Patient education to encourage graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. 2-year follow-up of randomised controlled trial.

Background: An earlier trial demonstrated good outcomes after 1 year for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) who received an educational intervention designed to encourage graded activity.

Aims: To determine 2-year outcomes for the same treated patients and the response to treatment of patients formerly in the control condition.

Method: Patients in the treatment groups (n=114) were followed up at 2 years; 32 patients from the control group were offered the intervention after 1 year and were assessed 1 year later.

Predictors of response to treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Background: Controlled trials have shown that psychological interventions designed to encourage graded exercise can facilitate recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Aims: To identify predictors of response to psychological treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Method: Of 114 patients assigned to equally effective treatment conditions in a randomised, controlled trial, 95 completed follow-up assessments.