In search of a new balance. Can high "action-proneness" in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome be changed by a multidisciplinary group treatment?

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in action-proneness (a cognitive and behavioral tendency toward direct action) after a multidisciplinary group intervention, including cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET).

Methods: Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (n=62) completed three versions of a Dutch self-report questionnaire evaluating action-proneness retrospectively that is (1) before illness onset, (2) before treatment and (3) after treatment. Significant others (n=62) also gave their opinion about the patients' action-proneness at time points 1 and 2.

Results: Premorbid action-proneness levels considerably dropped after illness onset. After treatment, action-proneness levels significantly increased again, although levels remained below premorbid levels.

Conclusion: High action-proneness retrospectively reported by CFS patients can be adaptively modified by a multidisciplinary group treatment including CBT and GET.