Psychotherapy Eases Chronic Fatigue, Study Finds

[HuckleB]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/18/health/research/18fatigue.html?src=me

"A new study suggests that psychotherapy and a gradual increase in exercise can significantly benefit patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

While this may sound like good news, the findings — published Thursday in The Lancet — are certain to displease many patients and to intensify a fierce, long-running debate about what causes the illness and how to treat it.

Many patients, citing two recent high-profile studies, believe the syndrome may be caused by viruses related to mouse leukemia viruses, and they are clamoring for access to antiretroviral drugs used to treat the virus that causes AIDS. That treatment is very expensive and would be expected to continue indefinitely, and health insurers are not generally willing to pay for untested drug regimens.

The new study, conducted at clinics in Britain and financed by that country’s government, is expected to lend ammunition to those who think the disease is primarily psychological or related to stress.

..."


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Of course, it's just a single study, but it's interesting. Hopefully, this will help some folks.

:hi:

[xchrom]

1. wow - that's interesting. nt

[mopinko]

2. dealing with that kind of disease causes a lot of stress.

unless you can sort out the cause and effect here, all i see is that it is easier to cope with a devastating disease if you have some help that understands.

[HuckleB]

3. Another story on this study: Study finds therapy and exercise best for ME

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/feb/18/study-exercise-therapy-me-treatment

Also: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/737668

This reminds me of some treatments for some chronic pain conditions... which may make sense. Of course, the results are hopeful, but still, many of the patients gained little benefit. Still, this helped many more patients than current therapies, it appears.