ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

320 studies

141–160 of 320 studies

Effect of Milnacipran Treatment on Ventricular Lactate in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Natelson, Benjamin H, Vu, Diana, Mao, Xiangling et al.·The journal of pain·2015

This study tested whether a medication called milnacipran could reduce brain inflammation and pain in fibromyalgia patients. Researchers measured a chemical called lactate in the brain using a special MRI scan and found that fibromyalgia patients had higher levels than healthy people. After 8 weeks of treatment, patients taking milnacipran showed lower lactate levels and less pain compared to those taking placebo, suggesting the medication may work by reducing brain inflammation.

NeuroinflammationBiomarkers

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Rehabilitative therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome: a secondary mediation analysis of the PACE trial.

Chalder, Trudie, Goldsmith, Kimberley A, White, Peter D et al.·The lancet. Psychiatry·2015

This study examined how cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) help reduce fatigue and improve physical function in ME/CFS patients. The researchers found that both treatments work partly by changing how afraid patients are of activity and what they believe about their illness, and that GET also works by gradually building exercise tolerance. The study suggests that changing unhelpful thoughts and gradually increasing activity are important parts of recovery for some patients.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue: a multicenter, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial.

Kim, Jung-Eun, Seo, Byung-Kwan, Choi, Jin-Bong et al.·Trials·2015

This study tested whether acupuncture—a traditional practice involving thin needles inserted into the skin—could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and related fatigue conditions. Researchers divided 150 patients into three groups: two received different types of acupuncture for 4 weeks along with their usual care, while one group continued usual care alone. The acupuncture groups showed some improvements in fatigue, stress, and pain compared to the usual care group.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredProtocol

Investigating neural mechanisms of change of cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

van Der Schaaf, Marieke E, Schmits, Iris C, Roerink, Megan et al.·BMC psychiatry·2015

This study investigated how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works for ME/CFS by examining brain imaging and blood markers before and after treatment. Researchers compared 60 ME/CFS patients receiving CBT with 30 on a waiting list and 30 healthy controls to see how their brains changed and whether hormone and immune markers were involved in recovery.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effect of Lixujieyu recipe in combination with Five Elements music therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zhang, Zhenxian, Cai, Zhixing, Yu, Yonghui et al.·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·2015

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (Lixujieyu recipe) combined with specific types of music therapy could help reduce fatigue, depression, and anxiety in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers assigned 90 patients to different groups: five groups received the herbal medicine plus different types of music therapy, and one group received the herbal medicine alone. After 4 weeks of treatment, patients who received the herbal medicine combined with certain music types (Gong-Tune or Jiao-Tune) showed better improvement in fatigue, depression, and anxiety compared to the herbal medicine alone.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

From Body to Mind and Spirit: Qigong Exercise for Bereaved Persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Like Illness.

Li, Jie, Chan, Jessie S M, Chow, Amy Y M et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2015

This study looked at how grief affects people with ME/CFS-like illness and tested whether a traditional Chinese exercise called Qigong could help. People who were grieving had more mental fatigue and lower physical quality of life than those not grieving. After 5 weeks of Qigong classes plus home practice, grieving participants who did Qigong improved more in fatigue, mood, spiritual well-being, and quality of life compared to those who didn't do Qigong.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Agomelatine but not melatonin improves fatigue perception: a longitudinal proof-of-concept study.

Pardini, M, Cordano, C, Benassi, F et al.·European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2014

This study tested whether a medication called agomelatine could reduce fatigue in people with ME/CFS. The researchers compared agomelatine to melatonin (a common sleep supplement) over 24 weeks in 62 patients. Agomelatine improved fatigue and quality of life, while melatonin alone did not—and when patients switched from melatonin to agomelatine, their fatigue improved.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Adverse events and deterioration reported by participants in the PACE trial of therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dougall, Dominic, Johnson, Anthony, Goldsmith, Kimberley et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2014

This study looked at side effects and health changes that happened to people with ME/CFS who tried four different treatments in the PACE trial. Researchers found that side effects were common across all treatment types, but people doing graded exercise therapy (GET) and adaptive pacing therapy (APT) were more likely to experience a noticeable worsening of their physical abilities. The study suggests that the high rate of side effects may reflect how ME/CFS affects the body rather than being caused by the treatments themselves.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients].

