Details of components in provided in CBT and behavioural interventions
| Study | Intervention | Duration and frequency |
| Chalder et al 24 | CBT-based rehabilitation programme including graded approach to increasing activity and establishing a sleep routine. Cognitive work was included where necessary. | Up to 15 hourly sessions, face to face |
| Diaz-Caneja et al 23 | CBT (no further details given)+fluoxetine (initially 10 mg daily, increased after 1 week to 20 mg). | No details given. |
| Lloyd et al
25 Rimes et al 34 | CBT which addressed unhelpful beliefs including fears about symptoms/activity. Activity diaries were used to establish a consistent routine and achieve a balance between activity and rest. The programme emphasised gradually increasing activities, including school, home, socialising and exercise and establishing a regular sleep routine. Social and emotional problems addressed if time allowed. | Up to 6×30 min sessions, by telephone, based on self-help manual |
| Nijhof et al 22 33 | CBT in the FITNET programme consisted of two sections, a psychoeducational section and CBT section. Parents had parallel modules. | 21 interactive modules delivered via the internet, with e-consultations from therapists. |
| Wright et al20 | STAIRway programme—appears to be a behavioural intervention. Sessions were spent developing a holistic understanding of CFS, formulating the vicious cycles that exacerbate fatigue, including nutrition, sleep patterns, physical deconditioning, social isolation, school non-attendance and emotional cycles. Adaptive coping strategies were developed, and negative attributions about illness and the future addressed. This was in addition to pacing activity to the changing needs and responses of the body by exercising to the point of tolerance and avoiding overexertion. | Approximately 18 sessions over 1 year, beginning weekly and then gradually spacing out more. Face to face. |
CBT, cognitive behavioural therapy; CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome; STAIRway, Structured Tailored Incremental Rehabilitation; FITNET , Fatigue In Teenagers on the interNET.