Efficacy of cognitive–behavioural therapy by general practitioners for unexplained fatigue among employees: Randomised controlled trial
Open accessAbstract
Background: Fatigue is a common complaint that may lead to long-term sick leave and work disability. Aims: To assess the efficacy of cognitive–behavioural therapy by general practitioners for unexplained, persistent fatigue among employees. Method: A randomised controlled trial, using a pre-randomisation design in primary care, investigated 151 employees on sick leave with fatigue. Participants in the experimental group were offered five to seven 30 min sessions of cognitive–behavioural therapy by a general practitioner; those in the control group were offered no treatment. Main outcome measures (fatigue severity self-reported absenteeism, registered absenteeism and clinical recovery) were assessed at 4 months, 8 months and 12 months. Results: At baseline, 44% of the patients already met research criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome. There was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group on primary or secondary outcomes at any point. Conclusions: Cognitive–behavioural therapy by general practitioners for unexplained, persistent fatigue did not prove to be an effective intervention. Since these doctors were unable to deliver this therapy effectively under ideal circumstances, it is unlikely that doctors in routine practice would be more successful in doing so.
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At follow-ups longer than 12 months post-treatment, two studies reported non-significant effects on fatigue severity: g = 0.12 (95% CI -0.23 to 0.47) and g = -0.21 (95% CI -0.47 to 0.05).
“For follow-ups longer than 12 months post-treatment, two studies provided information on fatigue severity: [45] reported a ~ 3.5-year follow-up to [46] (g = 0.12, 95%CI -0.23 to 0.47), and [47] reported a two-year follow-up to [42] (g = -0.21, 95%CI -0.47 to 0.05).”
From Efficacy and Acceptance of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Meta-analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as [46]
For fatigue, there was one outlier [33], as well as for perceived health status [46], non-completion [29], and treatment refusal [43].
“For fatigue, there was one outlier [33] as well as for perceived health status [46], non-completion [29], and treatment refusal [43].”
From Efficacy and Acceptance of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Meta-analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as [46]
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Long-term predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: a 4-year follow-up study
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“More details on the design of the trial are described elsewhere (Huibers et al. 2004a).”
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“However, some research has questioned the effi cacy of CBT (Bazelmans & Huibers, 2005; Huibers et al., 2004; Leone et al., 2006; Van Hoof, 2003).”
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“We conducted a prospective study as part of a randomised trial described elsewhere.”
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Prognose van verzuimduur bij psychische aandoeningen
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Research on Neural Network-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
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Rahmenbedingungen für eine Erwerbstätigkeit: Zwischen Krebs, Job (und Alltag)
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- Authors
- Huibers, M. J. H., Beurskens, A. J. H. M., Van Schayck, C. P., Bazelmans, E., Metsemakers, J. F. M., Knottnerus, J. A., & Bleijenberg, G.
- Affiliations
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Maastricht University (NL)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Huibers, Marcus J. H.
- Venue
- British Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
- Published
- 2004-03
- Volume
- 184
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 240-246
- ISSN
- 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
- 1472-1465
- OpenAlex
- W2145362554
- Cited by
- 98
- References
- 30
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 6.22
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
- Keywords
- cognitive behavioral therapy, unexplained fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, general practitioners, primary care, sick leave, absenteeism, work disability, workers, treatment efficacy
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Chronic Disease, Family Practice, Fatigue, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Primary Health Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Sick Leave
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