Lu, Chen, Yang, Xiu-Juan, Hu, Jie·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2014

This study tested whether acupuncture and moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine technique using heat) could reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients. 133 patients received either manual acupuncture, warm-needling (heated acupuncture), or treatment at non-acupuncture points as a control. Both active treatments reduced fatigue symptoms after 20 daily sessions, with warm-needling showing slightly better results than manual acupuncture.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Qigong exercise alleviates fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, improves sleep quality, and shortens sleep latency in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness.

Chan, Jessie S M, Ho, Rainbow T H, Chung, Ka-Fai et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2014

This study tested whether a gentle movement and breathing practice called Baduanjin Qigong could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness. Over 9 weeks, 150 participants either took Qigong classes and practiced at home, or waited for treatment. The Qigong group showed improvements in sleep quality, how quickly they fell asleep, fatigue levels, and anxiety and depression symptoms—and the more they practiced, the better they did.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: response to rehabilitative treatments in the PACE trial.

Bourke, J H, Johnson, A L, Sharpe, M et al.·Psychological medicine·2014

This study looked at whether four different ME/CFS treatments—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), graded exercise therapy (GET), adaptive pacing therapy (APT), and standard medical care—could reduce pain symptoms. Both CBT and GET appeared to reduce muscle and joint pain more than APT or standard care, though the improvements were modest in size. Importantly, these pain improvements happened independently of whether fatigue got better.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Disease mechanisms and clonidine treatment in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a combined cross-sectional and randomized clinical trial.

Sulheim, Dag, Fagermoen, Even, Winger, Anette et al.·JAMA pediatrics·2014

This study looked at whether adolescents with ME/CFS have overactive stress response systems in their bodies and whether a medication called clonidine could help. Researchers found that young people with ME/CFS did have higher levels of stress chemicals and signs of body inflammation compared to healthy teens, but the medication did not improve their condition and actually reduced their physical activity. The study suggests that the overactive stress response may be the body's attempt to cope with ME/CFS rather than the root cause.

Endocrine Disruption

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Pilot study investigating the utility of a specialized online symptom management program for individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome as compared to an online meditation program.

Arroll, Megan A, Attree, Elizabeth A, Marshall, Clare L et al.·Psychology research and behavior management·2014

This pilot study tested whether an online program designed to help people manage ME/CFS symptoms could be helpful for patients. Researchers compared this specialized program to an online meditation program and tracked changes in fatigue, symptoms, and how much control people felt they had over their condition over 8 weeks. The specialized program showed some benefits, particularly in helping people feel more in control and improving sleep difficulties, though overall ME/CFS symptoms didn't change significantly.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Isometric yoga improves the fatigue and pain of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who are resistant to conventional therapy: a randomized, controlled trial.

Oka, Takakazu, Tanahashi, Tokusei, Chijiwa, Takeharu et al.·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2014

This study tested whether a gentle form of yoga called isometric yoga could help ME/CFS patients who hadn't improved with standard treatments. Thirty patients who had tried conventional therapies for at least six months were split into two groups: one continued their usual treatment, while the other added twice-weekly yoga sessions plus daily home practice. The yoga group showed significant improvements in fatigue and some also reported pain relief, with minimal side effects.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Tryptophan depletion in chronic fatigue syndrome, a pilot cross-over study.

The, Gerard K H, Verkes, Robbert J, Fekkes, Durk et al.·BMC research notes·2014

Researchers tested whether reducing tryptophan (a protein building block that helps make serotonin, a brain chemical) would improve ME/CFS symptoms. Five women with ME/CFS received either a special amino acid drink designed to lower tryptophan or placebo, one week apart. The drink successfully reduced tryptophan levels by 96%, but it did not change fatigue, mood, or concentration compared to placebo.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up.

