ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

320 studies

101–120 of 320 studies

Effectiveness of a group-based self-management program for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Pinxsterhuis, Irma, Sandvik, Leiv, Strand, Elin Bolle et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2017

This study tested whether a group self-management program (eight meetings over four months) could help people with ME/CFS feel better compared to standard care. At six months, the program group reported less fatigue severity and felt more confident in managing their condition, but these improvements didn't last until the one-year follow-up. Overall, the program did not provide lasting benefits compared to usual care alone.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Heart rate variability biofeedback therapy and graded exercise training in management of chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory pilot study.

Windthorst, Petra, Mazurak, Nazar, Kuske, Marvin et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2017

This study tested two different treatments for ME/CFS in 28 women: heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF), which uses technology to help regulate breathing and nervous system activity, and graded exercise training (GET), which involves gradually increasing physical activity. Both treatments reduced fatigue, but they helped in different ways—HRV-BF appeared to help more with mood and depression, while GET seemed to improve physical functioning more.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Imipramine versus placebo for multiple functional somatic syndromes (STreSS-3): a double-blind, randomised study.

Agger, Johanne L, Schröder, Andreas, Gormsen, Lise K et al.·The lancet. Psychiatry·2017

This study tested whether a low-dose antidepressant called imipramine could help people who have multiple overlapping chronic conditions like ME/CFS and irritable bowel syndrome. Over 10 weeks, patients taking imipramine were more likely to report feeling better (53%) compared to those taking placebo (25%), but imipramine caused more side effects, particularly moderate ones like dry mouth and dizziness.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cytokine Inhibition in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.

Roerink, Megan E, Bredie, Sebastian J H, Heijnen, Michael et al.·Annals of internal medicine·2017

Researchers tested whether a drug called anakinra, which reduces inflammation in the body, could help reduce fatigue in women with ME/CFS. Over 4 weeks, patients received either anakinra injections or placebo (dummy injections), and both groups were followed for an additional 20 weeks. The drug did not significantly improve fatigue or other symptoms compared to placebo, though some patients experienced injection site reactions.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytokine signatures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a Case Control Study and the effect of anakinra treatment.

Roerink, Megan E, Knoop, Hans, Bronkhorst, Ewald M et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

Researchers compared immune signaling molecules (cytokines) in the blood of 50 women with ME/CFS to 48 healthy women and found two markers were elevated in the ME/CFS group: IL-12p40 and CSF-1. They also tested whether a drug called anakinra (which blocks inflammation) could help reduce these markers, but found it did not significantly change cytokine levels after 4 weeks of treatment.

BiomarkersImmune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Guided graded exercise self-help as a treatment of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clauw, Daniel J·Lancet (London, England)·2017

This study tested whether a self-help program involving gradual, guided exercise could help reduce fatigue in people with ME/CFS. Participants used a self-guided approach to slowly increase their activity levels under professional guidance. The research was published in the prestigious Lancet journal, indicating rigorous scientific testing.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Glazachev, O S, Dudnik, Е N, Zagaynaya, E E·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2017

This study tested whether laennec, a human placenta extract given as intravenous infusions, could help patients with ME/CFS. Twenty-four patients received 10 infusions over 5 weeks, while 14 control patients received no treatment. The treated group showed significant improvements in fatigue levels, mood, quality of life, and physical exercise capacity, with no serious side effects reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Wholistic Hybrid Derived From Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique (WHEE) for Self-Treatment of Pain, Depression, and Anxiety in Chronic Pain Patients.

Benor, Daniel, Rossiter-Thornton, John, Toussaint, Loren·Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine·2017

This small pilot study tested whether a self-help technique called WHEE (combining eye movements with tapping) could help people with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. Twenty-four patients with chronic pain conditions (including 17 with ME/CFS or fibromyalgia) were split into two groups: one received WHEE treatment for 6 weeks while the other waited. The WHEE group showed improvements in anxiety and depression compared to those who waited, and when the waiting group later tried WHEE, they also experienced less pain and depression.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Guided graded exercise self-help plus specialist medical care versus specialist medical care alone for chronic fatigue syndrome (GETSET): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Clark, Lucy V, Pesola, Francesca, Thomas, Janice M et al.·Lancet (London, England)·2017

This study tested whether a self-help exercise program with some guidance from a physiotherapist could help ME/CFS patients reduce fatigue and improve physical function. Patients either received standard medical care alone or standard care plus a guided self-help exercise booklet with up to four brief coaching sessions over 8 weeks. The guided exercise group showed modest improvements in fatigue and physical function at 12 weeks, and the program was found to be safe.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction combined with acupuncture at back-shu points for chronic fatigue syndrome].

Qi, Yuangang, Song, Shoujiang, Dou, Zhiqiang et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2017

This study tested whether combining a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction) with acupuncture works better than the herb alone for chronic fatigue syndrome. Sixty patients received either the herbal treatment for one month, or the same herbs plus 30-minute acupuncture sessions at specific back points over three treatment courses. Both groups improved, but the combination of herbs and acupuncture produced greater reductions in fatigue and anxiety than the herb alone.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cost-Utility of Home-Based Fatigue Self-Management versus Usual Care for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Meng, Hongdao, Friedberg, Fred·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2017

This study compared a low-cost, home-based self-management program for fatigue (based on cognitive behavioral therapy) with standard medical care for people with severe ME/CFS. Over one year, the self-management program was found to be more cost-effective than usual care—meaning it helped people feel better while costing less overall. The program was popular with participants and had very few people drop out.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Chronic fatigue syndrome treated by the traditional Chinese procedure abdominal tuina: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Li, Huanan, Wang, Jingui, Zhang, Wei et al.·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·2017

This study tested whether abdominal tuina (a traditional Chinese massage technique) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to receive either abdominal tuina or acupuncture once daily for 4 weeks. Both treatments improved fatigue, anxiety, and depression scores, but the abdominal tuina group showed slightly better improvements in fatigue and depression, with few side effects reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Chronic fatigue syndrome treated with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation: a randomized controlled trial].

