ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Family cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: an uncontrolled study

T Chalder¹, J Tong², V Deary²

¹ Academic Department of Psychological Medicine, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, 103 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, UK
² The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research and Treatment Unit, South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr T Chalder, Academic Department of Psychological Medicine, Guy's, King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, 103 Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AZ, UK;
t.chalder{at}iop.kcl.ac.uk

Aim: To examine the efficacy of family focused cognitive behaviour therapy for 11–18 year olds with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Methods: Twenty three patients were offered family focused cognitive behaviour therapy. The main outcome was a fatigue score of less than 4 and attendance at school 75% of the time.

Results: Twenty patients completed treatment. Eighteen had completed all measures at six months follow up; 15 of these (83%) improved according to our predetermined criterion. Substantial improvements in social adjustment, depression, and fear were noted.

Conclusions: Family focused cognitive behaviour therapy was effective in improving functioning and reducing fatigue in 11–18 year olds. Gains were maintained at six months follow up.

Keywords: chronic fatigue syndrome; myalgic encephalitis; cognitive behaviour therapy

Abbreviations: CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome; ME, myalgic encephalitis

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