Patients' experiences and effects of non-pharmacological treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping mixed methods review
Mengshoel, Anne Marit (University of Oslo)
Helland, Ingrid Bergliot (Oslo University Hospital (Oslo, Noruega))
Meeus, Mira (University of Antwerp)
Castro-Marrero, Jesús (Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron. Institut de Recerca)
Pheby, Derek (Buckinghamshire New University)
Bolle Strand, Elin (VID Specialized University)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2020
Abstract:	The EU COST Action 15111 collaboration on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) aims to assess current research and identify knowledge gaps in Europe. Presently, our purpose is to map the effects of non-pharmacological therapies (NPTs) for ME/CFS, and what patients find important in the treatment process. A scoping mixed methods literature review of European studies identified 16 papers fulfiling our inclusion criteria. The quantitative and qualitative studies were synthesized separately in tables. Additionally, extracts from the qualitative studies were subjected to translational analysis. Effect studies addressed cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT, n = 4), multimodal rehabilitation (n = 2) and activity-pacing (n = 2). CBT reduced fatigue scores more than usual care or waiting list controls. The effects of rehabilitation and activity-pacing were inconsistent. The contents, assessment methods and effects of rehabilitation and activity pacing studies varied. For patients, health professionals' recognition of ME/CFS and support were crucial, but they expressed ambiguous experiences of what the NPTs entail. Methodological differences make comparisons across NPTs impossible, and from a patient perspective the relevance of the specific contents of NPTs are unclear. Future well-designed studies should focus on developing NPTs tailored to patients' concerns and evaluation tools reflecting what is essential for patients.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Myalgic encephalomyelitis ; Chronic fatigue syndrome ; Systematic literature review ; Cognitive behavioural therapy ; Activity pacing ; Exercise ; Rehabilitation ; Effect ; Patient experiences ; Non-pharmacological treatments
Published in:	International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, Vol. 15 (may 2020) , ISSN 1748-2631

DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2020.1764830
PMID: 32432991

16 p, 1.7 MB

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Articles > Research articles
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