RCT of nurse led self-help for patients in Primary Care with chronic fatigue syndrome (FINE) - MRC funded
Contact - Dr. Lisa Riste, FINE Trial Manager, H24, Coupland 1, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL.
Academic Lead(s)
- Prof Chris Dowrick
- DrAlison Wearden
Researchers
- Dr Lisa Riste
- Laura Booth
- Greg Cahill
- Colette Bennett
- Sue Connell
- Debbie Fleetwood
Project Status
Ongoing
Collaborating Institution
Universities of Manchester, Liverpool and York
Funding
MRC/ Department of Health
Aim
1. To assess if pragmatic rehabilitation, delivered at home by nurses to CSF patients recruited through primary care a cost effective intervention when compared with treatment as usual delivered through the primary care team
2. Is pragmatic rehabilitation delivered at home by nurses to CFS patients recruited from primary care, a clinically effective intervention in terms of reduced disability and fatigue when compared with treatment as usual delivered through the PHCT
3. Can it be demonstrated that the active component of pragmatic rehabilitation operated in addition to a non specific treatment effect due to contact with a supportive therapist
Method
All staff have now been recruited and are in post. The nurse therapists have completed their training in delivering Supportive Listening therapy and Pragmatic Rehabilitation therapy. All final questionnaires used in the trial have been approved for use within the study.
PCT approval has been obtained from 20 PCTs to date. Packs detailing the trial and how GPs refer patients have been sent to the practices in 15 of these areas (covering 552 practices & 1640 individual GPs). To date we have had 106 referrals from GPs. Of these 54 patients have been randomised into the trial. The first 5 - 20 week follow-up appointments have been carried out. We are currently aiming to maintain this high referral rate by providing feedback via trial newsletters to GPs and by visiting practices to inform them of the trial.
Data has been collected from 54 patients randomised at baseline
Plus 7 patients who were assessed but unsuitable for randomisation
Data has been collected from 5 patients at 20 week follow-up