Cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Alicia C. Deale; Trudie Chalder; I. M. Marks; Simon C. Wessely

doi:10.1176/ajp.154.3.408

Cited by 491Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ResearchLong-Term Effects of COVID-19Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

Cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Alicia C. Deale, Trudie Chalder, I. M. Marks, Simon C. Wessely·1997·American Journal of Psychiatry

DOI 10.1176/ajp.154.3.408

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome was compared with relaxation in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Sixty patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were randomly assigned to 13 sessions of either cognitive behavior therapy (graded activity and cognitive restructuring) or relaxation. Outcome was evaluated by using measures of functional impairment, fatigue, mood, and global improvement. RESULTS: Treatment was completed by 53 patients. Functional impairment and fatigue improved more in the group that received cognitive behavior therapy. At final follow-up, 70% of the completers in the cognitive behavior therapy group achieved good outcomes (substantial improvement in physical functioning) compared with 19% of those in the relaxation group who completed treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive behavior therapy was more effective than a relaxation control in the management of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Improvements were sustained over 6 months of follow-up.

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CBT has been adapted and tested with CFS patients yielding superior results compared to standard medical treatment, relaxation, and adaptive pacing therapy, with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.48).
“CBT has been adapted and tested with CFS patients yielding superior results compared to standard medical treatment, relaxation, and adaptive pacing therapy (Sharpe et al., 1996; Deale et al., 1997; White et al., 2011), with moderate effect sizes (d = 0.48) (Malouff et al., 2008).”
From The relationship between improvement in insomnia severity and long-term outcomes in the treatment of chronic fatigue (2018) · cites this paper as Deale et al., 1997

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BackgroundMethodResultInfluential
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Background

Long-Term Outcome of Cognitive Behavior Therapy Versus Relaxation Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study
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Cognitive behaviour therapy improved functional impairment and fatigue in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome
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Authors: Deale, A. C., Chalder, T., Marks, I. M., & Wessely, S. C.
Affiliations: King's College London (GB)
ORCID: Trudie Chalder
Simon C. Wessely
Venue: American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published: 1997-03-01
Volume: 154
Issue: 3
Pages: 408-414
ISSN: 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
1535-7228
DOI: 10.1176/ajp.154.3.408
OpenAlex: W2122883493
Cited by: 491
References: 33
Citations by year: 2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 22
FWCI: 26.78
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
Keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive behavioral therapy, relaxation training, graded activity, cognitive restructuring, functional disability, fatigue, mood, treatment outcomes, follow-up
MeSH terms: Adult, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Status, Humans, Male, Patient Dropouts, Personality Inventory, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Relaxation Therapy, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome

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Cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

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