ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

654 studies

361–380 of 654 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Health psychology open·2018

This study re-examined a major 2017 review that had concluded graded exercise therapy (GET) was helpful for ME/CFS. The researchers found serious problems with that review's methods and conclusions. They concluded there is no reliable evidence that GET works for ME/CFS, and safety concerns were not properly reported in the original trials.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Postural tachycardia syndrome and other forms of orthostatic intolerance in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Roma, Maria, Marden, Colleen L, De Wandele, Inge et al.·Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2018

This review looked at research connecting two conditions: orthostatic intolerance (difficulty standing up without dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a connective tissue disorder causing loose joints and flexible skin). The researchers found that people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome experience orthostatic intolerance symptoms much more often than healthy people, and these symptoms significantly affect their quality of life.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Cost-effectiveness of interventions for medically unexplained symptoms: A systematic review.

Wortman, Margreet S H, Lokkerbol, Joran, van der Wouden, Johannes C et al.·PloS one·2018

This study looked at 39 research projects to find out which treatments for long-lasting unexplained symptoms—including chronic fatigue syndrome—work best and offer good value for money. The researchers found that group-based treatments (where patients meet together) tend to be more cost-effective than one-on-one treatments. However, the studies they reviewed were quite different from each other, making it hard to compare results directly.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Does the microbiome and virome contribute to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome?

Newberry, Fiona, Hsieh, Shen-Yuan, Wileman, Tom et al.·Clinical science (London, England : 1979)·2018

This review examines whether changes in the bacteria living in our gut and the viruses that affect those bacteria might contribute to ME/CFS. While previous studies have focused mainly on bacterial changes, this paper points out that viruses—especially those that attack bacteria—are equally important to understand. The authors explain that inconsistencies between different microbiome studies make it hard to draw clear conclusions, and call for more standardized research methods.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A systematic review of outcome measures utilised to assess self-management in clinical trials in patients with chronic pain.

Banerjee, Anirban, Hendrick, Paul, Bhattacharjee, Purba et al.·Patient education and counseling·2018

This review looked at 25 studies to find out which questionnaires and tests best measure how well people manage their chronic pain on their own. Researchers found 14 different measurement tools that assess things like pain coping skills, confidence, and self-care. The review suggests that tools measuring multiple aspects of self-management—like the Chronic Pain Coping Inventory and Health Education Impact Questionnaire—work best for tracking how people manage their conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A Review Study on the Beneficial Effects of Baduanjin.

Zou, Liye, Pan, Zhujun, Yeung, Albert et al.·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2018

This review looked at 22 studies about Baduanjin, a gentle Chinese exercise that combines movement with mental focus. The studies suggest that Baduanjin may help improve thinking abilities, mood, sleep, and physical symptoms in people with various conditions, including those with chronic fatigue-like illness. However, the authors note that better-quality, longer-lasting studies are needed before we can be confident about these benefits.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Nutritional modulation of the intestinal microbiota; future opportunities for the prevention and treatment of neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory disease.

Lombardi, Vincent C, De Meirleir, Kenny L, Subramanian, Krishnamurthy et al.·The Journal of nutritional biochemistry·2018

Your gut bacteria and brain communicate constantly with each other in ways that affect your immune system and inflammation levels. This review looks at how diet and nutrition can change your gut bacteria in ways that might help prevent or treat brain-related diseases that involve immune problems. The authors suggest that maintaining healthy gut bacteria through food choices could be an important treatment strategy.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Evidence for an autoimmune disease.

Sotzny, Franziska, Blanco, Julià, Capelli, Enrica et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2018

This review examines evidence that ME/CFS may be caused by the immune system attacking the body (autoimmune disease). Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have unusual immune patterns, including abnormal antibodies and changes in immune cells. Importantly, a treatment that removes certain immune cells (rituximab) helped about half of ME/CFS patients in clinical trials, suggesting an autoimmune mechanism in at least some people.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment is not effective for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A review of the FatiGo trial.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Health psychology open·2018

This analysis reviewed a major trial called FatiGo that compared two treatment approaches for ME/CFS: multidisciplinary rehabilitation (combining physical therapy, psychology, and other treatments) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While the original FatiGo trial claimed both treatments were effective, this review found serious problems with how the study was conducted and concluded that the evidence does not actually support these claims.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The "Biology-First" Hypothesis: Functional disorders may begin and end with biology-A scoping review.

Enck, P, Mazurak, N·Neurogastroenterology and motility·2018

This study reviewed research showing that infections can trigger long-lasting functional disorders—conditions where the body doesn't work properly but standard tests appear normal. The authors propose that these disorders start from biological changes (like immune dysfunction or altered gut bacteria) caused by the infection, and that psychological factors develop as a result rather than being the root cause. This challenges the common belief that such conditions are mainly psychological or social in nature.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

WITHDRAWN: Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Adams, Denise, Wu, Taixiang, Yang, Xunzhe et al.·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2018

Researchers searched for studies testing whether traditional Chinese herbal medicines could help treat ME/CFS and chronic fatigue. After reviewing over 2,400 studies across 13 databases, they found that while many studies existed, none met the strict standards needed to prove whether these herbs actually work. The main problem was that most studies, especially those from China, did not use proper scientific methods to fairly test the treatments.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of enteric dysbiosis in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Du Preez, S, Corbitt, M, Cabanas, H et al.·Systematic reviews·2018

Researchers reviewed seven studies looking at whether gut bacteria differences might cause ME/CFS symptoms. While all studies found some differences in gut bacteria between ME/CFS patients and healthy people, the findings were inconsistent and often not statistically significant. Currently, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say that abnormal gut bacteria are a major cause of ME/CFS.

