Authors' objectives:

The aim of this study was to determine whether any particular intervention or combination of interventions is effective in the treament, management and rehabilitation of adults and children with a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME).

Authors' results and conclusions: The overall literature search identified 10,768 items, of which 70 met the inclusion criteria for the review. Two studies included in the review by Bagnall et al. were excluded from the updated review, one because it included patients with chronic mononucleosis and one because a full report was subsequently published. Fifteen papers that were ordered as potentially meeting inclusion criteria had not arrived at the time of writing. One paper in the Russian language was identified as potentially meeting inclusion criteria but has not been translated. The paper is about a yeast extract supplement but it is unclear whether patients all had CFS. Of the studies included in the review, 59 were RCTs and the remainder non-randomised controlled trials. Of the newly included studies, 15 showed some beneficial effect of the intervention and eight showed an overall beneficial effect. Validity scores ranged from 2 to 19 for the included RCTs and from 0 to 14 for the controlled trials. Controlled trials generally scored less well than RCTs on all validity criteria. A high degree of heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes was evident.

Authors' recommendations: Over the last 5 years, there has been a marked increase in the size and quality of the evidence base on interventions for CFS/ME. CBT and GET have shown promising results in reducing the symptoms of CFS/ME and improving physical functioning. There is a need for research to define the characteristics of patients who would benefit from specific interventions and to develop clinically relevant objective outcome measures.

Authors' methods: Systematic review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/CRD_Reports/crdreport35.pdf

Year Published: 2007

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: University of York

Contact Address: University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,

Contact Name: crd@york.ac.uk

Contact Email: crd@york.ac.uk

Copyright: Centre for Reviews and Dissemination