By David Tuller, DrPH. On June 17th, Cochrane announced that it had received a revision of a much-contested review of exercise therapy for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (as the organization has long called the illness or cluster of illnesses also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis, CFS/ME, and ME/CFS). In a posted statement, Cochrane noted that “the […]
Cochrane
Trial By Error: My Norwegian Interview
By David Tuller, DrPH In addition to giving a couple of talks in Norway, I also answered some questions from Trude Schei, assistant Secretary General of the Norwegian ME Association. I doubt I said anything I haven’t stated many times before. However, members of the GET/CBT ideological brigades–in Norway and elsewhere–continue to maintain […]
Trial By Error: Some Good News On Cochrane
By David Tuller, DrPH. In what can only be characterized as a welcome surprise, Cochrane has rejected the revision of a 2014 review of exercise treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome, stating that the work does not meet the organization’s “quality standards.” Cochrane revealed the decision late Friday in a statement appended to the review, which itself […]
GET Paper Withdrawal Shocks CBT/GET Proponents – Emboldens ME/CFS Advocates
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. Our mission is to promote evidence-informed health decision-making by producing high-quality, relevant, accessible systematic reviews and other synthesized research evidence. Our work is internationally recognized as the benchmark for high-quality information about the effectiveness of health care. Cochrane The Cochrane Reviews are the gold standard – highly respected and […]
Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review
By Mark Vink and Alexandra Vink-Niese in Health Psychology Open. Abstract The analysis of the 2017 Cochrane review reveals flaws, which means that contrary to its findings, there is no evidence that graded exercise therapy is effective. Because of the failure to report harms adequately in the trials covered by the review, it cannot […]
Forty-One International Scientists Have Signed A Declaration Supporting Cochrane’s Decision To Withdraw Its Controversial Review Of Exercise Therapy In ME/CFS
From Not The Science Bit. And I’m one of them. This is important not least because of claims appearing over the weekend that Cochrane pulled its controversial review due to pressure from brain-addled trouble-making “patient activitists,” rather than for scientific reasons. Claims that Cochrane had been harassed were made not by Cochrane themselves, but, […]
A Statement In Support Of Cochrane
From the Virology Blog. Cochrane has decided to temporarily withdraw a review of exercise therapies for the illness variously known as ME, CFS, ME/CFS and CFS/ME. The review reported that exercise therapy is effective in treating the illness—a finding that has provided unwarranted support for recommendations that patients should undergo the intervention known as […]
GET Paper Withdrawal Shocks CBT/GET Proponents – Emboldens ME/CFS Advocates
By Cort Johnson in Health Rising. Our mission is to promote evidence-informed health decision-making by producing high-quality, relevant, accessible systematic reviews and other synthesized research evidence. Our work is internationally recognized as the benchmark for high-quality information about the effectiveness of health care. Cochrane The Cochrane Reviews are the gold standard – highly respected and […]
Exclusive: Science Journal To Withdraw Chronic Fatigue Review Amid Patient Activist Complaints
By Kate Kelland in Reuters. LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) – A respected science journal is to withdraw a much-cited review of evidence on an illness known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) amid fierce criticism and pressure from activists and patients. The decision, described by the scientists involved as “disproportionate and poorly justified”, is being […]
Trial By Error: The Cochrane Controversy
By David Tuller, DrPH. Cochrane–formerly called the Cochrane Collaboration–is respected worldwide for its systematic reviews of medical treatments. These reviews are often cited as the definitive source of information about treatment efficacy and safety. In taking on the thankless task of assessing the data on commonly used interventions, Cochrane performs an invaluable public […]
Fool’s Gold: What Fish Oil Is Doing To Our Health And The Planet
By Paul Greenberg in The Guardian. Omega-3 is one of our favourite supplements – but a huge new study has found it has little or no benefit for heart health or strokes. How did it become a $30 bn business? The omega-3 industry is in a twist. Again. Last week, Cochrane, an organisation that compiles […]