Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment or cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: Comparison of treatment effects

D.C.W.M. Vos-Vromans

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisExternal prepared

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Abstract

'In the long term, multidisciplinary rehabilitation is more effective than cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing the amount of fatigue experienced by patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.' This was the core conclusion of this dissertation. For this study, 122 patients were divided into two groups. One group (62 patients) received multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment and the other (60 patients) received cognitive behavioural therapy from a cognitive behavioural therapist/psychologist.
After six months of treatment, both methods proved to effectively reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. However, twelve months after treatment began, the group that received multidisciplinary rehabilitation experienced less fatigue and the group that received cognitive behavioural therapy experienced more fatigue. Both groups retained the same quality of life.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Smeets, Rob, Supervisor
  • Knottnerus, Andre, Supervisor
  • Huijnen, Ivan, Co-Supervisor
Award date18 Feb 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Keywords

  • chronic fatigue syndrome
  • treatment

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