ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

321 studies

41–60 of 321 studies

Efficacy of aquatic vs land-based therapy for pain management in women with fibromyalgia: a randomised controlled trial.

Rivas Neira, S, Pasqual Marques, A, Fernández Cervantes, R et al.·Physiotherapy·2024

This study compared two types of exercise therapy for women with fibromyalgia: exercising in a pool (aquatic therapy) versus exercising on land. Both groups did 60-minute exercise sessions three times a week for 12 weeks. Six weeks after the program ended, women who did aquatic therapy reported less pain and better sleep quality than those who exercised on land, suggesting that water-based exercise may be particularly helpful for fibromyalgia.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM requiredRCT

Videoconference-delivered group Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management for ME/CFS patients who present with severe PEM: A randomized controlled trial.

May, Marcella, Milrad, Sara F, Perdomo, Dolores M et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2024

This study tested whether a stress management program delivered by video could help ME/CFS patients who experience severe post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after activity. Patients either received 10 weeks of cognitive behavioral stress management training or health information. For patients with severe PEM, the stress management program led to meaningful improvements in symptom frequency, symptom intensity, and fatigue-related problems, suggesting that managing stress may help reduce PEM severity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Impact of combined plant extracts on long COVID: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Lukkunaprasit, Thitiya, Satapornpong, Patompong, Kulchanawichien, Pongsiri et al.·Complementary therapies in medicine·2024

Researchers tested whether a supplement made from five plant extracts could help people with long COVID feel better. Over 7 days, people taking the supplement reported feeling less fatigued and had fewer severe symptoms like post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity) compared to those taking a placebo. The supplement was generally safe, though the study was small and longer research is needed to confirm these results.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial.

Jones, Matthew D, Casson, Sally M, Barry, Benjamin K et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2023

This study tested whether an online training program could help doctors and therapists better understand and treat chronic fatigue conditions. Allied health professionals who completed the 4-week online course significantly improved their knowledge and confidence in managing these patients, compared to those who didn't receive training. Most participants found the course helpful and would recommend it to others.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

A prospective randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapy using functional brain MRI in patients with post-covid chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tanashyan, M, Morozova, S, Raskurazhev, A et al.·Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie·2023

Researchers tested whether a drug called CCSA (a compound containing succinate acid) could help people with post-COVID fatigue and brain fog. They used advanced brain imaging scans to measure changes in brain activity before and after treatment. The CCSA group showed greater improvement in fatigue symptoms and thinking skills compared to the placebo group.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

Xue, Kai-Yang, Quan, Fei, Tang, Jia-Xuan et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2023

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese medicine treatment called bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Sixty-four patients received either this moxibustion treatment or standard acupuncture over two 6-day courses. The moxibustion group showed greater improvements in fatigue and mood symptoms, and had better immune system markers (T lymphocytes) compared to acupuncture.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Dose-effect of long-snake-like moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Luo, Hong, Gong, Rui, Zheng, Rui et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This study tested whether longer sessions of moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine heat treatment) might work better than shorter sessions for chronic fatigue syndrome. Sixty women with CFS were treated either 60 minutes or 30 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks. The 60-minute sessions produced greater improvements in fatigue and other symptoms, and thermal imaging showed better changes in body heat patterns with the longer treatment.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Achieving symptom relief in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis by targeting the neuro-immune interface and optimizing disease tolerance.

Rodriguez, Lucie, Pou, Christian, Lakshmikanth, Tadepally et al.·Oxford open immunology·2023

Researchers tested whether gently stimulating nerve endings inside the nose could help ME/CFS patients feel better. After 8 weeks of treatment, patients showed about a 30% improvement in their overall symptoms. Blood tests showed that ME patients have signs of ongoing immune activation, and those who improved had changes in their immune cells and less inflammation.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Gastric dysmotility and gastrointestinal symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Steinsvik, Elisabeth K, Hausken, Trygve, Fluge, Øystein et al.·Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology·2023

