on the psychosomatic hypotheses of a relatively small group of well
funded psychiatrists, other psychiatrists and psychologists in the
field view ME and CFS as an organic disease and focus on interventions
that may assist patients meeting stricter criteria manage those
aspects of their illness over which the patient has control.
Behavioral interventions are helpful in a number of major medical
diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease - although not
curative. Dr. Friedberg criticized the PACE Trial saying that activity
and exercise recommendations must be based on a thorough evaluation
and a sensitive individualized approach.
Studies such as these may provide information on ME and CFS of which
other psychiatrists may not be aware.
Stony Brook Professor Receives NIH Grant for Chronic Fatigue Management Pro=
gram
The Program Involves Stress Reduction Techniques, Social Support
STONY BROOK, N.Y., October 17, 2011 =96 Fred Friedberg, Ph.D., Research
Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist in the Department of
Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University School of
Medicine, through the State University of New York Research
Foundation, received a $600,000 grant from the National Institutes of
Health (NIH) to continue testing a home-based self management program
for people with chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
The NIH grant runs for two years, effective until the end of August
2013. In 2008, Dr. Friedberg, Principal Investigator, received an
initial one-year $100,000 NIH grant to launch the home-based self
management program for chronic fatigue and CFS patients, with the
expectation to learn how to help patients more effectively manage
their conditions.
=93There are no effective and established medical treatments for these
illnesses, and the behavioral program is intended to help patients
function and feel better,=94 says Dr. Friedberg, pointing out that the
causes of chronic fatigue and CFS are still unknown.
CFS remains a controversial illness. Yet, the NIH and Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have designated CFS as an
important public health issue and recognize the need to better define,
diagnose and treat the illness.
=93Cognitive-behavioral treatment, a type of stress management training
combined with low level exercise, has shown promise to help people
with CFS cope better and lessen illness severity,=94 explains Dr.
Friedberg. =93This ongoing study tests a home-based version of
cognitive-behavioral treatment that is based on a self-help model of
illness management. We also want to see if this type of intervention
saves health care costs, an important issue because of the ever
increasing expenditures for health care.=94
The self-help program involves lifestyle change and stress reduction
techniques, including graduated exercise, relaxation, pacing
techniques, cognitive coping skills, low effort pleasant activities,
and social support. All of the treatment components, individually and
in combination, may help patients with CFS.
Recruitment of additional patients, who must be fatigued for at least
six months, will begin in November. The Department of Psychiatry and
Behavioral Science will spearhead the analysis of the study=92s entire
findings.
For individuals interested in the study and participating, please call
Dr. Friedberg at 631-632-8252.
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