Written question asked by Martin Caton (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 17 November 2000. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Friday, 17 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent research his Department has commissioned into the causes and treatment of myalgic encephalomylitis.

Answer: Mr. Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has commissioned into the causes and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis. [138168] Mr. Denham: The most recent project commissioned by the Department is a systematic review to determine the clinical effectiveness of treatments and interventions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. The review was commissioned for a working group which is looking at the efficacy of available treatments and interventions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). The results of this review will inform the final report produced by the CFS/ME Working Group. In addition the National Health Service Health Technology Assessment Programme has recently commissioned a study on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Secondary information