Cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a case study

The case of a 26-year old woman with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is pres ented. Multidimensional assessment showing severe debilitating fatigue and considerable psychological, social and occupational impairment confirmed th e diagnosis. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was based on a tested causal model of CFS and individual behavioral analyses. Rey elements in CBT were p rocess variables from the CFS model, like sense of control, causal attribut ions, physical activity and focusing on bodily functions. Goals were recove ry from fatigue, returning to work and relapse prevention. The course of th erapy is described in detail to illustrate difficulties in treating CFS. As sessments were made five times, at baseline and at 8, 14, 21 and 33 months. Comparison of the pretest, post-test and follow-up scores of the outcome v ariables, fatigue and functional impairment and of the process variables sh owed clinically significant improvement from the range of CFS patients to t he range of healthy controls. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.