Fjorback, Lone Overby, Arendt, Mikkel, Ornbøl, Eva et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study tested whether mindfulness therapy (a technique combining meditation and stress-reduction strategies) could help people with conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS. Researchers compared mindfulness therapy to enhanced standard medical care in 119 patients over 15 months. While both groups improved similarly overall, people in the mindfulness group improved faster and their gains lasted longer, suggesting mindfulness may be a helpful option worth considering.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effects of sleep restriction and exercise deprivation on somatic symptoms and mood in healthy adults.

Ablin, Jacob N, Clauw, Daniel J, Lyden, Angela K et al.·Clinical and experimental rheumatology·2013

This study tested what happens when healthy people stop exercising or reduce their sleep for 10 days. Researchers found that cutting sleep to 6 hours per night quickly caused symptoms like widespread pain, fatigue, and difficulty thinking clearly—similar to symptoms seen in chronic fatigue syndrome. Stopping exercise alone caused less noticeable effects, mainly just fatigue. Women developed these symptoms more easily than men when sleep or exercise was restricted.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: analysis of economic consequences alongside a randomized trial.

Fjorback, Lone Overby, Carstensen, Tina, Arendt, Mikkel et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study tested whether mindfulness therapy (a type of meditation and awareness training) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and similar conditions. After 15 months, fewer people in the mindfulness group needed disability pensions compared to those receiving standard care, and healthcare costs dropped for both groups despite the cost of the therapy itself.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized, sham-controlled trial with single-blinded design.

Ng, Siu-Man, Yiu, Yan-Mun·Alternative therapies in health and medicine·2013

Researchers tested whether acupuncture could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by comparing real acupuncture to fake acupuncture in 127 participants over 4 weeks. Both groups improved, but the real acupuncture group showed somewhat better results in reducing physical and mental fatigue and improving physical quality of life, though the improvements were modest.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 modulates host inflammatory processes beyond the gut.

Groeger, David, O'Mahony, Liam, Murphy, Eileen F et al.·Gut microbes·2013

This study tested whether a beneficial gut bacterium called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 could reduce inflammation in people with ME/CFS, along with people who have other inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. Participants took either the bacterium or placebo for 6-8 weeks, and researchers measured inflammatory markers in their blood. The bacterium reduced multiple inflammatory markers across all three conditions, suggesting that gut bacteria can influence immune system activity throughout the whole body, not just in the gut.

Immune System

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Effect of Milnacipran Treatment on Ventricular Lactate in Fibromyalgia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Rehabilitative therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome: a secondary mediation analysis of the PACE trial.

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome and idiopathic chronic fatigue: a multicenter, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial.

Investigating neural mechanisms of change of cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Effect of Lixujieyu recipe in combination with Five Elements music therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome.

From Body to Mind and Spirit: Qigong Exercise for Bereaved Persons with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Like Illness.

Agomelatine but not melatonin improves fatigue perception: a longitudinal proof-of-concept study.

Adverse events and deterioration reported by participants in the PACE trial of therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Randomized controlled clinical trials of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome patients].

Qigong exercise alleviates fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, improves sleep quality, and shortens sleep latency in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness.

Pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: response to rehabilitative treatments in the PACE trial.

Disease mechanisms and clonidine treatment in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a combined cross-sectional and randomized clinical trial.

Pilot study investigating the utility of a specialized online symptom management program for individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome as compared to an online meditation program.

Isometric yoga improves the fatigue and pain of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who are resistant to conventional therapy: a randomized, controlled trial.

Tryptophan depletion in chronic fatigue syndrome, a pilot cross-over study.

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up.

Effects of sleep restriction and exercise deprivation on somatic symptoms and mood in healthy adults.

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: analysis of economic consequences alongside a randomized trial.

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized, sham-controlled trial with single-blinded design.

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 modulates host inflammatory processes beyond the gut.

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Neuroinflammation Evidence

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Biomarkers

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