Gut Microbiome

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The effect of physiotherapy on fatigue and physical functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: A systematic review.

Galeoto, G, Sansoni, J, Valenti, D et al.·La Clinica terapeutica·2018

This review looked at four high-quality studies to understand how physical therapy might help people with ME/CFS feel less tired and function better. The researchers found that programs combining exercise, stretching, and body awareness techniques showed the most promise for reducing fatigue over medium and long-term periods. However, because there were very few studies to examine, the authors couldn't definitively say which treatment works best for everyone.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative review on efficacy and informed consent.

Geraghty, Keith J, Blease, Charlotte·Journal of health psychology·2018

This review looked at whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy focused on thoughts and behaviors—actually helps ME/CFS patients. The researchers found that CBT may help some people feel less tired in the short term, but there's little proof it works long-term or improves physical abilities. Importantly, CBT can sometimes make people feel worse if it's not done carefully, and much of any improvement might come from the therapist's skill or placebo effect rather than the therapy itself.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Gut Microbiota, Bacterial Translocation, and Interactions with Diet: Pathophysiological Links between Major Depressive Disorder and Non-Communicable Medical Comorbidities.

Slyepchenko, Anastasiya, Maes, Michael, Jacka, Felice N et al.·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2017

This review examines how changes in gut bacteria and a 'leaky gut' (where bacteria can cross the intestinal barrier) may contribute to depression and related conditions like ME/CFS. The authors found evidence that diet, gut bacteria composition, and immune system activation are interconnected, and that these connections may explain why depression often occurs alongside conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, ME/CFS, obesity, and diabetes.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Psychological Interventions for Children with Functional Somatic Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Bonvanie, Irma J, Kallesøe, Karen H, Janssens, Karin A M et al.·The Journal of pediatrics·2017

This review looked at 27 studies testing whether talking therapies and psychological treatments help children with long-lasting physical symptoms like pain, fatigue, and nausea. The researchers found that psychological treatments did help reduce symptoms, disability, and school absences, and these improvements lasted even after treatment ended.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

What treatments work for anxiety in children with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? Systematic review.

Stoll, Sarah Victoria Ellen, Crawley, Esther, Richards, Victoria et al.·BMJ open·2017

Many children with ME/CFS experience anxiety alongside their fatigue symptoms. This review looked at nine studies to find out which treatments help reduce anxiety in children with ME/CFS. While a few treatments showed some promise—particularly therapy approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy and one immune treatment—the evidence is limited and no treatment was specifically designed to target anxiety in this group.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Practical management of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis in childhood.

Brigden, Amberly, Loades, Maria, Abbott, Anna et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2017

This article provides practical guidance on how doctors should diagnose and treat ME/CFS in children and teenagers. ME/CFS is a serious condition that affects at least 1 in 100 secondary school students in the UK, causing severe fatigue and limiting daily activities. Although effective treatments exist, many young people with ME/CFS don't get diagnosed or receive help they need.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wang, Taiwu, Xu, Cong, Pan, Keli et al.·BMC complementary and alternative medicine·2017

This study reviewed 31 previous research trials examining whether acupuncture and moxibustion (traditional Chinese treatments involving needles and heat) help treat ME/CFS. The researchers found that combining multiple acupuncture and moxibustion techniques appeared more effective than using just one technique, and both were more effective than sham acupuncture (fake treatment). However, the overall quality of the research studies reviewed was weak, so stronger evidence is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of the association between fatigue and genetic polymorphisms.

Wang, Tengteng, Yin, Jie, Miller, Andrew H et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2017

Researchers reviewed 50 studies to understand whether differences in our genes (called genetic polymorphisms) might make some people more likely to experience severe fatigue. They found that certain genetic variations in immune system and brain chemistry genes were linked to fatigue across different diseases, including ME/CFS. This suggests that our genes may play a role in determining how tired we become.

Immune System

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

Postural tachycardia syndrome and other forms of orthostatic intolerance in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Cost-effectiveness of interventions for medically unexplained symptoms: A systematic review.

Does the microbiome and virome contribute to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome?

A systematic review of outcome measures utilised to assess self-management in clinical trials in patients with chronic pain.

A Review Study on the Beneficial Effects of Baduanjin.

Nutritional modulation of the intestinal microbiota; future opportunities for the prevention and treatment of neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory disease.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Evidence for an autoimmune disease.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment is not effective for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A review of the FatiGo trial.

The "Biology-First" Hypothesis: Functional disorders may begin and end with biology-A scoping review.

WITHDRAWN: Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

A systematic review of enteric dysbiosis in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

The effect of physiotherapy on fatigue and physical functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: A systematic review.

Cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative review on efficacy and informed consent.

Gut Microbiota, Bacterial Translocation, and Interactions with Diet: Pathophysiological Links between Major Depressive Disorder and Non-Communicable Medical Comorbidities.

Psychological Interventions for Children with Functional Somatic Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

What treatments work for anxiety in children with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? Systematic review.

Practical management of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis in childhood.

Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

A systematic review of the association between fatigue and genetic polymorphisms.

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