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Fernandes H. Therapeutic Alliance in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Child and Adolescent Mental Health-Current Trends and Future Challenges. Front Psychol 2022; 12:610874. [PMID: 35046861 PMCID: PMC8763013 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.610874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This extended literature review proposes to present the trends in the therapeutic alliance, outcomes, and measures in the last decade within the premises of individual cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and its innovations, used as an interventional measure in the context of child and adolescent mental health setting. A brief background of the rationale for conducting this literature search is presented at the start. This is followed by the methodology and design which incorporates the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the basis for the same. The critical appraisal of the primary studies is presented in the literature review section with a brief description of the summary features of the studies in the study tables followed by the results and discussion of the study findings. To summarise, the literature review of primary studies conducted in the last decade demonstrates the need for further research to be conducted both in the field of CBT in children and therapeutic alliance, competence, and therapy outcomes, integrating perspectives in child development, carer alliance, and the social construct theory in children, to allow for further innovations in CBT in the context of increasing challenges in the current times of exponentially developing technology and its utility without compromising the quality of therapy. In conclusion, recommendations are made as a guideline for future studies and research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel Fernandes
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
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Vink M, Vink-Niese F. Graded exercise therapy does not restore the ability to work in ME/CFS - Rethinking of a Cochrane review. Work 2021; 66:283-308. [PMID: 32568149 DOI: 10.3233/wor-203174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cochrane recently amended its exercise review for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in response to an official complaint. OBJECTIVE To determine if the amended review has addressed the concerns raised about the previous review and if exercise is an effective treatment that restores the ability to work in ME/CFS. METHOD The authors reviewed the amended Cochrane exercise review and the eight trials in it by paying particular interest to the objective outcomes. We also summarised the recently published review of work rehabilitation and medical retirement for ME/CFS. RESULTS The Cochrane review concluded that graded exercise therapy (GET) improves fatigue at the end of treatment compared to no-treatment. However, the review did not consider the unreliability of subjective outcomes in non-blinded trials, the objective outcomes which showed that GET is not effective, or the serious flaws of the studies included in the review. These flaws included badly matched control groups, relying on an unreliable fatigue instrument as primary outcome, outcome switching, p-hacking, ignoring evidence of harms, etc. The review did also not take into account that GET does not restore the ability to work. CONCLUSION GET not only fails to objectively improve function significantly or to restore the ability to work, but it is also detrimental to the health of≥50% of patients, according to a multitude of patient surveys. Consequently, it should not be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Vink
- Family and Insurance Physician, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Pfeiffer E, Ormhaug SM, Tutus D, Holt T, Rosner R, Wentzel Larsen T, Jensen TK. Does the therapist matter? Therapist characteristics and their relation to outcome in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2020; 11:1776048. [PMID: 33029318 PMCID: PMC7473296 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1776048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a broad evidence-base for the effectiveness of Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) in treating children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The effect of therapist characteristics on patient symptoms has been neglected in psychotraumatology research and necessitates further investigation. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the impact of therapist characteristics (gender, clinical experience and theoretical background) on posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in a heterogeneous and international sample of traumatized children and adolescents. METHOD Data from two RCTs on the effectiveness of TF-CBT in Norway and Germany were included, comprising N = 52 therapists (78.8% female) and N = 153 patients (72.3% female). All therapists underwent thorough training and continuous supervision in TF-CBT. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA) assessed pre- and post-treatment served as the outcome variable in a linear mixed-effects model with therapists' theoretical background, prior clinical experience and gender as independent variables, adjusted for patient gender, measurement time and country. The possibility of an interaction between therapist and patient gender was investigated subsequently. RESULTS None of the therapist characteristics were significantly related to PTSS. There was no indication of an interaction between patient and therapist gender (p =.878). CONCLUSION The lack of evidence for a relationship of therapists' theoretical orientation and clinical experience with outcome suggests that a wider dissemination of TF-CBT may be warranted. More studies with larger therapist and patient sample sizes and including only community practice are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Pfeiffer
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Silje Mørup Ormhaug
- Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS), Oslo, Norway
| | - Dunja Tutus
- Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University Hospital Ulm, University Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tonje Holt
- Division of Mental & Physical Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rita Rosner
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Tore Wentzel Larsen
- Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS), Oslo, Norway.,Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tine K Jensen
- Norwegian Center for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies (NKVTS), Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Do therapist effects determine outcome in patients with shoulder pain in a primary care physiotherapy setting? Physiotherapy 2020; 107:111-117. [PMID: 32026811 DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2019.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore whether a therapist effect exists in physiotherapists treating patients with shoulder pain and to identify if personality traits of the physiotherapist influences patients outcome. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING Primary care physiotherapy practices. PARTICIPANTS Data on patients with shoulder complaints that started and finished treatment between 2009 and 2012 were derived from the NIVEL Primary Care Database. Personality traits of the physiotherapist were identified using the Big Five Inventory. Data of 2814 patients and 56 physiotherapists were analysed using multi level linear regression. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Severity of complaint was measured on a 10-point Likert scale at the start and end of treatment. Change score is used as outcome. RESULTS A therapist effect exists in the rehabilitation of patients with shoulder complaints in a physiotherapy setting; the physiotherapist explained 12% of variance and the personality trait extraversion showed a significant association (P=0.03) with change in treatment outcome. CONCLUSION Current explorative study suggests that patients who were treated by therapists that tend to be more outgoing and energetic achieved better treatment results. Additional studies are needed to unravel the interplay between personality traits and other variables of importance, like patients' personality traits or psychological factors, in treating patients with shoulder complaints.