Many people with ME/CFS experience stomach and digestive problems like bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain. This study used ultrasound imaging to examine how the stomach processes food in 20 ME/CFS patients with digestive complaints, comparing them to healthy people. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients' stomachs don't relax and expand normally after eating, and they are more sensitive to discomfort, similar to a condition called functional dyspepsia.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study: efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Salonen, Tapani, Jokinen, Elina, Satokari, Reetta et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers tested whether transplanting gut bacteria from healthy donors into ME/CFS patients could reduce fatigue and improve quality of life. Eleven patients received either bacteria from a healthy donor or their own bacteria (a placebo control) via colonoscopy, and their symptoms were tracked for six months. The treatment was safe, but it did not improve fatigue, pain, or overall quality of life compared to placebo.

Gut Microbiome

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR) Significantly Reduces Fatigue and Increases Energy in People with Long COVID.

Toussaint, Loren L, Bratty, Alexandra J·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2023

This study tested whether a brain retraining program called Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR) could help people with Long COVID feel less exhausted and have more energy. Over 3 months, people who did the AIR program reported significantly less fatigue and more energy compared to a control group that received a different wellness program. The AIR group showed roughly twice the improvement in energy levels and four times the improvement in fatigue compared to the control group.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Response Shift After Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Targeting Severe Fatigue: Explorative Analysis of Three Randomized Controlled Trials.

Müller, Fabiola, Verdam, Mathilde G E, Oort, Frans J et al.·International journal of behavioral medicine·2023

This study examined whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for severe fatigue works partly because patients change how they think about tiredness, rather than simply feeling less tired. Researchers tracked three groups of patients—those with chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer patients, and people with diabetes—who received CBT. They found that CBT did reduce fatigue, and that patients' understanding of what fatigue means to them shifted during treatment, but this shift did not change how well the treatment worked.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Yeast Beta-Glucan Supplementation with Multivitamins Attenuates Cognitive Impairments in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Lacasa, Marcos, Alegre-Martin, Jose, Sentañes, Ramon Sanmartin et al.·Nutrients·2023

This study tested whether a supplement made from yeast beta-glucan combined with vitamin D, B6, and zinc could help people with ME/CFS feel less mentally tired and think more clearly. Over 36 weeks, 65 ME/CFS patients took either the supplement or a placebo pill, and researchers measured changes in cognitive fatigue using a standard questionnaire. The group taking the beta-glucan supplement showed meaningful improvement in mental fatigue compared to the placebo group.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effects of Yijinjing Qigongin Alleviating Fatigue, Sleep Quality, and Health Status on Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Controlled, and Parallel Group Clinical Study.

Xie, Fangfang, Dong, Wenjun, Guan, Chong et al.·Complementary medicine research·2023

This study tested whether Yijinjing, an ancient Chinese exercise practice with 12 movements, could help patients with ME/CFS. Forty patients either practiced Yijinjing six times per week for 12 weeks or received cognitive behavioral education. The Yijinjing group showed greater improvements in fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to the education group.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearObservational

Endothelial dysfunction in ME/CFS patients.

Sandvik, Miriam Kristine, Sørland, Kari, Leirgul, Elisabeth et al.·PloS one·2023

This study found that people with ME/CFS have problems with how their blood vessels function—both the larger vessels and the smaller ones that deliver oxygen throughout the body. Researchers measured blood vessel response in 39 ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people, and found significant differences. Interestingly, when patients were treated over 18 months, their smaller blood vessel function improved slightly, though the larger blood vessels did not change.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Ginger-indirect moxibustion plus acupuncture versus acupuncture alone for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Tingting, M A, Jie, W U, Lijie, Yang et al.·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·2022

This study tested whether ginger-indirect moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine technique using heated ginger) combined with acupuncture works better than acupuncture alone for chronic fatigue syndrome. Over 290 people received either the combination treatment or acupuncture alone for 8 weeks, with follow-ups for 12 weeks afterward. Both groups improved, but the combination treatment showed slightly faster relief of fatigue and physical symptoms in the first few weeks.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Effect of electroacupuncture at back-shu points of five zang on fatigue status and cortical excitability in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Li, Zhong-Xian, Zhang, Yu, Yan, Lu-da et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2022

