June/July 2012 (vol. 09/1)

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Research Plus

Chronic fatigue

A randomised controlled trial (222 patients) in SE England on primary care interventions to manage chronic fatigue found that symptoms improved significantly after six months, in keeping with previous research. However, there were no significant differences in symptoms improvement between either graded exercise therapy (GET) or counselling compared to usual care (which comprised being given a booklet describing self-help techniques based on cognitive behavioural therapy principles). All the interventions significantly improved Chalder fatigue scores at six and 12 months. Over half the patients in all three groups expressed dissatisfaction with their care at six months; however, significantly more (65%) were dissatisfied in the usual-care group at 12 months, compared with the GET (52%) and counselling groups (54%). GPs should reassess patients after six months and discuss further therapy if fatigue symptoms remain.

Psychological Medicine 2012; online first: doi:10.1017/S0033291712000256.  http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=5DCF6A306D992D8B9A29F451E01B976D.journals?aid=8687432&fileId=S0033291712000256

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2012 (vol. 09/1) pp39