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5
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Kim DY, Lee JS, Park SY, Kim SJ, Son CG. Systematic review of randomized controlled trials for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). J Transl Med 2020; 18:7. [PMID: 31906979 PMCID: PMC6943902 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-02196-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although medical requirements are urgent, no effective intervention has been proven for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). To facilitate the development of new therapeutics, we systematically reviewed the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for CFS/ME to date. METHODS RCTs targeting CFS/ME were surveyed using two electronic databases, PubMed and the Cochrane library, through April 2019. We included only RCTs that targeted fatigue-related symptoms, and we analyzed the data in terms of the characteristics of the participants, case definitions, primary measurements, and interventions with overall outcomes. RESULTS Among 513 potentially relevant articles, 55 RCTs met our inclusion criteria; these included 25 RCTs of 22 different pharmacological interventions, 28 RCTs of 18 non-pharmacological interventions and 2 RCTs of combined interventions. These studies accounted for a total of 6316 participants (1568 males and 4748 females, 5859 adults and 457 adolescents). CDC 1994 (Fukuda) criteria were mostly used for case definitions (42 RCTs, 76.4%), and the primary measurement tools included the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS, 36.4%) and the 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36, 30.9%). Eight interventions showed statistical significance: 3 pharmacological (Staphypan Berna, Poly(I):poly(C12U) and CoQ10 + NADH) and 5 non-pharmacological therapies (cognitive-behavior-therapy-related treatments, graded-exercise-related therapies, rehabilitation, acupuncture and abdominal tuina). However, there was no definitely effective intervention with coherence and reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review integrates the comprehensive features of previous RCTs for CFS/ME and reflects on their limitations and perspectives in the process of developing new interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Young Kim
- Korean Medical College of Daejeon University, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Seok Lee
- Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bioscience, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 75, Daedeok-daero 176, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Samuel-Young Park
- Korean Medical College of Daejeon University, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Jin Kim
- Korean Medical College of Daejeon University, 62, Daehak-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Gue Son
- Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bioscience, Dunsan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, 75, Daedeok-daero 176, Seo-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Predictors of Homework Engagement in CBT Adapted for Traumatic Brain Injury: Pre/post-Injury and Therapy Process Factors. COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10608-019-10036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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7
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Mulders AEP, Moonen AJH, Dujardin K, Kuijf ML, Duits A, Flinois B, Handels RLH, Lopes R, Leentjens AFG. Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders in Parkinson's disease: Design of a randomised controlled trial to assess clinical effectiveness and changes in cerebral connectivity. J Psychosom Res 2018; 112:32-39. [PMID: 30097133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders occur in up to 35% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and have a negative effect on motor symptoms and quality of life. To date, no clinical trials specifically targeting anxiety in PD patients have been published. OBJECTIVE To describe the rationale and methodology of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to study the clinical effectiveness, alterations in brain circuitry, and cost-effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for anxiety in PD. METHODS This study is a prospective, two-centre RCT in which sixty PD patients with anxiety will be randomised to CBT treatment and clinical monitoring (intervention group) or to clinical monitoring only (control group). The CBT module used in this study was specifically developed to address symptoms of anxiety in PD patients. Participants will undergo standardised clinical, cognitive and behavioural assessment at baseline and at 2 follow-up measurements, as well as resting-state fMRI and DTI scanning before and after the intervention. The primary outcome measure is changes in severity of anxiety symptoms. Secondary outcome measures involve long-term changes in anxiety symptoms, changes in functional and structural connectivity between limbic and frontal cortices, and cost-effectiveness of the treatment. The study is registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov database under registration number NCT02648737. CONCLUSION This study is the first that evaluates both the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, as well as the biological impact of CBT for anxiety in PD patients that, if proven effective, will hopefully contribute to a better and evidence-based approach for these non-motor symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E P Mulders
