Service based comparison of group cbt to waiting list control for cfs with regard to symptom reduction and psychological dimensions - Heald et al 2019

Sly Saint

Sly Saint

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Service based comparison of group cognitive behavior therapy to waiting list control for chronic fatigue syndrome with regard to symptom reduction and positive psychological dimensions
Heald, Adrian PhDa,*; Barber, Louise PhDb; Jones, Helen Lyon PhDb; Farman, Sanam MDc; Walther, Andreas PhDd
September 2019 - Volume 98 - Issue 39 - p e16720
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000016720
Research Article: Clinical Trial/Experimental Study

  • Abstract
  • Background: Although chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sometimes referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a very challenging condition to treat, there is evidence that individual cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) can be effective for treatment and
management of its symptoms. Furthermore, group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) is emerging as promising treatment for the condition.

The aim of the present study was to explore further the effectiveness of GCBT in a routine clinical setting and to investigate associated positive psychological effects related to GCBT.

Methods: In this pragmatic, non-randomized, controlled trial, 28 people acted as their own waiting list control by completing a range of measures 8 weeks prior to taking part in the GCBT. The intervention consisted of 8 consecutive weeks of 2.5-hour sessions.

Results: Repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed significant improvements in physical fatigue (F = 28.31, P < .01, effect size d = 0.52), mental fatigue (F = 7.72, P < .01, effect size d = 0.22), and depressive symptoms (Beck depression inventory-fast screen for medical individuals [BDI-FS]: F = 11.43, P < .01, effect size d = 0.30; hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS-D]: F = 16.72, P < .01, effect size d = 0.38) compared with the waiting list. Improvements in quality of life (F = 7.56, P < .01, effect size d = 0.23), hope (F = 15.15, P < .01, effect size d = 0.36), and optimism (F = 8.17, P < .01, effect size d = 0.23) were also identified, but no change was reported for anxiety levels. Global outcome measures revealed that the majority of the individuals found the treatment beneficial and were satisfied with the results.

Conclusion: GCBT is a beneficial and cost-effective treatment that individuals find amenable in routine clinical practice for CFS. Additionally we have described important effects emerged on positive psychological dimensions such as hope and optimism potentially enhancing the overall benefit.
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https://journals.lww.com/md-journal...ce_based_comparison_of_group_cognitive.1.aspx


Conversely, they were discouraged from excessive symptom focus. Regular time for joke telling was scheduled to further facilitate a non-adversarial atmosphere and increase acceptability of the intervention. Links between sense of humor and self-reported physical health appear to be well supported.[24] Similarly, there is a growing body of empirical data to support the popular belief that laughter benefits health
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seem to remember something on another thread suggesting telling jokes(?)

I have no doubt that laughter is good but this seems a very manipulative way of getting people to 'accept' a 'therapy'.
 
I see the questionnaires were carefully chosen as those most easily influenced by the therapy. Nothing about physical function or ability to carry out normal tasks, or go back to work etc., no objective tests, just train them to say they are feeling more positive and less fatigued.

Bah humbug.
 
Regular time for joke telling was scheduled to further facilitate a non-adversarial atmosphere and increase acceptability of the intervention. Links between sense of humor and self-reported physical health appear to be well supported.[24] Similarly, there is a growing body of empirical data to support the popular belief that laughter benefits health
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Have you heard the one about the Englishman, the Scotsman and the PACE study?
 
It's pretty much inevitable at this point that there will be a trial of clown therapy uh?

Hopefully there is a good control that include Pennywise-type and Batman Joker-type clowns. The authors will be pleasantly surprised to find that happy clowns are the best treatment around, I'm sure. Unless they freestyle and give a try to "if you don't get better I will kill you in your sleep and eat you soul HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA" treatment. Now that would report some serious imaginary symptom reduction.

Although to be fair, we are already subjected to clown "science" so we kind of know already. There's already been the distance healing one anyway so it's hard to be more clownish anyway.

I do love how the trial aims to measure symptom reduction and does not actually ask about symptoms other than the imaginary psychomagic ones. Or actually measure anything at all. No pain reported. Don't ask don't know.
 
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They used a four-point fatigue scale, with terms like "more fatigue than usual" "less fatigue than usual" something like that.

Only four points for a fatigue scale is disqualifying as bona fide ME/CFS research.

Oh, and individual ICBT (carrot bullshit therapy) versus Group CBT, oh boy. Now we're saving money, or if you were in the colonies, you'd be trademarking this (bogus) therapy and charging $800 for a 2-hour seminar to other bogus psychologists.
 
From the article: "Conversely, they were discouraged from excessive symptom focus. Regular time for joke telling was scheduled to further facilitate a non-adversarial atmosphere and increase acceptability of the intervention. Links between sense of humor and self-reported physical health appear to be well supported.[24] Similarly, there is a growing body of empirical data to support the popular belief that laughter benefits health."


There are real life mixed reviews on the outcomes from having a sense of humour, and its links to good physical health.

By these researchers logic, comedians should be some of the healthiest, happiest people around.

I can count three right off the bat who were not: one with MS, one with Parkinsons's and one who died of a heart attack.
 
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