Evidence browser

Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.

Boruch, Alex, Branchaw, Grace, O'Connor, Patrick J et al.·Current topics in behavioral neurosciences·2024

This review examined how physical activity affects fatigue in people with ME/CFS and similar long-term illnesses, compared to healthy people. In healthy adults, exercise usually makes people feel more energized, but in people with ME/CFS and related conditions, exercise often makes fatigue worse. Short-term exercise programs show small improvements in fatigue for healthy people, but little to no improvement for those with these chronic illnesses.

[Multimodal Treatment Strategies for Homebound Patients with Severe ME/CFS: A Scoping Review].

Mayer-Huber, Sandra, Kircher, Alissa, Eberhartinger, Maria et al.·Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))·2024

This review looked at 14 published studies about ways to treat people with severe ME/CFS who are homebound or bedbound. The researchers found that the most helpful approaches were either home visits from healthcare providers or telemedicine (video/phone appointments). The studies highlighted that treatment works best when it's flexible, tailored to each person's daily needs, and includes family members in the care plan.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Brain-regional characteristics and neuroinflammation in ME/CFS patients from neuroimaging: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Lee, Jin-Seok, Sato, Wakiro, Son, Chang-Gue·Autoimmunity reviews·2024

Researchers combined results from 65 brain imaging studies involving over 1,500 ME/CFS patients to look for signs of inflammation in the brain. They used four different types of brain scans and found that specific brain regions—particularly the insular and thalamic regions that help process emotions and manage body functions—showed reduced activity in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. These findings suggest that problems in how these brain regions communicate may help explain why ME/CFS causes fatigue and other characteristic symptoms.

Neuroinflammation

L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Manifestations: A Systematic Review.

Wang, Wenbo, Pan, Da, Liu, Qi et al.·Nutrients·2024

Researchers reviewed 60 studies about whether L-carnitine, a natural supplement, might help with nervous system and mental health problems. They found it showed promise for some conditions like stroke and Alzheimer's disease, but had limited effectiveness for others including chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and ALS. This review summarizes what we currently know about L-carnitine's potential benefits and limitations across different neurological conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredGuideline

Celiac Disease-Related Conditions: Who to Test?

Zingone, Fabiana, Bai, Julio C, Cellier, Christophe et al.·Gastroenterology·2024

This review looked at which patients should be tested for celiac disease, a condition where the immune system reacts to gluten in food. The authors found that celiac disease is often missed and recommend testing in people with certain autoimmune diseases, digestive problems, thyroid disease, and other specific conditions—including chronic fatigue syndrome. They suggest blood tests first, with biopsies during endoscopy if needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

The effect of massage on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Li, Jingnan, Piao, Feng, Zeng, Qiaoqiao et al.·Medicine·2024

Researchers reviewed 32 studies involving nearly 2,600 ME/CFS patients to see if massage therapy helps reduce fatigue. They found that massage significantly improved fatigue scores on standardized tests, with patients in the massage group showing better results than control groups. Massage appeared safe, with very few adverse effects reported.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclear

Blood virome research in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: challenges and opportunities.

Obraitis, Dominic, Li, Dawei·Current opinion in virology·2024

This review examines whether viruses trigger myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Scientists have found that some ME/CFS cases may start after viral infections, and blood tests can detect viral genetic material in patients. The review highlights that while viruses are a suspected cause, no single virus has been found in all ME/CFS patients, and researchers need better tools to understand these complex viral patterns.

Long COVID Overlap

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

Advancing Research and Treatment: An Overview of Clinical Trials in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Future Perspectives.

Seton, Katharine A, Espejo-Oltra, José A, Giménez-Orenga, Karen et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

This review examined research studies testing various treatments for ME/CFS, including medications and supplements that target different aspects of the illness like immune function, metabolism, and gut health. The authors found that current treatments mainly manage symptoms rather than address the root causes, with very few patients recovering fully. They emphasize that better-designed clinical trials are urgently needed to find treatments that actually work and can be used in real-world medical practice.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

Recent Research Trends in Neuroinflammatory and Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Cohen, Jessica, Mathew, Annette, Dourvetakis, Kirk D et al.·Cells·2024

This review examines how inflammation in the brain and nervous system contributes to several chronic diseases, including ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness. The authors discuss how immune cells and inflammatory molecules can damage the brain and cause persistent symptoms. They highlight promising new laboratory techniques using human stem cells to create brain cells for testing potential treatments.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Ear abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), Coronavirus-19 infectious disease (COVID) and long-COVID syndrome (PCS), sick-building syndrome (SBS), post-orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS), and autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA): A systematic review.

Skare, Thelma L, de Carvalho, Jozélio Freire, de Medeiros, Italo Roberto Torres et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2024

This review examined hearing and balance problems (including hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo) reported across multiple conditions including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and long COVID. Researchers searched medical literature from 1990 to 2024 and found that while hearing problems are common, balance problems are less frequently reported. The study suggests these symptoms may stem from immune system dysfunction affecting the inner ear.

Immune System

Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children.

Rao, Suchitra, Gross, Rachel S, Mohandas, Sindhu et al.·Pediatrics·2024

Some children who have COVID-19 experience symptoms that last for weeks or months after the initial infection—a condition called long COVID. This review summarizes what we currently know about long COVID in children, including how common it is, what symptoms children experience, and what might cause it. The authors also describe major research efforts being funded to better understand long COVID in young people and find effective treatments.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Direction.

Graves, B Sue, Patel, Mitsu, Newgent, Hailey et al.·Cureus·2024

ME/CFS is a serious illness that causes extreme tiredness that doesn't improve with rest and often gets worse with activity. People with ME/CFS also struggle with brain fog, pain, sleep problems, and immune system issues. Right now, doctors don't have a simple blood test or scan to diagnose ME/CFS, which makes it hard to identify and treat the condition properly.

BiomarkersImmune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

[Interdisciplinary, collaborative D-A-CH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) consensus statement concerning the diagnostic and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome].

Hoffmann, Kathryn, Hainzl, Astrid, Stingl, Michael et al.·Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·2024

This is a clinical guidance document created by doctors and experts from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to help diagnose and treat ME/CFS. The document emphasizes that ME/CFS is a serious, long-term illness affecting multiple body systems, and highlights post-exertional malaise (PEM)—where symptoms worsen after physical or mental effort—as the key symptom to recognize. The guide provides doctors with practical tools like questionnaires and examination methods to accurately diagnose ME/CFS, and describes two main treatment approaches: pacing (carefully managing activity levels) and symptom relief.

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

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

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-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Its Impact on Adolescents and Young Adults.

Broussard, Camille A, Azola, Alba, Rowe, Peter C·Pediatric clinics of North America·2024

This review examines long-term COVID symptoms that persist in teenagers and young adults after initial infection, sometimes called 'long COVID' or PASC. The researchers looked at how these symptoms present differently in younger people, discussed ways doctors can assess and treat these patients, and highlighted the importance of fair and equitable care for all affected young people.

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