Summary of the impact

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder of unknown cause affecting 1% of people. Studies by Queen Mary researchers between 1993 and 2012 helped to characterise and demystify CFS and, in a series of randomised trials, showed that graded exercise therapy (GET) was effective and cost-effective, especially when costs to the patient and society were included. For impacts, GET was [a] recommended in NICE guidance; [b] offered as standard therapy in most UK centres managing CFS; [c] recommended and used internationally. The lead researchers have worked hard to build a dialogue with patient groups, including working with them to co-design the most recent trial, thereby increasing the chance of acceptance of findings by people affected by CFS.

Summary of the impact

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS (also known as CFS/ME) affects two percent of the population. Michael Sharpe and colleagues in Oxford developed a cognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) for CFS. In 1996 they published the first randomised controlled trial finding that CBT was substantially more effective than standard care, with patients three times more likely to improve. This was the first treatment ever to be shown to be effective for CFS in a clinical trial. The finding was subsequently confirmed in other trials. Sharpe's research has benefitted people with CFS by: [a] challenging the prevailing view of the illness as untreatable, [b] informing current NICE treatment guidance, [c] providing the leading evidence-based treatment. In England alone, the treatment is implemented in 46 NHS specialist CFS centres, to over 7000 patients per year.

Summary of the impact

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterised by prolonged and profound fatigue. The prevalence of CFS is between 0.2% and 2.6% worldwide. Researchers from King's College London (KCL) have shown that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Graded Exercise Therapy can improve the symptoms and disability of CFS. This evidence led to both therapies being recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the British Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME and becoming standard practice in the UK. These treatments, backed by the KCL studies, are also recommended worldwide including in the United States, Australia and Norway.

Summary of the impact

A freely available, open access, decision-training web technology, for occupational therapists in community mental health services, has been developed and adopted internationally in professional training and practice. This decision-training aid, approved and advocated by the College of Occupational Therapy, has been extensively used in the UK and has commenced application internationally. NHS practice policies have been enhanced through their adoption of the research findings, facilitating service providers to target the most needy and improving the quality and efficiency of this profession's service. Increased workforce capacity has been demonstrated through the improved referral prioritisation skills of novice occupational therapists from numerous NHS Trusts and 27 pre-registration training programmes.

Summary of the impact

With one in five of the adult population in the UK living with arthritis, self-management education is a key approach used by occupational therapists (OTs) to support people with arthritis. University of Salford research has improved the tools available to OTs to deliver more effective self-management education, demonstrating the following impact:

• Improving patients' quality of life through supporting them in:
• Managing their pain and fatigue;
• Improving their psychological resilience;
• Remaining in work and engaged in leisure activities.
• Supporting occupational therapists to deliver effective self-management services;
• Developing evidence informed policy and strategy focused on improving the availability of self management services for people with arthritis.