PACE team response shows a disregard for the principles of science. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Edwards, Jonathan
• Is Part Of: Journal of health psychology. Volume 22:Number 9(2017)
• Page Start: 1155
• Page End: 1158
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: chronic fatigue syndrome -- cognitive behaviour therapy -- methodology -- PACE trial -- reliability; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105317700886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-1053

Abstract

The PACE trial of cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis has raised serious questions about research methodology. An editorial article by Geraghty gives a fair account of the problems involved, if anything understating the case. The response by White et al. fails to address the key design flaw, of an unblinded study with subjective outcome measures, apparently demonstrating a lack of understanding of basic trial design requirements. The failure of the academic community to recognise the weakness of trials of this type suggests that a major overhaul of quality control is needed.