Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is syndrome of unremitting fatigue of at least 6 months' duration that causes significant disability. Exercise therapy has a proven track record in medicine and could be effective for some patients with CFS. An updated Cochrane review of eight studies appeared to suggest that exercise helps fatigue symptoms, but with only a small probability of recovery and/or improvement in daily function. Provisional data on acceptability suggest that most patients are willing to participate. However, one key study (PACE), which was well powered and influential in the Cochrane review, has been met with considerable controversy owing to lack of clarity on outcomes. Following release of the PACE study primary data, re-analysis suggested smaller effect sizes than initially reported.

Baillon et al’s Cochrane review included 430 participants with agitation in dementia from five randomised controlled trials. Overall, the reviewers found that valproate was no better than placebo for the treatment of agitation in people with dementia; however, the quality of the studies included was very variable. Adverse effects and events were higher in the treatment group compared with the controls, although these finding were largely based on low-quality data with incomplete reporting; thus, valproate's safety profile is of concern. This review demonstrates that there is insufficient evidence to change current treatment guidelines.

Young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have impairments in the areas of communication and social interaction and often display repetitive or non-compliant behaviour. This early pattern of difficulties is a challenge for parents. Therefore, approaches that help parents develop strategies for interaction and management of behaviour are an obvious route for early intervention in ASD. This review updates a Cochrane review first published in 2002 but is based on a new protocol.

This commentary questions a Cochrane review that examined whether first-rank symptoms are a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating schizophrenia from other psychotic disorders. It concludes that first-rank symptoms are not particularly accurate in this role, although they might be useful initial screening questions in community surveys or waiting-room screening.

Rates of detected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are currently rising, and there is a need for effective treatments to manage the symptoms. In this commentary I outline the challenges that autism presents to service delivery and consider a Cochrane review that evaluates one of the best-known classes of treatment for ASD, parent-mediated early intervention. I discuss effect size and bias in the interpretation of the review's results, and consider also the rationale for low- and high-intensity intervention at both the individual level and, from a public health perspective, at population level.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a disabling condition resulting from a range of traumas and affecting many people worldwide. This month's Cochrane Corner review systematically searched and reported findings from 66 randomised controlled trials of pharmacotherapy for PTSD, 54 of which were included in a meta-analysis. Evidence was shown for the benefit of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mirtazapine and amitriptyline in treatment response. This Round the Corner commentary critically appraises the review's findings, concluding that the summative evidence was of poor quality owing to the low number of studies, the high risk of bias and significant heterogeneity.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recurrent form of major depression, particularly occurring in the winter months with a generally spontaneous remission in spring/summer. The predictable nature of this condition provides a potentially unique opportunity to prevent recurrence in sufferers of SAD. The Cochrane Review discussed here examines the evidence for melatonin and agomelatine in preventing SAD, putting its findings into their clinical context.

Antipsychotics are commonly prescribed to manage the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) despite their modest efficacy and significant adverse effects. Psychosocial interventions are recommended as the first-line approach in treating BPSD before considering pharmacological options. A Cochrane Review by Lühnen et al (2023) evaluated the effects of psychosocial interventions on reducing antipsychotic prescription in care homes, and found that no generalisable recommendations can be made based on the currently available evidence. This commentary attempts to critically appraise and add context to the review.

The problem of occupational stress in healthcare workers is hardly new, but effective interventions in this area are lacking despite being sorely needed – especially in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The results of a Cochrane review suggest that cognitive–behavioural therapy and mental and physical relaxation reduce stress more than no intervention but not more than alternative interventions, and that changing work schedules may lead to a reduction of stress. Other organisational interventions showed no effect on stress levels. However, the evidence is of low quality owing to risk of bias and lack of precision. This commentary critically appraises the review and attempts to put its findings into the current real-world context.

Violence is a critical challenge for society and it disproportionately affects young people. Violence experienced in an intimate relationship is associated with attempted suicide, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as poorer physical health. Interventions to limit intimate partner violence, especially in adolescents and young people, are a priority. This commentary examines a systematic review and meta-analysis of educational interventions for relationship and dating violence in young people aged 12–25 years. Random-effects meta-analysis revealed a small statistical effect on knowledge, but no statistical associations with reduced violence. None of the included studies assessed health outcomes. The reviewers recommend further investigation of educational interventions in low- and middle-income settings, and studies with longer follow-up.

Given the impact of well-known chronic stressors on health and social care students, the concept of resilience has gained importance in the field of health professional education. Many interventions have been tested that are aimed at fostering students’ resilience, but the underlying evidence has not been rigorously assessed. This was the aim of the review in this issue's Cochrane Corner. In this Round the Corner section, we discuss those findings and put them into further context.

A Cochrane review has compared short-stay hospital admission with long-stay/standard admission of patients with severe mental illness for a number of outcomes in a total 2030 participants from 6 randomised trials. It reached the conclusion, supported by limited evidence, that short admissions in mental health units do not increase the risk of death, readmission or worsening of mental state, and pose less risk of delayed discharge and patient's unemployment. This commentary examines the available evidence from previous studies and discusses its relevance to current practice.