2005

Child Care Health Dev. 2005 May;31(3):365-366.
Cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: randomized controlled trial.
[No authors listed].

Cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: randomized controlled trial. StulemeijerM, de JongLWAM, FiselierTJW, HoogveldSWB, BleijenbergG. (2005) BMJ, 330, 14-17. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive behaviour therapy for adolescents aged 10 to 17 years with chronic fatigue syndrome. Design Randomized controlled trial. Setting Department of child psychology. Participants A total of 71 consecutively referred patients with chronic fatigue syndrome; 36 were randomly assigned to immediate cognitive behaviour therapy and 35 to the waiting list for therapy. Intervention Ten sessions of therapy over 5 months. Treatment protocols depended on the type of activity pattern (relatively active or passive). All participants were assessed again after 5 months. Main outcome measures Fatigue severity (checklist individual strength), functional impairment (SF-36 physical functioning), and school attendance. Results A total of 62 patients had complete data at 5 months (29 in the immediate therapy group and 33 on the waiting list). Patients in the therapy group reported significantly greater decrease in fatigue severity (difference in decrease on checklist individual strength was 14.5, 95% confidence interval 7.4 to 21.6) and functional impairment (difference in increase on SF-36 physical functioning was 17.3, 6.2 to 28.4) and their attendance at school increased significantly (difference in increase in percentage school attendance was 18.2, 0.8 to 35.5). They also reported a significant reduction in several accompanying symptoms. Self reported improvement was largest in the therapy group. Conclusion Cognitive behaviour therapy is an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents.

2002

Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2002 Aug;9(4):221-7
Short-term therapeutic fasting in the treatment of chronic pain and fatigue syndromes--well-being and side effects with and without mineral supplements.
Michalsen A, Weidenhammer W, Melchart D, Langhorst J, Saha J, Dobos G.
Abteilung fur Innere Medizin V, Naturheilkunde und Integrative Medizin, Kliniken Essen Mitte, Essen.

BACKGROUND: Fasting followed by vegetarian diet has shown to be an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, moreover fasting is frequently used as an adjunctive treatment in chronic pain and stress/exhaustion syndromes. Data on well-being and the frequency of side effects during fasting are mostly retrospective. Mineral supplements are frequently used in order to compensate for fasting-induced tissue acidosis and to reduce side effects. There are only limited data that support this practice. OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of oral mineral supplements on common side effects and well-being during short-term fasting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 209 consecutive inpatients with chronic pain/exhaustion syndromes were recruited. In a controlled non-randomised study design all patients underwent fasting (250 kcal; 3 l fluid intake/day) over 7 days, in study phase 1 without (n = 103) and in study phase 2 with (n = 106) concomitant prescription of standardised oral mineral supplements (3 x 2 to 3 x 3 Bullrich's Vital). Weight, blood pressure and urinary pH were recorded daily. Well-being and mood as well as common side effects (i.e. fatigue, hunger, heart burn, headache) were assessed with standardised self-reports. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of the 209 patients (mean age 54.7 +/- 10.5 years; 83.3% female) were balanced. Both groups showed a fasting-induced decrease of blood pressure, a slight decrease in mood and well-being on days 3 and 4 with consecutive increase and moderate hunger, i.e. in the evening. Side effects and general tolerability of fasting as well as well-being and mood were not different between the groups. There were no serious side effects in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term fasting in inpatients with pain and stress syndromes is safe and well tolerated, concomitant mineral supplements have no additive benefit.

2001

Intern Med. 2001 Nov;40(11):1158-61
Cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy for a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Masuda A, Nakayama T, Yamanaka T, Hatsutanmaru K, Tei C.
First Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University.

Cognitive behavioral therapy temporarily alleviated symptoms of a chronic fatigue syndrome patient but the anxiety about rehabilitation into work became stronger and his symptoms worsened. This patient was successfully rehabilitated by fasting therapy. Natural killer cell activity and serum acylcarnitine levels recovered after fasting therapy. Though fasting therapy transiently increased physical and mental subjective symptoms, the patient gained self-confidence by overcoming difficulties after fasting therapy. A combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and fasting therapy is promising as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.