Cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative review on efficacy and informed consent.
Geraghty, Keith J, Blease, Charlotte·Journal of health psychology·2018
This review looked at whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy focused on thoughts and behaviors—actually helps ME/CFS patients. The researchers found that CBT may help some people feel less tired in the short term, but there's little proof it works long-term or improves physical abilities. Importantly, CBT can sometimes make people feel worse if it's not done carefully, and much of any improvement might come from the therapist's skill or placebo effect rather than the therapy itself.