ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

654 studies

101–120 of 654 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Meta-analysis of natural killer cell cytotoxicity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Baraniuk, James N, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya·Frontiers in immunology·2024

Researchers combined results from 28 previous studies to confirm that people with ME/CFS have natural killer (NK) cells—a type of immune cell that fights infections and abnormal cells—that work at about half the strength of healthy people's NK cells. This is one of the most reliable biological differences found in ME/CFS. The analysis confirms this is a real, consistent problem in the condition.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Autoimmune Autonomic Neuropathy: From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis.

Nakane, Shunya, Koike, Haruki, Hayashi, Tomohiro et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2024

This review describes autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG), a rare condition where the immune system attacks nerve cells that control automatic body functions like heart rate and blood pressure. The authors explain how doctors can diagnose AAG and how it differs from other similar conditions, including ME/CFS and long COVID, which can have overlapping symptoms.

Autonomic Nervous SystemDiagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Microglia and Sleep Disorders.

Picard, Katherine, Dolhan, Kira, Watters, Jyoti J et al.·Advances in neurobiology·2024

This review examines how microglia—immune cells in the brain and spinal cord—affect sleep and sleep disorders. The authors discuss how sleep problems and lack of sleep can harm brain health and potentially lead to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. They specifically look at how microglia may be involved in ME/CFS and other sleep disorders, and what happens to these immune cells when people don't get enough sleep.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic inflammatory response syndrome: a review of the evidence of clinical efficacy of treatment.

Dooley, Ming, Vukelic, April, Jim, Lysander·Annals of medicine and surgery (2012)·2024

This review looked at studies about treatments for conditions involving long-term inflammation and fatigue, including ME/CFS. The researchers found that most published studies focused on a treatment approach called the Shoemaker Protocol, which was reported to work better than other treatments tested. However, this review only examined existing published articles rather than conducting new research, so the strength of the evidence depends heavily on the quality of those original studies.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The use and effectiveness of exercise for managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in young adults with joint hypermobility and related conditions: A scoping review.

Peebles, Karen C, Jacobs, Charl, Makaroff, Logan et al.·Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2024

This review looked at 10 studies examining whether exercise helps people with POTS (a condition causing dizziness and fast heart rate when standing) who also have joint hypermobility, chronic fatigue, or fibromyalgia. The research found that 3 months of gradually increasing exercise—starting lying down and progressing to standing—reduced POTS symptoms and improved quality of life. However, very few studies have specifically tested exercise in people with the combination of POTS and joint hypermobility problems.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

The persistence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) after SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dehlia, Ankush, Guthridge, Mark A·The Journal of infection·2024

Researchers looked at studies of people with Long COVID to see how many also meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. They found that about half of Long COVID patients have symptoms that match ME/CFS, including severe fatigue, sleep problems, muscle and joint pain, and post-exertional malaise (feeling much worse after physical activity). This suggests that Long COVID and ME/CFS may be very similar conditions, at least in some patients.

Severe MESleepPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses.

Apostolou, Eirini, Rosén, Anders·Journal of internal medicine·2024

This review examines how viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, may cause lasting changes to how our cells work in ME/CFS patients. The authors found that in about 70% of ME/CFS cases, the illness begins after a viral infection, and viruses can hide in the body while triggering long-term problems with energy, thinking, and immune function. Understanding these viral-triggered changes could help explain why different patients experience ME/CFS differently and may lead to better treatments.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM unclear

NICE guideline on ME/CFS: robust advice based on a thorough review of the evidence.

Barry, Peter Walter, Kelley, Kate, Tan, Toni et al.·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2024

In 2021, NICE (the UK's health guideline organization) published official recommendations for diagnosing and treating ME/CFS based on careful review of available research. When critics raised concerns about how the evidence was interpreted, the guideline authors explained that these criticisms were based on misunderstandings of how the guideline process works. This paper defends the guideline as a balanced and thoughtful approach to managing this serious condition.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Understanding the kynurenine pathway: A narrative review on its impact across chronic pain conditions.

Hazrati, Ebrahim, Eftekhar, Seyed Parsa, Mosaed, Reza et al.·Molecular pain·2024

This review examined how a specific pathway in the body that breaks down the amino acid tryptophan might contribute to chronic pain, including in ME/CFS patients. The review looked at research across various pain conditions and depression, finding that certain chemicals produced along this pathway can either protect or damage nerve cells. The authors suggest that targeting this pathway could lead to new, non-opioid treatments for chronic pain.

NeuroinflammationEnergy Metabolism

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Autoimmunity's enigmatic role: exploring the connection with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Batham, Jacob, Dwyer, Jessica, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·BMC immunology·2024

Researchers reviewed 10 studies to understand whether ME/CFS is caused by autoimmunity—a condition where the immune system attacks the body's own cells. While some signs of autoimmune activity were found in ME/CFS patients, the evidence is mixed and not strong enough to confirm that autoimmunity is the main cause. The authors conclude that ME/CFS is more complex than a straightforward autoimmune disease.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of quantitative EEG findings in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID.

Silva-Passadouro, Bárbara, Tamasauskas, Arnas, Khoja, Omar et al.·Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2024

This study reviewed research on brain wave patterns in three related conditions: fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and Long COVID. Researchers found that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia show different patterns of brain activity when measured using EEG, a test that records electrical activity in the brain. The study suggests these conditions may involve different changes in how the brain functions, which could eventually help doctors identify and treat each condition more specifically.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Functional Somatic Syndromes Are Associated With Varied Postoperative Outcomes and Increased Opioid Use After Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Masood, Raisa, LeRoy, Taryn E, Moverman, Michael A et al.·Global spine journal·2024

This review looked at seven studies involving over 40,000 patients to understand how people with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions fare after spine surgery. The main finding was that patients with fibromyalgia were more likely to use opioid painkillers for longer periods after surgery and reported less improvement in their symptoms compared to those without fibromyalgia. Very little research exists on how other conditions like ME/CFS affect spine surgery outcomes.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Is the effect of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) moderated by the presence of comorbid depressive symptoms? A meta-analysis of three treatment delivery formats.

