ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

643 studies

301–320 of 643 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A systematic review on the health outcomes associated with non-endocarditis manifestations of chronic Q fever.

Manchal, Naveen, Adegboye, Oyelola A, Eisen, Damon P·European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology·2020

This study looked at chronic Q fever, a bacterial infection that can cause long-term complications beyond heart valve infections. Researchers found that when chronic Q fever affects bones, blood vessels, or causes abscesses (pockets of infection), patients experience significantly more pain than other forms of the disease. Importantly, the study reviewed existing research to understand how pain and fatigue appear in these less common forms of chronic Q fever.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

What Works in Mindfulness Interventions for Medically Unexplained Symptoms? A Systematic Review.

Billones, Ruel, Saligan, Leorey·Asian/Pacific Island nursing journal·2020

This review looked at 24 studies testing whether mindfulness-based programs (practices that teach you to focus on the present moment without judgment) help people with medically unexplained symptoms like fibromyalgia and chronic pain. The programs showed meaningful improvements in symptom severity, pain intensity, depression, and anxiety. The most effective programs included education about symptoms, guided mindfulness practice, and self-compassion training.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Patients' experiences and effects of non-pharmacological treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping mixed methods review.

Mengshoel, Anne Marit, Helland, Ingrid Bergliot, Meeus, Mira et al.·International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being·2020

This review looked at 16 European studies on non-drug treatments for ME/CFS, examining what actually helps patients and what matters most to them during treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed the most promise for reducing fatigue compared to no treatment, while rehabilitation and activity-pacing approaches showed mixed results. Importantly, patients felt most helped when their doctors truly recognized ME/CFS as a real illness and supported them, but they were often unsure what these treatments actually involved or why they were being recommended.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of metabolomic dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (CFS/ME/SEID).

Huth, Teilah Kathryn, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Staines, Donald et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed 11 studies that measured tiny chemical molecules (metabolites) in the blood and urine of ME/CFS patients to see if problems with these chemicals might explain the illness. While they found some patterns—especially with chemicals related to amino acids (building blocks of proteins)—the results were inconsistent across different studies. The researchers concluded that we don't yet have enough evidence that metabolite problems cause ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

Meta-analysis investigating post-exertional malaise between patients and controls.

Brown, Abigail, Jason, Leonard A·Journal of health psychology·2020

This study looked at research from multiple studies to understand how common post-exertional malaise (PEM) is in people with ME/CFS. Post-exertional malaise is when symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS are about 10 times more likely to experience post-exertional malaise than people without the condition, suggesting it is a key feature of ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Review of case definitions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lim, Eun-Jin, Son, Chang-Gue·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study reviewed how ME/CFS has been defined and diagnosed over the past 34 years, examining 25 different case definitions created by researchers. The researchers found that these definitions fall into four main categories and emphasize different key symptoms—some focus on a viral cause, others on inflammation, and some on multiple system problems. Understanding these different approaches helps doctors and patients recognize that ME/CFS is complex and may require more than one way to diagnose it.

Cognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Advances in Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Zhang, Xiaoyan, Wang, Miao, Zhou, Shigao·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2020

This review looked at research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome over a five-year period. Researchers found that many clinical studies showed TCM may help improve CFS symptoms, but the results are still not completely clear. The review examined different TCM approaches including syndrome-based treatment, external therapies, and combinations with other treatments.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Complex syndromes of chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment linked to autoimmune dysautonomia and small fiber neuropathy.

Shoenfeld, Yehuda, Ryabkova, Varvara A, Scheibenbogen, Carmen et al.·Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.)·2020

This review brings together evidence suggesting that ME/CFS, along with related conditions like POTS and complex regional pain syndrome, may share a common autoimmune root cause. The researchers found that these conditions are linked by similar patterns: the body's immune system produces antibodies that attack certain nerve receptors, and small nerve fibers become damaged. By understanding these shared mechanisms, doctors may eventually be able to better identify which patients would benefit from immune-targeting treatments.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

[The review of prospective studies on mental health and the quality of life of physicians and medical students].

Szemik, Szymon, Gajda, Maksymilian, Kowalska, Małgorzata·Medycyna pracy·2020

This review examined research on the mental health and quality of life of doctors and medical students. The studies found that doctors often experience chronic fatigue syndrome and burnout from workplace stress, while medical students and young doctors commonly struggle with depression, alcohol misuse, and suicidal thoughts. The research used long-term follow-up studies to track how these problems develop over time.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A Literature Review of GP Knowledge and Understanding of ME/CFS: A Report from the Socioeconomic Working Group of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

Pheby, Derek F H, Araja, Diana, Berkis, Uldis et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2020

This study looked at what general practitioners (GPs) know and believe about ME/CFS by reviewing 33 research papers. The researchers found that many GPs don't believe ME/CFS is a real illness or don't feel confident diagnosing it, and patients often report feeling dismissed by their doctors. This problem has been going on for decades and hasn't improved much.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

The Prospects of the Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in ME/CFS Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Lim, Eun-Jin, Kang, Eun-Bum, Jang, Eun-Su et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed studies testing a two-day exercise test (called CPET) that might help diagnose ME/CFS by measuring how the body performs differently on day two compared to day one. In ME/CFS patients, performance dropped on day two, while it improved in healthy people—suggesting this test could objectively measure the characteristic crash (postexertional malaise) that follows exertion in ME/CFS. The test showed promise, but more large-scale studies are needed before it can be used clinically.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Larun, Lillebeth, Brurberg, Kjetil G, Odgaard-Jensen, Jan et al.·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2019

This review looked at whether exercise therapy helps people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that exercise probably reduces tiredness compared to usual care, and may slightly improve physical function and sleep. However, the long-term benefits are unclear, and the evidence comparing exercise to other treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy is limited.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome].

