Anthonie Janse1,2, Arno van Dam3, Coby Pijpers3, Jan F Wiborg1, Gijs Bleijenberg4, Marcia Tummers5, Jos Twisk6, Stephanie Nikolaus1, Hans Knoop1,2. 1. Expert Centre for Chronic Fatigue, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 2. Academic Medical Centre (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, The Netherlands. 3. GGZ Westelijk Noord-Brabant, Institute for Mental Health Care, Roosendaal, The Netherlands. 4. Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 5. Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 6. Department of Methodology and Applied Biostatistics, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Stepped care for CFS, consisting of a minimal intervention followed by face-to-face CBT, was found efficacious when tested in a CFS specialist centre. Stepped care implemented in a community-based mental health centre (MHC) has not yet been evaluated. AIMS: (1) To test the effectiveness of stepped care for CFS implemented in a MHC at post-treatment and at long-term follow-up; and (2) compare post-treatment outcomes of implemented stepped care with treatment outcomes of a CFS specialist centre. METHOD: An uncontrolled study was used to test effectiveness of stepped care implemented in a MHC (n = 123). The outcomes of implemented care were compared with the outcomes of specialist care reported in previous studies (n = 583). Data on outcomes from implemented stepped care were gathered at post-treatment and at long-term follow-up. Mixed models were used as method of analysis. RESULTS: Fatigue decreased and physical functioning increased significantly following implemented stepped care (both p < .001). The follow-up was completed by 94 patients (78%) within 1-6 years after treatment. Treatment effects were sustained to follow-up. Patients in the MHC showed less improvement directly following stepped care compared with patients in a CFS specialist centre (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Implemented stepped care for CFS is effective with sustained treatment gains at long-term follow-up. There is room for improvement when compared with outcomes of a CFS specialist centre. Some suggestions are made on how to improve stepped care.
BACKGROUND: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Stepped care for CFS, consisting of a minimal intervention followed by face-to-face CBT, was found efficacious when tested in a CFS specialist centre. Stepped care implemented in a community-based mental health centre (MHC) has not yet been evaluated. AIMS: (1) To test the effectiveness of stepped care for CFS implemented in a MHC at post-treatment and at long-term follow-up; and (2) compare post-treatment outcomes of implemented stepped care with treatment outcomes of a CFS specialist centre. METHOD: An uncontrolled study was used to test effectiveness of stepped care implemented in a MHC (n = 123). The outcomes of implemented care were compared with the outcomes of specialist care reported in previous studies (n = 583). Data on outcomes from implemented stepped care were gathered at post-treatment and at long-term follow-up. Mixed models were used as method of analysis. RESULTS: Fatigue decreased and physical functioning increased significantly following implemented stepped care (both p < .001). The follow-up was completed by 94 patients (78%) within 1-6 years after treatment. Treatment effects were sustained to follow-up. Patients in the MHC showed less improvement directly following stepped care compared with patients in a CFS specialist centre (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Implemented stepped care for CFS is effective with sustained treatment gains at long-term follow-up. There is room for improvement when compared with outcomes of a CFS specialist centre. Some suggestions are made on how to improve stepped care.
Authors: Margreet Worm-Smeitink; Arno van Dam; Saskia van Es; Rosalie van der Vaart; Andrea Evers; Michel Wensing; Hans Knoop Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2019-10-10 Impact factor: 5.428