Li, Jinxia, Xie, Jingjun, Pan, Zhongqiang et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2017

Researchers tested a treatment called transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS)—a non-invasive electrical stimulation applied to specific acupuncture points on the body—in 89 people with ME/CFS. After 4 weeks of daily treatment, the group receiving real TEAS showed significant improvements in fatigue and overall symptoms, while the group receiving sham (fake) TEAS did not improve. The treatment was well-tolerated with no reported side effects.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM requiredObservational

Telephone-administered versus live group cognitive behavioral stress management for adults with CFS.

Hall, Daniel L, Lattie, Emily G, Milrad, Sara F et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2017

This study tested whether teaching stress management skills over the telephone worked as well as learning them in a live group setting for people with ME/CFS. Both formats helped reduce stress, but only the in-person group also improved physical symptoms like post-exertional malaise, chills, fever, and sleep quality. This suggests that meeting face-to-face may have extra benefits beyond just learning the techniques themselves.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedCohortPEM requiredObservational

Metabolic features of chronic fatigue syndrome

Robert K. Naviaux, Jane C. Naviaux, Kefeng Li et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)·2016·n=84

This study analyzed blood metabolites from 84 ME/CFS patients and 45 healthy controls using untargeted metabolomics. Researchers found 80% of the abnormal metabolites were decreased in ME/CFS patients, suggesting a hypometabolic state — the body running in energy conservation mode. The pattern resembled a 'dauer-like' state seen in organisms under stress.

BiomarkersEnergy Metabolism

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredObservational

Complementary and alternative healthcare use by participants in the PACE trial of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lewith, G, Stuart, B, Chalder, T et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study looked at how many people with ME/CFS use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)—such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, or other non-standard treatments—and whether these helped their symptoms. Researchers found that 70% of study participants used some form of CAM at the start, but using CAM was not associated with meaningful improvements in fatigue or physical function over the course of the study.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Treatment expectations influence the outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment in patients with CFS.

Vos-Vromans, D C W M, Huijnen, I P J, Rijnders, L J M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study tested whether patients' expectations about treatment affect how well they recover from ME/CFS. Researchers gave 122 patients either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT) and measured their expectations before starting. They found that for patients receiving MRT, having positive expectations was linked to better outcomes in fatigue and physical quality of life—but this connection was not found in the CBT group.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase modifies effects of clonidine treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hall, K T, Kossowsky, J, Oberlander, T F et al.·The pharmacogenomics journal·2016

This study tested whether a blood pressure medication called clonidine helps people with ME/CFS, and found that it worked differently depending on patients' genes. Specifically, people with a certain genetic variation in a gene called COMT had worse outcomes (fewer steps walked, worse sleep, lower quality of life) when taking clonidine, while those with a different version of the gene showed no improvement or worsening. This suggests that genetic testing might help doctors figure out which patients should avoid this medication.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Physical effects of a reconditioning programme in a group of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Guillamo, Elisabet, Barbany, Joan R, Blazquez, Alicia et al.·The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness·2016

This study tested whether a 24-week exercise program (12 weeks in a lab, 12 weeks at home) could safely help ME/CFS patients improve strength, balance, and physical function. Sixty-eight patients were divided into two groups: one did the exercise program while the other received no intervention. Patients who completed the exercise program showed improvements in balance and muscle strength, with no serious setbacks reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The efficacy of guided self-instruction for patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue: A randomized controlled trial.

Janse, A, Wiborg, J F, Bleijenberg, G et al.·Journal of consulting and clinical psychology·2016

This study tested whether a self-help booklet combined with email support from a therapist could help people with chronic fatigue improve their energy levels and daily functioning. One hundred patients were randomly assigned to either receive the intervention or wait for later treatment. The results showed that people who received the guided self-instruction experienced significant improvements in fatigue severity and overall ability to function compared to those who waited.

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Evidence browser

Effectiveness of a group-based self-management program for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Heart rate variability biofeedback therapy and graded exercise training in management of chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory pilot study.

Imipramine versus placebo for multiple functional somatic syndromes (STreSS-3): a double-blind, randomised study.

Cytokine Inhibition in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.

Cytokine signatures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a Case Control Study and the effect of anakinra treatment.

Guided graded exercise self-help as a treatment of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Wholistic Hybrid Derived From Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique (WHEE) for Self-Treatment of Pain, Depression, and Anxiety in Chronic Pain Patients.

Guided graded exercise self-help plus specialist medical care versus specialist medical care alone for chronic fatigue syndrome (GETSET): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

[Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction combined with acupuncture at back-shu points for chronic fatigue syndrome].

Cost-Utility of Home-Based Fatigue Self-Management versus Usual Care for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome treated by the traditional Chinese procedure abdominal tuina: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome treated with transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation: a randomized controlled trial].

Telephone-administered versus live group cognitive behavioral stress management for adults with CFS.

Metabolic features of chronic fatigue syndrome

Complementary and alternative healthcare use by participants in the PACE trial of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treatment expectations influence the outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment in patients with CFS.

Genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase modifies effects of clonidine treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Physical effects of a reconditioning programme in a group of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

The efficacy of guided self-instruction for patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue: A randomized controlled trial.

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Neuroinflammation Evidence

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Biomarkers

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