Abstract
This edition of Multiple Sclerosis Journal includes reports from three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of cognitive behaviour therapy1, aerobic training2 and energy conservation3 management for the treatment of MS fatigue. The three trials were led by separate research teams as part of the Dutch TREFAMS-ACE consortium4. Each trial compared one of the active treatments against a standardised control condition of three 45-minute individual face-to-face consultations with experienced and trained MS-nurses over a 4-month period. The MS nurses gave patients a standardised brochure about fatigue. Patients had the opportunity to discuss their fatigue and set goals for managing fatigue. In contrast, the three active treatments (summarised in the Table) included 12 45 minute individual face-to face treatment sessions with a health professional over the same time period. Participants in all three trials were followed up over 12-months. The primary outcomes, Checklist Individual Strengths (CIS20r)5 domain fatigue and Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPA) 6 were identical in all studies. Secondary outcomes included the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale7 and the Fatigue Severity Scale8. ECM showed no significant improvements over the control condition on any outcomes. The CBT and aerobic training RCTS reported positive effects on the primary and secondary fatigue measures at the end of treatment, but effects were lost at 52-weeks follow-up. None of the trials found a positive effect for the active interventions on IPA at any follow-up point.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1436 |
Number of pages | 1440 |
Journal | Multiple Sclerosis Journal |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 11 |
Early online date | 26 Sept 2017 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2017 |
Keywords
- Multiple Sclerosis
- CBT
- MS fatigue
- aerobic training