ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

654 studies

181–200 of 654 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Fatigue in Adults: Evaluation and Management.

Latimer, Kelly M, Gunther, Althea, Kopec, Michael·American family physician·2023

Fatigue is a very common reason people visit their doctors, and it can significantly impact daily life and work safety. This guideline explains that fatigue can come from different causes—normal tiredness that improves with rest and better habits, fatigue from other medical conditions, or chronic fatigue like ME/CFS. ME/CFS is a serious, long-lasting illness with no proven cure that causes a symptom called postexertional malaise, where activity makes symptoms worse, so patients need to carefully manage their energy levels.

Long COVID OverlapPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.

Möller, Marika, Borg, Kristian, Janson, Christer et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2023

Many people experience brain fog and memory problems long after COVID-19 infection, affecting thinking, attention, and processing speed. This review found that 17–28% of people have these cognitive problems more than 3 months after infection, and some experience them for years. Treatment approaches include cognitive training, memory aids, lifestyle adjustments, and education about managing these symptoms.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Effects of traditional Chinese exercise on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Liu, Haoyu, Liu, Siling, Xiong, Lu et al.·Medicine·2023

This review examined whether traditional Chinese exercises like Tai Chi and Qigong can help improve sleep quality. Researchers analyzed 20 studies and found that these exercises did help people sleep better, especially those with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue-like illness, and insomnia. However, the benefit wasn't seen in all groups studied, such as stroke patients or college students.

Sleep

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Evaluation of viral infection as an etiology of ME/CFS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hwang, Jae-Hyun, Lee, Jin-Seok, Oh, Hyeon-Muk et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers analyzed 64 studies involving nearly 5,000 ME/CFS patients to see if viral infections might cause or trigger the illness. They found that certain viruses—particularly Borna disease virus, human herpesvirus-7, parvovirus B19, enterovirus, and Coxsackie B virus—appeared more frequently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people and those with other diseases. While these associations are promising leads, finding a virus more often in patients doesn't prove it causes ME/CFS.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Application and development of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases: A review.

Mahmoudi, Hassan, Hossainpour, Hadi·Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association·2023

This review examines how fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—transferring healthy bacteria from a donor's stool to a patient's gut—can treat various diseases. While FMT is very effective for serious C. difficile infections, researchers are exploring whether it might help other conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome by restoring a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

Joseph, Phillip, Singh, Inderjit, Oliveira, Rudolf et al.·Chest·2023

This review compares how the body responds to exercise in people with long COVID (PASC) and ME/CFS, two conditions that share similar symptoms like extreme tiredness and worsening symptoms after activity. Researchers found that both conditions show similar abnormalities in heart function, blood flow, and breathing during exercise that go beyond simple deconditioning or being out of shape. These shared patterns suggest both conditions may involve similar underlying biological problems, which could help doctors develop better tests and treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Diagnosis and Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Grach, Stephanie L, Seltzer, Jaime, Chon, Tony Y et al.·Mayo Clinic proceedings·2023

This review explains how doctors can diagnose and manage ME/CFS, a serious illness that causes extreme tiredness and other symptoms, often starting after an infection. The authors note that ME/CFS shares many similarities with long COVID, the condition some people experience after having COVID-19. They provide practical guidance to help healthcare providers recognize and treat this condition.

Long COVID OverlapPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The microbiome in post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS).

Guo, Cheng, Yi, Boyang, Wu, Jianyong et al.·Computational and structural biotechnology journal·2023

This review examined how the bacteria and other microorganisms living in our bodies—particularly in the gut and mouth—may be altered in patients with prolonged illnesses following infections, including ME/CFS and long COVID. The researchers looked at existing studies to understand whether changes in these microbial communities might contribute to why some people develop long-lasting symptoms after being sick. They explored possible explanations for how these microbial changes could trigger or worsen symptoms in post-infection syndromes.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection, EBV, HHV-6 and Other Factors May Contribute to Inflammation and Autoimmunity in Long COVID.

Vojdani, Aristo, Vojdani, Elroy, Saidara, Evan et al.·Viruses·2023

This review examines how long COVID—a condition where symptoms persist months after a coronavirus infection—may develop through similar mechanisms to ME/CFS. The authors suggest that viral persistence, reactivation of old herpes viruses (like Epstein-Barr virus), immune system dysfunction, and gut microbiome changes may all contribute to ongoing inflammation and autoimmune problems. They propose testing for antibodies and other markers to better identify and treat long COVID.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune SystemLong COVID Overlap

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

DNA Methylation Signatures of Functional Somatic Syndromes: Systematic Review.

Fischer, Susanne, Kleinstäuber, Maria, Fiori, Laura M et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2023

This review looked at research on DNA changes in people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Scientists found that people with these conditions have different patterns of chemical switches on their genes compared to healthy people, particularly in genes that control immune function and stress response. These differences may help explain why people with ME/CFS experience fatigue, pain, and other symptoms.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

Understanding, diagnosing, and treating Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - State of the art: Report of the 2nd international meeting at the Charité Fatigue Center.

Steiner, Sophie, Fehrer, Annick, Hoheisel, Friederike et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2023

Over 100 international researchers gathered in Berlin in May 2023 to discuss what we currently know about ME/CFS, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. The conference highlighted that ME/CFS involves problems with the immune system, blood vessel function, and nervous system control, and that some cases may be triggered by viruses reactivating in the body. Despite growing interest due to Long COVID, ME/CFS remains under-researched and needs significantly more funding to find better diagnostic tests and targeted treatments.

