Chronic fatigue syndrome advice scraps exercise therapy

A health watchdog has scrapped a previous recommendation of graded exercise therapy for ME.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a long-awaited and contentious final update to guidance on treatment.

Many patients with ME or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) say the therapy, which encourages patients to slowly increase their levels of activity, makes their condition worse.

The advice was due out in August, but NICE pulled the publication at the last minute.

At that time, NICE said the delay was necessary to allow more conversations with patient groups and professionals, so that its advice would be supported.

There are strong and varied views on how the illness should be best managed.

The updated guidance for England and Wales recommends people judge their own "energy limit" when undertaking activity of any kind, and a physical activity programme should only be considered in specific circumstances.

It warns practitioners: "Do not advise people with ME/CFS to undertake exercise that is not part of a programme overseen by an ME/CFS specialist team, such as telling them to go to the gym or exercise more, because this may worsen their symptoms."

It also clarifies advice on a talking therapy, known as CBT, stressing that it is only helpful in treating anxiety around the condition, not the illness itself.

And it emphasises the need for early and accurate diagnosis.

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Source: BBC News, 29 October 2021