Sirotiak, Zoe, Adamowicz, Jenna L, Thomas, Emily B K · Brain injury · 2026 · DOI
This study found that people with ME/CFS are nearly 5 times more likely to have had a concussion in the past year compared to people without ME/CFS. People with ME/CFS also experienced more falls and dizziness or balance problems. The researchers suggest that doctors should screen patients with ME/CFS more carefully for concussions and take steps to reduce their concussion risk.
This is among the first population-level studies quantifying concussion risk in ME/CFS, a condition characterized by dysautonomia and balance dysfunction that may predispose to head injuries. The findings highlight an underrecognized clinical concern and suggest healthcare providers need improved screening protocols for this vulnerable population. Better understanding of concussion vulnerability in ME/CFS may inform both prevention strategies and post-concussion management approaches.
This study does not establish whether ME/CFS causes concussion risk, nor does it explain the biological mechanism underlying the association—it only demonstrates correlation in a single time period. The cross-sectional design cannot distinguish whether concussions preceded ME/CFS onset or whether ME/CFS-related symptoms increase susceptibility to head injury. Self-reported data means actual concussion rates and symptom severity may differ from reported values.
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
Sirotiak, Zoe, Adamowicz, Jenna L, & Thomas, Emily B K (2026). Understanding concussion in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: Findings from the 2023 National Health Interview study.. Brain injury. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2025.2575479
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-sirotiak-2026-understanding-concussion,
author = {Sirotiak, Zoe and Adamowicz, Jenna L and Thomas, Emily B K},
title = {Understanding concussion in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: Findings from the 2023 National Health Interview study.},
journal = {Brain injury},
year = {2026},
doi = {10.1080/02699052.2025.2575479},
note = {PubMed: 41103060},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/sirotiak-2026-understanding-concussion},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-25. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/sirotiak-2026-understanding-concussion
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