Efficacy of Web-based Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Adolescents With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (FitNet)

Fatigue in Teenagers on the Internet (FitNet); Efficacy of Web-based Cognitive Behavioural Treatment for Adolescents With the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development, Innovatiefonds Zorgverzekeraars

The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of FITNET (web-based cognitive behavioural treatment) for adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in The Netherlands. The second goal of the study is to establish predictors of outcome. It is very important to know the characteristics of patients who will benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) and who will not. Possible predictors of outcome are: age, depression, anxiety, fatigue of the mother, parental bonding, self-efficacy, body consciousness of child and mother, physical activity (Actometer).

All participants will be randomized to one of the two treatment arms: Intervention with web-based cognitive behavioral treatment Usual care The duration of the cognitive behavioural program is limited to 6 months. The adolescents who have been assigned to the usual care will get the opportunity to attend the program after these 6 months. The total follow-up time is 12 months after the start of the web-based program. The web-based program is developed for both the adolescents and the parents. The program consists of two parts, a psycho-educational part and a cognitive behavioural part consisting of 21 treatment modules. The therapist activates one or more treatment modules per week, dependent on the progress of the participant. Within a treatment module the participant will keep several journals, answer questions and do several assignments. All answers are sent to the therapist, with whom a weekly email contact will be realized. Efficacy of the web-based program will be determined after 6 months. There will be a follow-up measurement at 12 months.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Adolescence, Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), Web-based, Internet, Efficacy

Inclusion Criteria: Adolescents (12 - 18 years) with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Exclusion Criteria: Score greater than or equal to 44 on the Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children Score greater than or equal to 20 on the Children's Depression Inventory No availability of computer and/or internet Risk of suicide Mental retardation

Collin SM, Nuevo R, van de Putte EM, Nijhof SL, Crawley E. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is different in children compared to in adults: a study of UK and Dutch clinical cohorts. BMJ Open. 2015 Oct 28;5(10):e008830. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008830. Erratum In: BMJ Open. 2019 Nov 20;9(11):e008830corr1.

Nijhof SL, Bleijenberg G, Uiterwaal CS, Kimpen JL, van de Putte EM. Fatigue In Teenagers on the interNET--the FITNET Trial. A randomized clinical trial of web-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: study protocol. [ISRCTN59878666]. BMC Neurol. 2011 Feb 19;11:23. doi: 10.1186/1471-2377-11-23.