Customizing Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: The Role of Perpetuating Factors

BackgroundSyndromes characterized by chronic, medically unexplained fatigue, effort- and stress-intolerance, and widespread pain are highly prevalent in medicine.ResultsIn chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM), various perpetuating factors may impair patients’ quality of life and functioning and impede recovery. Although cognitive-behavioral and graded-exercise therapy are evidence-based treatments, the effectiveness and acceptability of therapeutic interventions in CFS/FM may largely depend on a customized approach taking the heterogeneity of perpetuating factors into account.ConclusionFurther research should clarify the aim and outcome of different treatment strategies in CFS/FM, as well as the underlying mechanisms of change, including those facilitating neurobiological recovery.