This study tested whether electroacupuncture (a traditional treatment combining acupuncture with mild electrical stimulation) applied to specific points on the back could reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people with ME/CFS. Seventy-two patients were randomly assigned to receive either real electroacupuncture or fake electroacupuncture (needles placed at inactive sites with no electrical current). After 6 weeks of treatment, the real electroacupuncture group showed greater improvements in fatigue symptoms and quality of life compared to the sham group.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Differential Metabolites and Metabolic Pathways Involved in Aerobic Exercise Improvement of Chronic Fatigue Symptoms in Adolescents Based on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Zhao, Shanguang, Chi, Aiping, Wan, Bingjun et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2022

This study tested whether regular aerobic exercise could help high school students with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) feel less tired and reduce harmful stress chemicals in their bodies. Over 12 weeks, students in the exercise group ran three times per week for 45 minutes, while others continued their normal routines. The exercising students felt significantly better and had lower levels of oxidative stress markers, suggesting aerobic activity may help repair some of the chemical imbalances that occur in CFS.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effects of the Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method (Yan Nian Jiu Zhuan) Qigong on Brain Functional Changes in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Terms of Fatigue and Quality of Life.

Xie, Fangfang, Guan, Chong, Gu, Yuanjia et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2022

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese exercise method called Qigong could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers used brain imaging to see how the method changed activity in different parts of the brain, and measured whether patients felt less tired and had better quality of life. The Qigong group showed improvements in fatigue and quality of life, with specific changes in brain activity patterns.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The Qigong of Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method Relieve Fatigue, Sleep, Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.

Xie, Fangfang, You, Yanli, Guan, Chong et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2022

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese exercise called Qigong (specifically the Prolong Life with Nine Turn Method) could help people with ME/CFS feel less tired, sleep better, and experience less anxiety and depression. Ninety patients tried either the Qigong exercise or cognitive behavioral therapy (a talk-based treatment) for 12 weeks, and both groups improved significantly, with Qigong showing slightly better results.

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Efficacy of aquatic vs land-based therapy for pain management in women with fibromyalgia: a randomised controlled trial.

Videoconference-delivered group Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management for ME/CFS patients who present with severe PEM: A randomized controlled trial.

Impact of combined plant extracts on long COVID: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.

eLearning improves allied health professionals' knowledge and confidence to manage medically unexplained chronic fatigue states: A randomized controlled trial.

A prospective randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of neuroprotective therapy using functional brain MRI in patients with post-covid chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Bamboo-based medicinal moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

Dose-effect of long-snake-like moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Achieving symptom relief in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis by targeting the neuro-immune interface and optimizing disease tolerance.

Gastric dysmotility and gastrointestinal symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study: efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation on chronic fatigue syndrome.

Amygdala and Insula Retraining (AIR) Significantly Reduces Fatigue and Increases Energy in People with Long COVID.

Response Shift After Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Targeting Severe Fatigue: Explorative Analysis of Three Randomized Controlled Trials.

Yeast Beta-Glucan Supplementation with Multivitamins Attenuates Cognitive Impairments in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Effects of Yijinjing Qigongin Alleviating Fatigue, Sleep Quality, and Health Status on Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Controlled, and Parallel Group Clinical Study.

Endothelial dysfunction in ME/CFS patients.

Ginger-indirect moxibustion plus acupuncture versus acupuncture alone for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

[Effect of electroacupuncture at back-shu points of five zang on fatigue status and cortical excitability in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Differential Metabolites and Metabolic Pathways Involved in Aerobic Exercise Improvement of Chronic Fatigue Symptoms in Adolescents Based on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry.

Effects of the Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method (Yan Nian Jiu Zhuan) Qigong on Brain Functional Changes in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Terms of Fatigue and Quality of Life.

The Qigong of Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method Relieve Fatigue, Sleep, Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study.

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