Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic condition distinguished by disabling fatigue associated with post-exertional malaise, as well as changes to sleep, autonomic functioning, and cognition. Mind-body interventions (MBI...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/7/652 |
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| author | Samaneh Khanpour Ardestani Mohammad Karkhaneh Eleanor Stein Salima Punja Daniela R. Junqueira Tatiana Kuzmyn Michelle Pearson Laurie Smith Karin Olson Sunita Vohra |
| author_facet | Samaneh Khanpour Ardestani Mohammad Karkhaneh Eleanor Stein Salima Punja Daniela R. Junqueira Tatiana Kuzmyn Michelle Pearson Laurie Smith Karin Olson Sunita Vohra |
| author_sort | Samaneh Khanpour Ardestani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic condition distinguished by disabling fatigue associated with post-exertional malaise, as well as changes to sleep, autonomic functioning, and cognition. Mind-body interventions (MBIs) utilize the ongoing interaction between the mind and body to improve health and wellbeing. Purpose: To systematically review studies using MBIs for the treatment of ME/CFS symptoms. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched (inception to September 2020). Interventional studies on adults diagnosed with ME/CFS, using one of the MBIs in comparison with any placebo, standard of care treatment or waitlist control, and measuring outcomes relevant to the signs and symptoms of ME/CFS and quality of life were assessed for inclusion. Characteristics and findings of the included studies were summarized using a descriptive approach. <i>Results</i>: 12 out of 382 retrieved references were included. Seven studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with one including three reports (1 RCT, 2 single-arms); others were single-arm trials. Interventions included mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, relaxation, Qigong, cognitive-behavioral stress management, acceptance and commitment therapy and isometric yoga. The outcomes measured most often were fatigue severity, anxiety/depression, and quality of life. Fatigue severity and symptoms of anxiety/depression were improved in nine and eight studies respectively, and three studies found that MBIs improved quality of life. <i>Conclusions</i>: Fatigue severity, anxiety/depression and physical and mental functioning were shown to be improved in patients receiving MBIs. However, small sample sizes, heterogeneous diagnostic criteria, and a high risk of bias may challenge this result. Further research using standardized outcomes would help advance the field. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:04:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a69967dbd35430fa81493beacf5ef14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T10:04:33Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a69967dbd35430fa81493beacf5ef142023-11-22T01:37:49ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442021-06-0157765210.3390/medicina57070652Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue SyndromeSamaneh Khanpour Ardestani0Mohammad Karkhaneh1Eleanor Stein2Salima Punja3Daniela R. Junqueira4Tatiana Kuzmyn5Michelle Pearson6Laurie Smith7Karin Olson8Sunita Vohra9Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, CanadaInstitute of Health Economics, Edmonton, AB T6X 0E1, CanadaDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2T4L8, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, CanadaDepartment of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, CanadaPatient Research Partner, Retired RN, Patient and Community Engagement Research (PaCER) Program Graduate, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2P 1B2, CanadaPatient Research Partner, MAPC, CEO Wunjo IS, Calgary, AB T3K 4N8, CanadaPatient Research Partner, Calgary, AB 95060, CanadaFaculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, CanadaDepartments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1C9, Canada<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is a chronic condition distinguished by disabling fatigue associated with post-exertional malaise, as well as changes to sleep, autonomic functioning, and cognition. Mind-body interventions (MBIs) utilize the ongoing interaction between the mind and body to improve health and wellbeing. Purpose: To systematically review studies using MBIs for the treatment of ME/CFS symptoms. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched (inception to September 2020). Interventional studies on adults diagnosed with ME/CFS, using one of the MBIs in comparison with any placebo, standard of care treatment or waitlist control, and measuring outcomes relevant to the signs and symptoms of ME/CFS and quality of life were assessed for inclusion. Characteristics and findings of the included studies were summarized using a descriptive approach. <i>Results</i>: 12 out of 382 retrieved references were included. Seven studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with one including three reports (1 RCT, 2 single-arms); others were single-arm trials. Interventions included mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, relaxation, Qigong, cognitive-behavioral stress management, acceptance and commitment therapy and isometric yoga. The outcomes measured most often were fatigue severity, anxiety/depression, and quality of life. Fatigue severity and symptoms of anxiety/depression were improved in nine and eight studies respectively, and three studies found that MBIs improved quality of life. <i>Conclusions</i>: Fatigue severity, anxiety/depression and physical and mental functioning were shown to be improved in patients receiving MBIs. However, small sample sizes, heterogeneous diagnostic criteria, and a high risk of bias may challenge this result. Further research using standardized outcomes would help advance the field.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/7/652myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndromemind-body interventionssystematic reviewadults |
| spellingShingle | Samaneh Khanpour Ardestani Mohammad Karkhaneh Eleanor Stein Salima Punja Daniela R. Junqueira Tatiana Kuzmyn Michelle Pearson Laurie Smith Karin Olson Sunita Vohra Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Medicina myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome mind-body interventions systematic review adults |
| title | Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| title_full | Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| title_short | Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
| title_sort | systematic review of mind body interventions to treat myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue syndrome |
| topic | myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome mind-body interventions systematic review adults |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/7/652 |
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