NEWSBRIEF: A study just published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) outcomes in chronic fatigue syndrome may be more ambiguous that postulated by the cognitive-behavioral model.
The CBT treatment model includes graded-activity or graded-exercise therapy (GET) and is highly controversial. Proponents of the model say it shows consistently positive outcomes, while opponents have long contended that it was an ineffective treatment for many.
In this study, most patients did improve overall. However, when it came to capacity for physical activity, two-thirds had declines or no significant change. All participants in the study were considered high-functioning chronic fatigue syndrome patients.
This study casts further doubt on the efficacy of GET as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Most of the studies I’ve seen that utilize the CBT with exercise theory do not count the ones that failed to complete the study.
I had major shoulder surgery 80% torn labrum and two 60% rotoray cuff tears as well I was suffering from CFS. I had to stop my rehab once I acheived enough range of motion because in just using the rubber bands to strenghten my muscles I would have to sit down between each set and recover. When I made it home afterwards I’d just fall out in bed.
The point is if you don’t count the one’s that can’t complete the study you are leaving out a very large group of people suffering therefore greatly skewing the study!
If it worked who wouldn’t want to complete this seemingly easy course of treatment and become well and productive once again instead of suffering like we do?