Solution focused therapy: A promising new tool in the management of fatigue in Crohn's disease patients Psychological interventions for the management of fatigue in Crohn's disease

Lauran Vogelaar, Adriaan Spijker, T Vogelaar, Jan van Busschbach, Martijn Visser, Ernst Kuipers, C.J. van der Woude

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Abstract

Background: Crohn's disease patients have a decreased Quality of Life (QoL) which is in part due to extreme fatigue. In a pilot study we prospectively assessed the feasibility and effect of psychological interventions in the management of fatigue. Methods: Patients with quiescent Crohn's disease and a high fatigue score according to the Checklist Individual Strength were randomized to Problem Solving Therapy (PST), Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) or to a control group (treatment as usual, TAU). Patients completed the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, the EuroQol-5D, and the Trimbos questionnaire for Costs. Results: Twenty-nine patients were included (12 TAU, 9 PST, 8 SFT), of these 72% were female, mean age was 31 years (range 20-50). The SFT group improved on the fatigue scale in 85.7% of the patients, in the PST group 60% showed improved fatigue scores and in the TAU group 45.5%. Although not significant, in both intervention groups the QoL increased. Medical costs lowered in 57.1% of the patients in the SFT group, in the TAU 45.5% and the in PST group 20%. The drop out rate was highest in the PST group (44%; SFT 12.5%; TAU 8.3%). Conclusions: PST and SFT both positively affect the fatigue and QoL scores in patients with Crohn's disease. SFT seems most feasible with fewer dropouts and is therefore a promising new tool in the management of fatigue in Crohn's disease patients. (C) 2011 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)585-591
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Crohn's and Colitis
Volume5
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011

Research programs

  • EMC MM-04-20-01

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