Safe and effective treatments for CFS/ME

Two effective treatments benefit up to 60 per cent of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), according to a collaborative trial by King's College London and colleagues from Queen Mary, University London, and the University of Edinburgh, published in The Lancet today. The largest ever study of CFS/ME treatments, the trial was funded by the Medical Research Council and supported by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Registered Mental Health and Neurosciences Clinical Trials Unit (MH&N CTU) at the Institute of Psychiatry. The PACE trial (Pacing, graded Activity and Cognitive behaviour therapy: a randomised Evaluation), assessed the safety and effectiveness of four separate treatments and found that graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) were the most effective. The findings suggest these two treatments should be offered to all patients who are able to attend hospital if they are suffering from fatigue caused by CFS/ME. The findings support current guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Professor Trudie Chalder from King's College London and a co-author, said: 'We have found that both CBT and GET can safely help a significant number of patients. While there is still room for improvement, this is a real step forward in informing patients with CFS/ME which treatments can help to improve their health and ability to lead a more normal life.' CFS/ME CFS/ME is a long-term, complex and debilitating condition which causes fatigue and other symptoms such as poor concentration and memory, disturbed sleep and muscle and joint pain.