Are the effects of cognitive behavior therapy for severe fatigue in cancer survivors sustained up to 14 years after therapy?

Purpose Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) reduces cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in cancer survivors in the short term. We examined fatigue levels up to 14 years after CBT. Methods Eligible participants of two randomized controlled trials who had completed CBT for CRF and a post-treatment assessment were contacted ( n = 81). Fatigue was assessed with the subscale “fatigue severity” of the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-fatigue). The course of fatigue over time was examined with linear mixed model analyses. Fatigue levels of participants were compared to matched population controls at long-term follow-up. We tested with multiple regression analysis if fatigue at follow-up was predicted by the patients’ fatigue level and fatigue-perpetuating factors directly after CBT (post-CBT). Results Seventy-eight persons completed a follow-up assessment (response rate = 96%, mean time after CBT = 10 years). The mean level of fatigue increased from 23.7 (SD = 11.1) at post-CBT to 34.4 (SD = 12.4) at follow-up ( p