Kuut, T A, Buffart, L M, Braamse, A M J et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2024

This study looked at whether cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) works differently for ME/CFS patients depending on whether they also have depression. The researchers combined data from six clinical trials with over 1,000 patients and found that for internet-based CBT, patients with depression improved less than those without depression. However, for face-to-face CBT (whether one-on-one or in groups), depression didn't seem to affect how much patients improved.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

[Long COVID - neurological or somatoform disease?].

Tényi, Dalma, Tényi, Tamás, Janszky, József·Ideggyogyaszati szemle·2024

This study reviews research on long COVID to understand what causes its main symptoms like extreme fatigue, pain, and brain fog. Doctors are still debating whether long COVID is primarily a brain/nerve disease, a whole-body illness affecting multiple systems, or a condition where the brain becomes overly sensitive to signals. The researchers found that long COVID shares many similarities with ME/CFS and other hard-to-diagnose conditions, but no single test currently exists to confirm long COVID diagnosis.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Systematic review of fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients: insights from randomized controlled trials.

Park, Jae-Woong, Park, Byung-Jin, Lee, Jin-Seok et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2024

This study looked at 60 previous clinical trials involving over 7,000 ME/CFS patients to understand how severe their fatigue really is. Researchers converted all the different fatigue measurements used in these trials into a common scale (0-100) so they could compare results. They found that ME/CFS patients experience very high fatigue levels (around 78 out of 100), affecting their thinking, physical abilities, and mood in different ways.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEvidence-Map

Healthcare system barriers impacting the care of Canadians with myalgic encephalomyelitis: A scoping review.

Hussein, Said, Eiriksson, Lauren, MacQuarrie, Maureen et al.·Journal of evaluation in clinical practice·2024

This study looked at all available Canadian research to understand why people with ME/CFS struggle to get good healthcare. The researchers found that the main problems are: doctors often don't believe ME is real, healthcare providers aren't trained to recognize it, there's a lack of good information about the disease, and sexism plays a role. The study suggests that improving doctor education and creating better care systems could help ME patients get the support they need.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Long COVID in pediatrics-epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Toepfner, Nicole, Brinkmann, Folke, Augustin, Silvia et al.·European journal of pediatrics·2024

This review looked at what we know about Long COVID in children and teenagers after COVID-19 infection. Most young people recover within a few months, but some experience long-lasting symptoms like fatigue, difficulty with exercise, and anxiety that can last over a year and affect daily life. The review found that a small number of these children meet the criteria for ME/CFS, but currently there are no blood tests or scans to confirm Long COVID, making it difficult to diagnose.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Markwart, Michaela, Felsenstein, Donna, Mehta, Darshan H et al.·Global advances in integrative medicine and health·2024

This review looked at studies testing whether Qigong (a gentle Chinese exercise practice) might help people with ME/CFS. Researchers found 5 good-quality studies with a total of 481 people. The results suggest Qigong may help reduce symptom severity and improve both physical and emotional well-being, though more research is needed to be sure. Currently, there are no similar high-quality studies on Tai Chi for ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Clinical evidence of the link between gut microbiome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective review.

Wang, Jing-Hua, Choi, Yujin, Lee, Jin-Seok et al.·European journal of medical research·2024

Researchers reviewed 11 studies comparing gut bacteria in ME/CFS patients to healthy people. They found that people with ME/CFS have fewer types of bacteria and different bacterial communities in their guts compared to healthy controls. Additionally, ME/CFS patients produce lower levels of certain beneficial bacterial byproducts that are normally important for health.

Gut Microbiome

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Epigenetic changes in patients with post-acute COVID-19 symptoms (PACS) and long-COVID: A systematic review.

Shekhar Patil, Madhura, Richter, Emma, Fanning, Lara et al.·Expert reviews in molecular medicine·2024

This review examined research on how long-COVID changes the way genes are turned on and off in the body—a process called epigenetics. Researchers found that these changes may affect the immune system, nervous system, and how cells use energy. While the findings are interesting and promise better treatments in the future, current research is still limited in size and quality.

Immune System

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Meta-analysis of natural killer cell cytotoxicity in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Autoimmune Autonomic Neuropathy: From Pathogenesis to Diagnosis.

Microglia and Sleep Disorders.

Chronic inflammatory response syndrome: a review of the evidence of clinical efficacy of treatment.

The use and effectiveness of exercise for managing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in young adults with joint hypermobility and related conditions: A scoping review.

The persistence of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) after SARS-CoV-2 infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses.

NICE guideline on ME/CFS: robust advice based on a thorough review of the evidence.

Understanding the kynurenine pathway: A narrative review on its impact across chronic pain conditions.

Autoimmunity's enigmatic role: exploring the connection with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

A systematic review of quantitative EEG findings in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID.

Functional Somatic Syndromes Are Associated With Varied Postoperative Outcomes and Increased Opioid Use After Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Is the effect of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) moderated by the presence of comorbid depressive symptoms? A meta-analysis of three treatment delivery formats.

[Long COVID - neurological or somatoform disease?].

Systematic review of fatigue severity in ME/CFS patients: insights from randomized controlled trials.

Healthcare system barriers impacting the care of Canadians with myalgic encephalomyelitis: A scoping review.

Long COVID in pediatrics-epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Clinical evidence of the link between gut microbiome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a retrospective review.

Epigenetic changes in patients with post-acute COVID-19 symptoms (PACS) and long-COVID: A systematic review.

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