a1 Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
a2 Department of Psychology, University of Bath, UK
a3 Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK
Background Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that cognitive behavioural psychotherapy (CBT) is an efficacious treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). However, little is known about the mechanisms by which the treatment has its effect. The aim of this study was to investigate potential mechanisms of change underlying the efficacy of CBT for CFS. We applied path analysis and introduce novel model comparison approaches to assess a theoretical CBT model that suggests that fearful cognitions will mediate the relationship between avoidance behaviour and illness outcomes (fatigue and social adjustment).
Method Data from 389 patients with CFS who received CBT in a specialist service in the UK were collected at baseline, at discharge from treatment, and at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Path analyses were used to assess possible mediating effects. Model selection using information criteria was used to compare support for competing mediational models.
Results Path analyses were consistent with the hypothesized model in which fear avoidance beliefs at the 3-month follow-up partially mediate the relationship between avoidance behaviour at discharge and fatigue and social adjustment respectively at 6 months.
Conclusions The results strengthen the validity of a theoretical model of CBT by confirming the role of cognitive and behavioural factors in CFS.
(Received September 26 2012)
(Revised April 30 2013)
(Accepted July 16 2013)
(Online publication August 12 2013)