ACT for chronic fatigue syndrome: a case series approach

Acceptance is understood to be an important element in coping and living with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and chronic pain, and increasing acceptance has been related to a number of positive outcomes such as reduced symptoms as well as greater reported quality of life. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a disabling disorder that is associated with poor reported quality of life even in comparison to others chronic conditions. Given that ACT is a psychotherapeutic model aimed at increasing psychological flexibility and values pursuance, the approach holds potential for coping and living with CFS, with interesting implications for service provision and client care. We utilized a six-week guided self-help ACT intervention with six detailed case studies to assess the utility of an ACT self-help intervention for this under-researched population, and whether any therapeutic and physical change is driven by predicted ACT mechanisms. These results are discussed in relation to ACT processes and implications for working with individuals with a diagnosis of CFS