Comparing Acceptance Commitment Therapy and Micro Breaks for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Study to Determine the Effectiveness of Therapy Methods (acceptance Commitment Therapy, Micro Breaks) in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

This study is testing whether Acceptance Commitment Therapy or short breaks can help people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome feel better and improve their daily lives.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 55 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Zurich (other)
• Drugs / interventions: chemotherapy
• Locations: 1 site (Zurich)
• Trial ID: NCT05168124 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) and micro breaks in managing symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). Participants diagnosed with CFS/ME will engage in either ACT or micro breaks to assess improvements in their fatigue and overall functioning. The study aims to determine which intervention is more beneficial for enhancing the quality of life in affected individuals. The approach includes online therapeutic procedures, making it accessible for participants with internet access.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis who have psychiatric stability and access to the internet.

Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric disorders or untreated internal medical conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide effective non-pharmacological treatment options for patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using psychological therapies for chronic fatigue, but this specific comparison of ACT and micro breaks is novel.

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

Where this trial is running

Zurich

• University Hospital of Zurich — Zurich, Switzerland (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sarah Schiebler, MBA, MD

Conditions: Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic