Recruiting Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis to Internet-Delivered Therapy: Internal Pilot Within a Randomized Controlled Trial. — CFSMEATLAS
Recruiting Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis to Internet-Delivered Therapy: Internal Pilot Within a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Anderson, Emma, Parslow, Roxanne, Hollingworth, William et al. · Journal of medical Internet research · 2020 · DOI
Quick Summary
This study tested whether teenagers with ME/CFS could successfully receive specialist treatment through the internet instead of traveling to hospitals. Researchers recruited 89 young people across the UK and offered them two types of online treatment: a cognitive behavioral therapy program with messaging support from a psychologist, or activity management sessions over Skype with a physiotherapist. Most participants completed the study and found the online treatment acceptable, showing that remote delivery of ME/CFS care is workable.
Why It Matters
Most UK adolescents with ME/CFS lack access to local specialist services, and this study demonstrates that internet-delivered treatment is a feasible alternative that could significantly expand access to care. The findings support the viability of remote specialist services for a population that is often disabled and geographically dispersed. This work provides evidence for service expansion and offers a potential model for other countries with similar access barriers.
Observed Findings
89 of 150 potentially eligible adolescents (59.3%) were successfully recruited via remote assessment methods.
84.2% of enrolled participants (75/89) provided 6-month outcome data, indicating high retention.
Both web-based cognitive behavioral therapy and Skype-delivered activity management were reported as acceptable by participants and clinicians.
Participants and families identified both advantages and disadvantages of remote delivery compared to face-to-face treatment.
No serious adverse events were reported during the study period.
Inferred Conclusions
Remote recruitment and treatment delivery for adolescents with ME/CFS is operationally feasible within specialist NHS services.
Internet-based specialist treatment is acceptable to young people and families, though some prefer face-to-face contact despite geographical barriers.
High retention rates in this population suggest that well-designed remote interventions can maintain engagement in adolescents with ME/CFS.
Remote service delivery could potentially expand access to specialist care for the majority of UK adolescents with ME/CFS who currently have no local services.
Remaining Questions
What factors predict which families will prefer remote versus face-to-face treatment, and can interventions be tailored accordingly?
What This Study Does Not Prove
This pilot study does not demonstrate that internet-delivered treatment is more effective than in-person care—it only shows feasibility and acceptability. The 59.3% recruitment rate suggests selection bias and self-selection effects that limit generalizability. The study does not establish which components of treatment are responsible for any clinical improvements, nor does it compare outcomes between the two active interventions.
Tags
Symptom:Fatigue
Phenotype:Pediatric
Method Flag:PEM Not DefinedWeak Case DefinitionExploratory Only