Effects of a Rehabilitation Programme Focused on Energy Management in People With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

NCT07363655 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2024.063
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 13
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study focuses on rehabilitation nursing care for adults diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in a home setting. The objective is to evaluate the effects of an individualised rehabilitation programme, which aims to empower participants to manage their energy effectively, observing the impacts on functionality and fatigue.

Conditions

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME); Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Keywords

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS);; energy management;; pacing; fatigue; physical function; quality of 19 life.)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Functional Assessment

  Short Form Health Survey: SF 36 v2 (physical dimension)

  Assessment at two time points: M0 - before the start of the intervention; M1 - 12 weeks after the end of the intervention.

• Quality of Life Measure

  Quality-of-life measure: EuroQoL 5D-5L

  Assessment at two time points: M0 - before the start of the intervention; M1 - 12 weeks after the end of the intervention.

• Fatigue Assessment

  Application of the Chalder Fatigue Scale

  Assessment at two time points: M0 - before the start of the intervention; M1 - 12 weeks after the end of the intervention.

Study Arms (1)

Intervention arm

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: Intervention Group

Interventions

Intervention Group BEHAVIORAL

An educational program focused on energy management and developed by the United Kingdom's NICE. The overall aim of the intervention was the empowerment of patients with self-management strategies that could help them to maximize their autonomy, independence and daily activities without exceeding their perceived energy reservoir.

Intervention arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Portuguese-speaking individuals with age of 18 years or older;
• Individuals with official residence in Portugal;
• An official diagnosis of ME/CFS based on the NICE guidelines;
• A Chalder's Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ) score higher than 18 points.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals without official residence in Portugal;
• Patients without a diagnosis of ME/CFS;
• Patients with a diagnosis of ME/CFS whose case definitions used was not known;
• Patients without a diagnosis of ME/CFS who had previously participated in any kind of rehabilitation programme, including pacing therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy or graded-exercise therapy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Escola Superior de Saúde Norte da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa: lead

Study Sites (1)

Escola Superior de Saúde Norte da Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa, Portugal.

Oliveira de Azeméis, Aveiro District, 3720-126, Portugal

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Fatigue

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Muscular Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Encephalomyelitis; Neuroinflammatory Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 6, 2026
• First Posted: January 23, 2026
• Study Start: October 9, 2024
• Primary Completion: February 23, 2025
• Study Completion: March 9, 2025
• Last Updated: January 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

PT (1)