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A J H Moonen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - K Dujardin
- Degenerative & Vascular Cognitive Disorders, University of Lille, Lille, France; Neurology and Movement Disorders Department, CHU, Lille, France
| | - M L Kuijf
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - A Duits
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - B Flinois
- Neurology and Movement Disorders Department, CHU, Lille, France
| | - R L H Handels
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - R Lopes
- Degenerative & Vascular Cognitive Disorders, University of Lille, Lille, France; Neuroimaging Department, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - A F G Leentjens
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Johns RG, Barkham M, Kellett S, Saxon D. A systematic review of therapist effects: A critical narrative update and refinement to review. Clin Psychol Rev 2018; 67:78-93. [PMID: 30442478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the therapist effects literature since Baldwin and Imel's (2013) review. METHOD Systematic literature review of three databases (PsycINFO, PubMed and Web of Science) replicating Baldwin and Imel (2013) search terms. Weighted averages of therapist effects (TEs) were calculated, and a critical narrative review of included studies conducted. RESULTS Twenty studies met inclusion criteria (3 RCTs; 17 practice-based) with 19 studies using multilevel modeling. TEs were found in 19 studies. The TE range for all studies was 0.2% to 29% (weighted average = 5%). For RCTs, 1%-29% (weighted average = 8.2%). For practice-based studies, 0.2-21% (weighted average = 5%). The university counseling subsample yielded a lower TE (2.4%) than in other groupings (i.e., primary care, mixed clinical settings, and specialist/focused settings). Therapist sample sizes remained lower than recommended, and few studies appeared to be designed specifically as TE studies, with too few examples of maximising the research potential of large routine patient datasets. CONCLUSIONS Therapist effects are a robust phenomenon although considerable heterogeneity exists across studies. Patient severity appeared related to TE size. TEs from RCTs were highly variable. Using an overall therapist effects statistic may lack precision, and TEs might be better reported separately for specific clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Johns
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Michael Barkham
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
| | - Stephen Kellett
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - David Saxon
- Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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Piccoli GB, Sofronie AC, Coindre JP. The strange case of Mr. H. Starting dialysis at 90 years of age: clinical choices impact on ethical decisions. BMC Med Ethics 2017; 18:61. [PMID: 29121886 PMCID: PMC5680775 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-017-0219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Starting dialysis at an advanced age is a clinical challenge and an ethical dilemma. The advantages of starting dialysis at “extreme” ages are questionable as high dialysis-related morbidity induces a reflection on the cost- benefit ratio of this demanding and expensive treatment in a person that has a short life expectancy. Where clinical advantages are doubtful, ethical analysis can help us reach decisions and find adapted solutions. Case presentation Mr. H is a ninety-year-old patient with end-stage kidney disease that is no longer manageable with conservative care, in spite of optimal nutritional management, good blood pressure control and strict clinical and metabolic evaluations; dialysis is the next step, but its morbidity is challenging. The case is analysed according to principlism (beneficence, non-maleficence, justice and respect for autonomy). In the setting of care, dialysis is available without restriction; therefore the principle of justice only partially applied, in the absence of restraints on health-care expenditure. The final decision on whether or not to start dialysis rested with Mr. H (respect for autonomy). However, his choice depended on the balance between beneficence and non-maleficence. The advantages of dialysis in restoring metabolic equilibrium were clear, and the expected negative effects of dialysis were therefore decisive. Mr. H has a contraindication to peritoneal dialysis (severe arthritis impairing self-performance) and felt performing it with nursing help would be intrusive. Post dialysis fatigue, poor tolerance, hypotension and intrusiveness in daily life of haemodialysis patients are closely linked to the classic thrice-weekly, four-hour schedule. A personalized incremental dialysis approach, starting with one session per week, adapting the timing to the patient’s daily life, can limit side effects and “dialysis shock”. Conclusions An individualized approach to complex decisions such as dialysis start can alter the delicate benefit/side-effect balance, ultimately affecting the patient’s choice, and points to a narrative, tailor-made approach as an alternative to therapeutic nihilism, in very old and fragile patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgina Barbara Piccoli
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. .,Nephrology, Centre Hospitalier Le Mans, Avenue Roubillard, 72000, Le Mans, France.
