Table 1.

Joint display of quantitative fatigue severity data and themes identified from qualitative data along with illustrative quotations

Subject	Mean diff. AB (SD)	No. of CBT sessions	Themes	Illustrative quotations
1	− 6.72 (5.14)	13	Improved coping with fatigue Reduced fatigue-related disability Improved quality of life	Now that I have more control over my energy levels, I also feel more confident to take on different tasks and activities I have been able to improve my daily routine. Before, I would stay in bed every day until 10am, and I thought I needed it. I am now able to get up at 7:30am and go to bed at 10:30 pm. During the hours in between, I have become much more productive. It is great to be able to experience the entire morning instead of starting my day around lunch time My efficiency is higher and, with that, my quality of life is also better. I know much better what I can and can’t do. I feel a bit more comfortable in my own skin
2	− 0.91 (6.89)	7	Improved coping with fatigue Reduced fatigue-related disability	The most important thing for me, that will have the biggest impact on me, is, I think, just the acceptance It was really helpful to create a daily routine and put structure into my life
3	− 3.89 (2.83)	11	Improved coping with fatigue Reduced fatigue-related disability Improved quality of life	The fatigue is still present. But you can learn how to cope with it differently. I have learned to cope with it much better. (..) When I look at myself in the mirror, I am thinking: I don’t see a man who is always preoccupied with being fatigued anymore. I have the space to be busy with other things Before I started this intervention, I went to bed every afternoon to rest. After work, I went to bed to rest. Now, I never go to bed in the afternoon anymore. I just live from 7am until 11 pm. So, I have more time during the day to undertake several activities I have learned to give more and enjoy the things in life more, the things that are most important to me. And because of that, it also improves quality of life, I think
4	− 3.24 (3.83)	6	Improved coping with fatigue Reduced fatigue-related disability Improved quality of life	I am better able to cope with the fatigue. Well, not at present because of my [unrelated medical issue], but before I could do much more during the day and that for several days in a row. Before the intervention I could push through for three days and then I would crash for a day I am better at dosing out my activities. I think I can do more because I no longer do all my activities one after the other The fatigue is an issue. It can make life more pleasant when you suffer less from fatigue. (..) The opportunities I have, the things I can do, those have increased. As in I actually can do that, I am living more. I have more life