Araja, Diana, Krumina, Angelika, Nora-Krukle, Zaiga et al. · Frontiers in neuroscience · 2023 · DOI
This article discusses how to improve care for people with ME/CFS by using a comprehensive, team-based approach that includes coaching. The authors argue that coaching—similar to working with a personal guide—can help patients better manage their symptoms, understand their own strengths and abilities, and feel more motivated and hopeful about their treatment. The article suggests this integrated approach combining multiple specialists and patient coaching could help optimize care for chronic fatigue, especially important as ME/CFS-like conditions became more common during and after COVID-19.
ME/CFS is a complex, multisystem condition requiring coordinated care across specialties, yet many patients struggle with fragmented treatment and low engagement. This framework identifies concrete mechanisms—particularly coaching—that could strengthen patient participation and outcomes, addressing a significant gap in current practice models.
This article does not provide empirical evidence that coaching interventions actually improve outcomes in ME/CFS patients—it is a theoretical proposal, not a clinical trial. The study does not demonstrate causation or quantify the magnitude of benefit from any specific coaching approach. The PN-R Model remains untested and requires prospective validation.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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