Ash-Bernal, R, Wall, C, Komaroff, A L et al. · Acta oto-laryngologica · 1995 · DOI
Many people with ME/CFS experience dizziness and balance problems, but doctors weren't sure where these problems originated in the body. This study tested the balance and inner ear function of 11 ME/CFS patients using specialized equipment and found several abnormalities—particularly difficulty with tests that rely heavily on the inner ear and brain working together. The pattern of results suggested the problem may be in how the brain processes balance signals rather than damage to the inner ear itself.
Balance dysfunction is a common but poorly understood symptom in ME/CFS. This study provides objective evidence that balance problems in ME/CFS may originate from how the central nervous system processes balance information, which could direct future research and clinical assessment strategies.
This study does not establish the cause of the observed vestibular abnormalities, nor does it prove these findings are unique to ME/CFS or universal across all patients with the condition. The small sample size and lack of comparison controls limit the ability to draw firm conclusions about disease mechanisms.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Ash-Bernal, R, Wall, C, Komaroff, A L, Bell, D, Oas, J G, Payman, R N, et al. (1995). Vestibular function test anomalies in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.. Acta oto-laryngologica. https://doi.org/10.3109/00016489509133339
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-ash-bernal-1995-vestibular-function,
author = {Ash-Bernal, R and Wall, C and Komaroff, A L and Bell, D and Oas, J G and Payman, R N and Fagioli, L R},
title = {Vestibular function test anomalies in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Acta oto-laryngologica},
year = {1995},
doi = {10.3109/00016489509133339},
note = {PubMed: 7762393},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/ash-bernal-1995-vestibular-function},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-29. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/ash-bernal-1995-vestibular-function
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