Brinth, Louise, Nielsen, Henrik, Varming, Kim et al.·Ugeskrift for laeger·2019

ME/CFS is a serious condition that causes extreme tiredness affecting both mind and body, along with pain, sleep problems, difficulty thinking clearly, and a symptom called post-exertional malaise where activity makes symptoms worse. Research has found changes in patients' cells, hormones, immune systems, and how their bodies process energy, which could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat this condition.

BiomarkersEnergy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Cognitive behavioural therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Health psychology open·2019

This study reviewed research on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for ME/CFS and found that it helps only a small number of patients with mild symptoms experience temporary subjective fatigue improvement. The improvement didn't translate into better physical fitness, job status, or disability benefits. Safety concerns were largely unreported in the original studies, but patient reports suggest about 1 in 5 people experienced negative outcomes.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Fatigue.

Haß, Ulrike, Herpich, Catrin, Norman, Kristina·Nutrients·2019

This review looked at whether eating anti-inflammatory foods—like whole grains, vegetables rich in plant compounds, and omega-3 fatty acids—might help reduce fatigue in people with chronic illnesses. The researchers examined 21 human studies and found that while single nutrients alone showed mixed results, eating a balanced diet with these whole foods showed promise for improving fatigue. However, more research is still needed to confirm these findings.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Chronotropic Intolerance: An Overlooked Determinant of Symptoms and Activity Limitation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Davenport, Todd E, Lehnen, Mary, Stevens, Staci R et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This review examines how people with ME/CFS respond to exercise differently than healthy people. Researchers found that during exercise tests, people with ME/CFS have a blunted heart rate response—their heart rate doesn't increase as much as expected for the amount of work they're doing. This abnormal response, called chronotropic intolerance, may help explain why exercise worsens symptoms in ME/CFS patients.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Evidence of altered cardiac autonomic regulation in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Nelson, Maximillian J, Bahl, Jasvir S, Buckley, Jonathan D et al.·Medicine·2019

This study looked at how the hearts of people with ME/CFS respond differently compared to healthy people, focusing on heart rate and its patterns. Researchers reviewed 64 previous studies and found that ME/CFS patients tend to have higher resting heart rates, unusual heart rate responses to position changes, and different patterns in heart rate variability (the natural variation in time between heartbeats). These findings suggest that the nervous system that controls heart function may work differently in people with ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Methodological Strategies for Ecological Momentary Assessment to Evaluate Mood and Stress in Adult Patients Using Mobile Phones: Systematic Review.

Yang, Yong Sook, Ryu, Gi Wook, Choi, Mona·JMIR mHealth and uHealth·2019

This review looked at research studies that used smartphones to track mood and stress in patients with various chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS. Researchers used apps or text-based systems to send prompts at random times throughout the day, asking patients to report how they were feeling in that moment. The review found that this method is practical and feasible for understanding how symptoms and emotions change during daily life.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Pathological Mechanisms Underlying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Missailidis, Daniel, Annesley, Sarah J, Fisher, Paul R·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2019

ME/CFS is a complex condition affecting multiple body systems, and researchers are working to understand what causes it. This review shows that evidence points to problems in the immune system, nervous system, muscle function, metabolism, and gut health in ME/CFS patients. Because patients experience different symptoms and may develop the condition in different ways, finding reliable diagnostic tests remains a key challenge that researchers are actively pursuing.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Epigenetic Components of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Uncover Potential Transposable Element Activation.

Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Ovejero, Tamara, Sánchez-Fito, Teresa et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This study reviewed research on how ME/CFS may involve changes in how genes are regulated, not the genes themselves. The researchers discovered that dormant DNA sequences called transposable elements—which make up almost half of our genome and were previously thought to be 'junk DNA'—might become activated in ME/CFS patients. This activation could trigger the immune system to attack without an actual infection present.

Immune System

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

A systematic review on the health outcomes associated with non-endocarditis manifestations of chronic Q fever.

What Works in Mindfulness Interventions for Medically Unexplained Symptoms? A Systematic Review.

Patients' experiences and effects of non-pharmacological treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping mixed methods review.

A systematic review of metabolomic dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (CFS/ME/SEID).

Meta-analysis investigating post-exertional malaise between patients and controls.

Review of case definitions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Advances in Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Complex syndromes of chronic pain, fatigue and cognitive impairment linked to autoimmune dysautonomia and small fiber neuropathy.

[The review of prospective studies on mental health and the quality of life of physicians and medical students].

A Literature Review of GP Knowledge and Understanding of ME/CFS: A Report from the Socioeconomic Working Group of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

The Prospects of the Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in ME/CFS Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome].

Cognitive behavioural therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

Anti-Inflammatory Diets and Fatigue.

Chronotropic Intolerance: An Overlooked Determinant of Symptoms and Activity Limitation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Evidence of altered cardiac autonomic regulation in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methodological Strategies for Ecological Momentary Assessment to Evaluate Mood and Stress in Adult Patients Using Mobile Phones: Systematic Review.

Pathological Mechanisms Underlying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Epigenetic Components of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Uncover Potential Transposable Element Activation.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research