STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Design & Discovery

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

  1. N. Guna
  2. B. Sangameswaran
  3. P. Sutha
  4. T. Sudhamani
  5. K. Kathikeyan

Abstract

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a multisystemic dysfunctional illness that is characterized by long-term disabling fatigue that is at least 6 months in duration and is accompanied by a variety of rheumatologic, infectious, neuropsychiatric, and neurological symptoms. CFS patients have a significantly impaired functional status that leads to significant personal and economic complications. The purpose of this review was to determine if CBT is more successful than other treatments for CFS and whether it works for CBT both on its own and in conjunction with other therapies. The review also examined the effectiveness of CBT in comparison to other psychological therapy modalities, such as counseling, support/education, and relaxation techniques. It concluded that patients receiving CBT had a higher likelihood of experiencing fewer symptoms of fatigue at the conclusion of their treatment than patients receiving other psychological therapies. There was also a greater reduction in symptoms related to psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and physical functioning. The most compelling and reliable result is that those with CFS have greater rates of mental co-morbidity than healthy controls or disease control groups, primarily for anxiety and depressive disorders.Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a multisystemic dysfunctional illness that is characterized by long-term disabling fatigue that is at least 6 months in duration and is accompanied by a variety of rheumatologic, infectious, neuropsychiatric, and neurological symptoms. CFS patients have a significantly impaired functional status that leads to significant personal and economic complications. The purpose of this review was to determine if CBT is more successful than other treatments for CFS and whether it works for CBT both on its own and in conjunction with other therapies. The review also examined the effectiveness of CBT in comparison to other psychological therapy modalities, such as counseling, support/education, and relaxation techniques. It concluded that patients receiving CBT had a higher likelihood of experiencing fewer symptoms of fatigue at the conclusion of their treatment than patients receiving other psychological therapies. There was also a greater reduction in symptoms related to psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and physical functioning. The most compelling and reliable result is that those with CFS have greater rates of mental co-morbidity than healthy controls or disease control groups, primarily for anxiety and depressive disorders.

Keywords

Support