Long-term outcomes of an integrative rehabilitation program on quality of life: A follow-up study [involving Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients]

Journal: J Psychosom Res. 2006 Dec;61(6):835-9.

Authors and affiliation: Taylor RR, Thanawala SG, Shiraishi Y, Schoeny ME. Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA.

PMID: 17141674

Objective: To assess the long-term effects of an integrative rehabilitation program on the overall quality of life of individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Methods: This study utilized a within-subjects, repeated measures cohort design. Twenty-three subjects diagnosed with CFS attended eight sessions of an illness-management group followed by 7 months of goal-oriented, individualized counseling that occurred once weekly for 30 minutes per session.

Quality of life was assessed at five time points (baseline, following the group phase, following the one-on-one phase, and 4 and 12 months following program completion).

Results: A within-subjects repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant increases in overall quality of life for up to 1 year following program completion [F(4, 21)=23.5, P<.001].

Conclusions: Definitive conclusions about program efficacy are limited by design issues. However, findings suggest that the program may have led to improvement in quality of life for up to 1 year following program completion.