Effectiveness of Acceptance Commitment Therapy or Micro Breaks in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Launched by SARAH SCHIEBLER · Dec 22, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two non-drug therapies—Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Micro Breaks in Everyday Life (MBEL)—to see how effective they are for people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). This condition leads to extreme fatigue and can make everyday activities challenging. The goal of the study is to understand how these therapies can help improve symptoms and overall well-being for patients who often feel stuck in their treatment journeys.

To participate in the trial, individuals must have a confirmed diagnosis of CFS/ME and be stable in their mental health for the past three months. They should also have access to the internet and be comfortable using electronic devices. If someone is dealing with severe mental health issues or untreated physical health problems, they may not qualify. Participants will engage in group therapy sessions and share some health-related information, which is kept safe and has minimal risks. This study is a great opportunity for those looking for new ways to manage their condition and contribute to research that could help others in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis for CFS/ME
• * Psychiatric clinical stability in the past 3 months:
• • No diagnostic change to other categories of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)
• • No psychiatric inpatient treatments
• • No psychiatric emergency treatments
• • No suicide attempts
• • Possession of internet access
• • Sufficient skills to use electronic devices
• • The willingness to engage in the described therapeutic procedures or interventions (ACT, MBEL)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Insufficient knowledge of German
• • Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g. personality and posttraumatic stress disorders, dissociative and psychotic disorders, intelligence reduction, untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and acute suicidal tendencies
• • Untreated or severe internal medicine disorders e.g., thyroid dysfunction, central and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (i.e., apnea-hypopnea index \>15 and/or "high-risk group for obstructive sleep apnea" according to the Berlin Questionnaire)
• • Cardiovascular disease such as chronic heart failure
• • Severe or untreated neurological diseases (e.g. Parkinson's disease, dementia, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy)
• • Alcohol and drug dependence
• • Initiation of psychopharmacotherapy at a dosage provided for guideline-appropriate treatment of a mental disorder according to the Drug Compendium in the past 3 months
• • Start of other psychotherapy procedures in the last 3 months
• • Other parallel therapy methods (e.g. acupuncture, qigong, osteopathy)
• • Somatic (sleep-disrupting) treatments, cortisone treatment, or radio-/chemotherapy in the last 6 months