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Babatunde F, MacDermid J, MacIntyre N. Characteristics of therapeutic alliance in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and occupational therapy practice: a scoping review of the literature. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:375. [PMID: 28558746 PMCID: PMC5450083 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2311-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most conventional treatment for musculoskeletal conditions continue to show moderate effects, prompting calls for ways to increase effectiveness, including drawing from strategies used across other health conditions. Therapeutic alliance refers to the relational processes at play in treatment which can act in combination or independently of specific interventions. Current evidence guiding the use of therapeutic alliance in health care arises largely from psychotherapy and medicine literature. The objective of this review was to map out the available literature on therapeutic alliance conceptual frameworks, themes, measures and determinants in musculoskeletal rehabilitation across physiotherapy and occupational therapy disciplines. Methods A scoping review of the literature published in English since inception to July 2015 was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, PEDro, SportDISCUS, AMED, OTSeeker, AMED and the grey literature. A key search term strategy was employed using “physiotherapy”, “occupational therapy”, “therapeutic alliance”, and “musculoskeletal” to identify relevant studies. All searches were performed between December 2014 and July 2015 with an updated search on January 2017. Two investigators screened article title, abstract and full text review for articles meeting the inclusion criteria and extracted therapeutic alliance data and details of each study. Results One hundred and thirty articles met the inclusion criteria including quantitative (33%), qualitative (39%), mixed methods (7%) and reviews and discussions (23%) and most data came from the USA (23%). Randomized trials and systematic reviews were 4.6 and 2.3% respectively. Low back pain condition (22%) and primary care (30.7%) were the most reported condition and setting respectively. One theory, 9 frameworks, 26 models, 8 themes and 42 subthemes of therapeutic alliance were identified. Twenty-six measures were identified; the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) was the most utilized measure (13%). Most of the therapeutic alliance themes extracted were from patient perspectives. The relationship between adherence and therapeutic alliance was examined by 26 articles of which 57% showed some correlation between therapeutic alliance and adherence. Age moderated the relationship between therapeutic alliance and adherence with younger individuals and an autonomy support environment reporting improved adherence. Prioritized goals, autonomy support and motivation were facilitators of therapeutic alliance. Conclusion Therapeutic Alliance has been studied in a limited extent in the rehabilitation literature with conflicting frameworks and findings. Potential benefits described for enhancing therapeutic alliance might include better exercise adherence. Several knowledge gaps have been identified with a potential for generating future research priorities for therapeutic alliance in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2311-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Folarin Babatunde
- School of rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1C7, Canada.
| | - Joy MacDermid
- School of rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1C7, Canada.,Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St Joseph Hospital, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Physical Therapy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Norma MacIntyre
- School of rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 1C7, Canada
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Castro-Marrero J, Sáez-Francàs N, Santillo D, Alegre J. Treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: all roads lead to Rome. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:345-369. [PMID: 28052319 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 11/25/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This review explores the current evidence on benefits and harms of therapeutic interventions in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and makes recommendations. CFS/ME is a complex, multi-system, chronic medical condition whose pathophysiology remains unknown. No established diagnostic tests exist nor are any FDA-approved drugs available for treatment. Because of the range of symptoms of CFS/ME, treatment approaches vary widely. Studies undertaken have heterogeneous designs and are limited by sample size, length of follow-up, applicability and methodological quality. The use of rintatolimod and rituximab as well as counselling, behavioural and rehabilitation therapy programs may be of benefit for CFS/ME, but the evidence of their effectiveness is still limited. Similarly, adaptive pacing appears to offer some benefits, but the results are debatable: so is the use of nutritional supplements, which may be of value to CFS/ME patients with biochemically proven deficiencies. To summarize, the recommended treatment strategies should include proper administration of nutritional supplements in CFS/ME patients with demonstrated deficiencies and personalized pacing programs to relieve symptoms and improve performance of daily activities, but a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluation is required to confirm these preliminary observations. At present, no firm conclusions can be drawn because the few RCTs undertaken to date have been small-scale, with a high risk of bias, and have used different case definitions. Further, RCTs are now urgently needed with rigorous experimental designs and appropriate data analysis, focusing particularly on the comparison of outcomes measures according to clinical presentation, patient characteristics, case criteria and degree of disability (i.e. severely ill ME cases or bedridden).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Castro-Marrero
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Dafna Santillo
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Alegre
- CFS/ME Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Collserola Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Goldsmith LP, Dunn G, Bentall RP, Lewis SW, Wearden AJ. Correction: Therapist Effects and the Impact of Early Therapeutic Alliance on Symptomatic Outcome in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157199. [PMID: 27249413 PMCID: PMC4889075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144623.].
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Goldsmith LP, Dunn G, Bentall RP, Lewis SW, Wearden AJ. Correction: Therapist Effects and the Impact of Early Therapeutic Alliance on Symptomatic Outcome in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156120. [PMID: 27191956 PMCID: PMC4871525 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144623.].
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