Autonomic Nervous SystemImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclear

No Causal Effects Detected in COVID-19 and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Xu, Wangzi, Cao, Yu, Wu, Lin·International journal of environmental research and public health·2023

This study investigated whether COVID-19 infection actually causes ME/CFS or if the illnesses just happen to occur together. Researchers analyzed genetic data from thousands of people to look for a direct causal link between COVID-19 and ME/CFS. They found no significant connection, suggesting that while some people may develop ME/CFS-like symptoms after COVID-19, the virus itself may not be a direct cause of ME/CFS.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Effects of traditional Chinese mind-body exercises for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Kong, Lingjun, Ren, Jun, Fang, Sitong et al.·Journal of global health·2023

This research review looked at whether traditional Chinese exercises like Tai Chi and Qigong help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers combined results from 13 studies involving 1,187 patients and found that these exercises probably reduce fatigue, depression, and anxiety compared to doing nothing, and may improve sleep and thinking ability. However, the benefits seem to fade over time, and these exercises work about as well as other active treatments like standard exercise programs.

Sleep

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The role of psychiatry in diagnosis and treatment of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping literature review.

Dolp, Reinhard, Wardle, David Pr, Khalid-Khan, Sarosh·International journal of adolescent medicine and health·2023

This review looked at how psychiatry (the medical specialty focused on mental health) is involved in diagnosing and treating ME/CFS in children and teenagers. The researchers searched medical literature and found that psychiatrists are rarely part of the care team for young people with ME/CFS, and when they are involved, their role is often unclear or limited to treating separate mental health problems. The study suggests that psychiatry could potentially play a more defined and helpful role in caring for children and adolescents with ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review and meta-analysis of urinary biomarkers in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Taccori, Asher, Maksoud, Rebekah, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers looked at 21 studies examining urine samples from ME/CFS patients to find markers that could help diagnose the condition. They focused especially on a substance called cortisol (a stress hormone) in urine. While they found some differences in urine samples between people with ME/CFS and healthy people, the results were too inconsistent to identify a reliable single marker for diagnosis.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEvidence-Map

Frontiers in chronic fatigue syndrome research: An analysis of the top 100 most influential articles in the field.

Wang, Xingxin, Li, Xuhao, Dong, Tiantian et al.·Medicine·2023

This study analyzed the 100 most-cited scientific papers on ME/CFS to understand what researchers have been focusing on and what directions the field is moving toward. Researchers found that ME/CFS research is a global effort involving hundreds of institutions across many countries, with studies increasingly looking at cognitive behavioral therapy, how to diagnose ME/CFS better, and the biological basis of the condition. The analysis suggests future research will likely focus on finding biological markers, understanding immune system changes, and identifying genetic risk factors.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

Kornder, Nele, Baum, Erika, Maisel, Peter et al.·ZFA. Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmedizin·2023

This guideline helps family doctors diagnose and treat fatigue by providing a systematic approach. When fatigue has no clear cause, doctors should ask about sleep, mood, medications, and life stressors, and perform basic blood tests. The guideline emphasizes that fatigue often has multiple causes working together, and recommends checking specifically for post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a key feature of ME/CFS—so patients can receive appropriate specialized care.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Biomarkers for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic review.

Maksoud, Rebekah, Magawa, Chandi, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·BMC medicine·2023

Researchers reviewed 101 studies looking for biological markers (biomarkers) that could help diagnose ME/CFS. A biomarker is something measurable in your blood or body that shows a disease is present. While scientists found many potential biomarkers affecting the immune system, energy production, circulation, and other body functions, none have been proven reliable enough to use as a diagnostic test yet.

BiomarkersImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Objective sleep measures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mohamed, Abdalla Z, Andersen, Thu, Radovic, Sanja et al.·Sleep medicine reviews·2023

This study looked at 24 research papers that measured sleep objectively (using devices and tests, not just patient reports) in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients do indeed have real, measurable sleep problems—they take longer to fall asleep, wake up more during the night, and don't get good-quality sleep. Interestingly, these sleep problems looked slightly different in teenagers compared to adults with ME/CFS.

SleepAutonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review.

Lepri, Beatrice, Romani, Daniele, Storari, Lorenzo et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2023

This review looked at 15 studies testing whether pain neuroscience education—teaching patients how pain works in the nervous system—helps people with chronic muscle and joint pain, including those with conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The research found that this type of education does appear to reduce pain and improve disability and mood, especially when delivered one-on-one and combined with other treatments like physical therapy.

Pain and Sensitization

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Evidence browser

Fatigue in Adults: Evaluation and Management.

Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.

Effects of traditional Chinese exercise on sleep quality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Evaluation of viral infection as an etiology of ME/CFS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Application and development of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases: A review.

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

Diagnosis and Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The microbiome in post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS).

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection, EBV, HHV-6 and Other Factors May Contribute to Inflammation and Autoimmunity in Long COVID.

DNA Methylation Signatures of Functional Somatic Syndromes: Systematic Review.

Understanding, diagnosing, and treating Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - State of the art: Report of the 2nd international meeting at the Charité Fatigue Center.

No Causal Effects Detected in COVID-19 and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Two Sample Mendelian Randomization Study.

Effects of traditional Chinese mind-body exercises for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The role of psychiatry in diagnosis and treatment of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping literature review.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of urinary biomarkers in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Frontiers in chronic fatigue syndrome research: An analysis of the top 100 most influential articles in the field.

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

Biomarkers for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic review.

Objective sleep measures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research