PACE-GATE: An alternative view on a study with a poor trial protocol

Abstract

The controversies surrounding the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome are explained using Cohen’s d effect sizes rather than arbitrary thresholds for ‘success’. This article shows that the treatment effects vanish when switching to objective outcomes. The preference for subjective outcomes by the PACE trial team leads to false hope. This article provides a more realistic view, which will help patients and their doctors to evaluate the pros and cons.

Keywords

chronic fatigue syndrome cognitive behaviour therapy effectiveness graded exercise therapy randomized controlled trial treatment

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