficient to justify digressing from the pre-registered trial protocol. Specifically, the PACE authors view the trial protocol as a preliminary plan, subject to honing and improvement as time progresses, whereas we view it as a contract that should not be broken except in extremely unusual circumstances. While the arguments presented by Sharpe and colleagues inspire some interesting reflections on the scientific process, they fail to restore confidence in the PACE trial’s conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn E Wilshire
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Tom Kindlon
- Irish ME/CFS Association, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
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