ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To improve the effectiveness of treatment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome it is worthwhile studying factors influencing outcomes. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the association of expectancy and credibility on treatment outcomes, and (2) to identify baseline variables associated with treatment expectancy and credibility. METHODS: 122 patients were included in a randomized controlled trial of whom 60 received cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and 62 multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT). Expectancy and credibility were measured with the credibility and expectancy questionnaire. Outcomes of treatment, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL), were measured at baseline and post-treatment. Multiple linear regressions were performed to analyse associations. RESULTS: In explaining fatigue and the physical component of the QoL, the effect of expectancy was significant for MRT, whereas in CBT no such associations were found. The main effect of expectancy on the mental component of QoL was not significant. For credibility, the overall effect on fatigue and the physical component of QoL was not significant. In explaining the mental component of QoL, the interaction between treatment and credibility was significant. However, the effects within each group were not significant. In the regression model with expectancy as dependent variable, only treatment centre appeared significantly associated. In explaining credibility, treatment centre, treatment allocation and depression contributed significantly. CONCLUSIONS: For clinical practice it seems important to check the expectations of the patient, since expectations influence the outcome after MRT.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/psychology , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/rehabilitation , Fatigue/prevention & control , Quality of Life , Adult , Attitude , Combined Modality Therapy , Fatigue/etiology , Fatigue/psychology , Female , Humans , Linear Models , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Care Team , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the difference in treatment effect, at 26 and 52 weeks after the start of treatment, between cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT) for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). DESIGN: Multicentre, randomized controlled trial of patients with CFS. Participants were randomly assigned to MRT or CBT. SETTING: Four rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands. SUBJECTS: A total of 122 patients participated in the trial. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were fatigue measured by the fatigue subscale of the Checklist Individual Strength and health-related quality of life measured by the Short-Form 36. Outcomes were assessed prior to treatment and at 26 and 52 weeks after treatment initiation. RESULTS: A total of 114 participants completed the assessment at 26 weeks, and 112 completed the assessment at 52 weeks. MRT was significantly more effective than CBT in reducing fatigue at 52 weeks. The estimated difference in fatigue between the two treatments was -3.02 [95% confidence interval (CI) -8.07 to 2.03; P = 0.24] at 26 weeks and -5.69 (95% CI -10.62 to -0.76; P = 0.02) at 52 weeks. Patients showed an improvement in quality of life over time, but between-group differences were not significant. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that MRT is more effective in reducing long-term fatigue severity than CBT in patients with CFS. Although implementation in comparable populations can be recommended based on clinical effectiveness, it is advisable to analyse the cost-effectiveness and replicate these findings in another multicentre trial.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Fatigue , Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic/rehabilitation , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Care Team , Quality of Life , Single-Blind Method , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe responsiveness of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) in a group of children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: The subjects were 55 children with cerebral palsy aged 2 to 7 years (mean 4.6 years). We described the responsiveness of the GMFM and PEDI for all children (n = 55), for children younger than 4 years of age (n = 22) and those older or equal to 4 years (n = 33). Two frames of references for determining responsiveness were used: change over time and external criterion. Responsiveness was calculated with help of the Effect Size (ES), Standardised Response Mean (SRM) and Spearman rank order correlations of change on both the PEDI and GMFM, with change in motor functioning according to the parents as external criterion. RESULTS: The PEDI has ES and SRM values higher than 0.8. The GMFM has ES and SRM values higher than 0.5. For all dimensions of the PEDI and for almost all dimensions of the GMFM, the ESs and SRMs of the younger group are higher than those of the older group. The ES and the SRM of the GMFM increase with the complexity of the task. When looking at the correlations of the PEDI and GMFM change scores with the opinion of parents, the results are less unequivocal. CONCLUSIONS: Both the GMFM and the PEDI are responsive for change in motor ability over time in children with CP, the most in children younger than 4 years of age.
