Implementation of stepped care for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome in community-based mental health care: outcomes at post-treatment and long-term follow-up.

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.

[Utilisation of Psychotherapeutic Assistance By Diabetes Patients with a History of Migration].

According to available studies, migrant patients are more often affected by diabetes mellitus and comorbid psychological complaints than patients without a history of migration. Less is known about whether these patients receive psychotherapeutic assistance for their complaints and which factors may influence the utilisation of psychotherapy in this patient group. We sought to answer these questions by using culture sensitive material which included a screening for depressive symptoms (the Patient Health Questionnaire) and sociodemographic items.

Long-term follow-up after cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective: Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Main aim was to determine whether treatment effects were maintained up to 10years after treatment.

Methods: Participants (n=583) of previously published studies on the effects of CBT for CFS were contacted for a long-term follow-up assessment.

Does migration affect the outcome of inpatient psychotherapy? Results from a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Reliable data to determine whether migrant patients benefit sufficiently from evidence-based mental health interventions are scarce. Our aim was to examine the effect of migration on the outcome of inpatient psychotherapy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study and predicted the course of the global severity index of the Symptom Checklist 90 during therapy based on data from our routine clinical practice (N=542).

Course and Predictors of Postdeployment Fatigue: A Prospective Cohort Study in the Dutch Armed Forces.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine course and predictors of fatigue in military personnel deployed to Afghanistan.

Methods: A total of 906 soldiers in the Dutch Armed Forces who participated in a 4-month mission to Afghanistan were included in this study. Assessment took place prior to and 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after deployment.

Randomised controlled trial of cognitive behaviour therapy delivered in groups of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: Meta-analyses have been inconclusive about the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapies (CBTs) delivered in groups of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) due to a lack of adequate studies.

Methods: We conducted a pragmatic randomised controlled trial with 204 adult CFS patients from our routine clinical practice who were willing to receive group therapy. Patients were equally allocated to therapy groups of 8 patients and 2 therapists, 4 patients and 1 therapist or a waiting list control condition.

Illness perceptions in patients with somatoform disorders: examining the role of comorbidity.

We examined the role of comorbidity in models that use the illness perceptions of patients with somatoform disorders to explain their outcomes. A total of 138 primary care patients with somatoform disorders completed the Patient Health Questionnaire and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and rated their general health status. Medical comorbidity was rated by the general practitioner.

Implementing evidence-based practice for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Unlabelled: The aim of our study was to explore whether community-based mental health care centres (MHCs) are able to implement and sustain cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with the help of an implementation manual. We monitored the implementation process and treatment outcome data of three Dutch MHCs that implemented or sustained CBT for CFS, one in the context of a stepped care programme. We compared these data with findings of other treatment studies conducted in the context of CBT for CFS.

Therapist effects and the dissemination of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in community-based mental health care.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to explore the role of the therapist in the dissemination of manualized cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) outside specialized treatment settings.

Method: We used the routinely collected outcome data of three community-based mental health care centers (MHCs) which implemented and sustained CBT for CFS during the course of the study. Ten therapists, who all received the same training in CBT for CFS, and 103 patients with CFS were included.

Towards an evidence-based treatment model for cognitive behavioral interventions focusing on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to develop a treatment model for cognitive behavioral interventions focusing on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) based on the model of perpetuating factors introduced by Vercoulen et al. [Journal of Psychosomatic Research 1998;45:507-17].

Methods: For this purpose, we reanalyzed the data of a previously conducted randomized controlled trial in which a low intensity cognitive behavioral intervention was compared to a waiting list control group.

Examining the role of physical activity in reducing postcancer fatigue.

Purpose: Persistent fatigue is a long-term adverse effect experienced in about a quarter of patients cured of cancer. It was shown that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) especially designed for postcancer fatigue is highly effective in reducing severe fatigue. However, it is unclear by what mechanism the fatigue reduction is reached.

Does a decrease in avoidance behavior and focusing on fatigue mediate the effect of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome?

Objective: Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) leads to a significant reduction in fatigue severity and impairment in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the effect of CBT for CFS on fatigue and impairment is mediated by a decrease in avoidance behavior and focusing on fatigue.

Methods: For this purpose, we reanalyzed a randomized controlled trial which was previously conducted to test the efficacy of CBT for CFS.

Being homebound with chronic fatigue syndrome: A multidimensional comparison with outpatients.

Many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) seem to experience periods in which they are homebound due to their symptomatology. Despite a growing body of research about CFS, little is known about patients who no longer feel able to leave their homes. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether homebound patients differ from other CFS patients on illness-specific characteristics.