[Multimodal Treatment Strategies for Homebound Patients with Severe ME/CFS: A Scoping Review]

Area of Science:

• Medical Social Sciences
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Context:

• Homebound patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) face unique challenges in accessing treatment.
• Traditional drug-based approaches may be insufficient for severely affected individuals.
• There is a need to explore non-pharmacological, multimodal strategies suitable for home-based care.

Purpose:

• To conduct a scoping review of multimodal treatment strategies for homebound ME/CFS patients.
• To analyze the role of telemedicine and home-based interventions.
• To discuss the evaluation and assessment methods employed in existing studies.

Summary:

• A scoping review of 14 publications identified home visits and telemedicine as primary treatment modalities for homebound ME/CFS patients.
• Key factors for successful treatment include individualization, flexibility, and addressing daily fluctuations in impairment.
• Involvement of family members was noted in several studies, highlighting its supportive role.

Impact:

• This review underscores the limited research on multimodal treatments for severely affected ME/CFS patients.
• Findings suggest that home-based and telemedicine approaches, tailored to individual needs, are viable options.
• The study highlights the importance of considering the specific challenges and needs of this patient population in future research and clinical practice.