§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome his Department(a) is conducting and (b) has commissioned since 1997. [184515]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe main agency through which the Government support medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology.
The MRC is currently funding two complementary trials into various treatments options for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) that aim to improve quality of life for those who are ill. The Department is meeting part of the cost of the trials. Patient recruitment will start later this year.
The first trial is known as pacing, activity and cognitive behaviour therapy: a randomised evaluation (PACE). PACE will be led by Dr. Peter White at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London, Dr. Michael Sharpe of the University of Edinburgh and Dr. Trudie Chalder of King's College London
The second trial, known as fatigue intervention by nurses evaluation (FINE), will test two different treatments that are particularly suited to those who are too ill to attend a specialist clinic. FINE will be headed by Dr. Alison Wearden at the University of Manchester.
The MRC also funded a research project: "The role of Noradrenaline in the Neuropsychological Pathogenesis of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", which was completed in 1998.
The Department has separately over the last seven years commissioned a number of small scale research projects related to aspects of CFS[...]ME and, through the national health service research and development programme, is funding: "Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomised Controlled Trial of an Out-patient Group Programme."