ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

320 studies

81–100 of 320 studies

[Clinical research of auricular gold-needle therapy in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution].

Xu, Yi-Yan, Liu, Ji-Hong, Ding, Hui et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2019

This study tested whether auricular gold-needle therapy (inserting gold needles in specific points on the ear) could help patients with chronic fatigue syndrome caused by qi deficiency, a concept from traditional Chinese medicine. Compared to seed pressure therapy and herbal medicine, the gold-needle treatment resulted in better symptom improvement and stronger immune markers after three months of treatment.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Qigong exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chan, Jessie S M, Ng, Siu-Man, Yuen, Lai-Ping et al.·International review of neurobiology·2019

This study tested whether Qigong, a gentle Chinese exercise and meditation practice, could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Two separate trials involving about 137 and 150 participants found that people who practiced Qigong for at least 30 minutes on at least 3 days per week experienced improvements in fatigue, depression, sleep quality, and certain biological markers related to cellular health.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Rituximab for Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Annals of internal medicine·2019

This study tested whether rituximab, a medication that reduces certain immune cells, could help patients with ME/CFS. Researchers gave some patients rituximab and others a placebo (fake treatment) to see if it would improve their symptoms and ability to function. This was one of the first major clinical trials to test this specific treatment in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The effect of Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar) on fatigue: A randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Daneshfard, Babak, Yekta, Nafiseh Hosseini, Khoshdel, Alireza et al.·Complementary therapies in medicine·2019

This study tested whether a plant supplement called Jadwar could reduce fatigue in healthy university students. Sixty-four students took either a Jadwar capsule or a placebo (dummy pill) for 15 days, and researchers measured their fatigue using a questionnaire before and after. The Jadwar group reported significant improvements across all types of fatigue measured, while the placebo group saw much smaller changes.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The Efficacy and Safety of Myelophil, an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Joung, Jin-Yong, Lee, Jin-Seok, Cho, Jung-Hyo et al.·Frontiers in pharmacology·2019

Researchers tested a herbal supplement called Myelophil (made from two plant extracts) in 97 people with ME/CFS over 12 weeks. Overall, the supplement didn't significantly reduce fatigue compared to placebo. However, in people with severe fatigue symptoms at the start, Myelophil did show meaningful improvement in fatigue levels and quality of life. The treatment was safe with no serious side effects reported.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM requiredRCT

B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Fluge, Øystein, Rekeland, Ingrid G, Lien, Katarina et al.·Annals of internal medicine·2019

Researchers tested whether a drug called rituximab, which reduces B cells (a type of immune cell), could help ME/CFS patients. Over 150 patients received either rituximab infusions or placebo over one year. Unexpectedly, the placebo group actually did slightly better than the treatment group, and neither group showed significant improvement in fatigue or function.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Rethinking the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome-a reanalysis and evaluation of findings from a recent major trial of graded exercise and CBT.

Wilshire, Carolyn E, Kindlon, Tom, Courtney, Robert et al.·BMC psychology·2018

This study re-examined a large, well-known trial called PACE that tested whether exercise therapy and talking therapy could help people with ME/CFS. When researchers checked the original study data using the methods that were promised before the trial started, they found much weaker benefits than originally reported. The treatments did not clearly work better than standard care, recovery rates were very low, and improvements seemed to fade after two years.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedCohortPEM requiredObservational

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS: A retrospective analysis

Staci R. Stevens, Christopher R. Snell, Jared N. Stevens et al.·Journal of Translational Medicine·2018·n=51

ME/CFS patients underwent two consecutive days of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). On the second day, patients showed significantly reduced VO2 max and anaerobic threshold compared to the first day — and compared to healthy and disease controls who recovered normally. This objective impairment matches the subjective PEM experience.

DiagnosticsPost-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

A randomised controlled trial of the monoaminergic stabiliser (-)-OSU6162 in treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nilsson, Marie Karin Lena, Zachrisson, Olof, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2018

Researchers tested a drug called (-)-OSU6162 to see if it could help people with ME/CFS feel less mentally tired. Sixty-two patients received either the drug or a placebo (dummy pill) for 2 weeks. While both groups felt somewhat better during treatment, the drug did not work significantly better than placebo overall. Interestingly, the drug appeared to help more in patients who were also taking antidepressants.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Efficacy of web-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

Janse, A, Worm-Smeitink, M, Bleijenberg, G et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2018

This study tested whether online cognitive-behavioural therapy (a type of talk therapy focused on thoughts and behaviours) could reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients. 240 people with ME/CFS were randomly assigned to receive online therapy with regular therapist check-ins, online therapy with check-ins only when needed, or a waiting list. Both online therapy groups showed significant improvements in fatigue compared to those who waited, and both worked equally well.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Influence of Morphine and Naloxone on Pain Modulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia, and Controls: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.

Hermans, Linda, Nijs, Jo, Calders, Patrick et al.·Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain·2018

This study tested whether morphine and naloxone (a drug that blocks opioid effects) change how pain is processed in people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and healthy controls. Researchers measured pain sensitivity and pain relief in response to these medications using pressure tests and ischemic pain. They found that morphine slightly reduced pain sensitivity in patient groups similarly to placebo, but neither morphine nor naloxone significantly changed how the body's natural pain-relief system worked.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cerebral Blood Flow and Heart Rate Variability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.

Malfliet, Anneleen, Pas, Roselien, Brouns, Raf et al.·Pain physician·2018

Researchers tested whether heart and blood vessel problems in ME/CFS patients explain their pain, fatigue, and concentration difficulties. They measured blood flow in the brain and heart rate patterns in 20 ME/CFS patients and 20 healthy people during mild exercise and stress. While both groups showed changes in these measurements during exercise, the ME/CFS patients did not show the normal pain relief response that healthy people had, suggesting their pain modulation system works differently—but this difference was not explained by the heart or blood flow measurements.

E1 ReplicatedCohortPEM unclearObservational

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Jose G. Montoya, Tyson H. Holmes, Jill N. Anderson et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)·2017·n=192

Stanford researchers measured 51 cytokines in 192 ME/CFS patients and 392 healthy controls. Seventeen cytokines were significantly elevated in ME/CFS, with TGF-beta most strongly associated with disease severity. More severe patients had higher cytokine levels, suggesting immune activation scales with illness burden.

Severe MEBiomarkersImmune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Muscle injections with lidocaine improve resting fatigue and pain in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Staud, Roland, Kizer, Taylor, Robinson, Michael E·Journal of pain research·2017

Researchers tested whether injecting a numbing medication (lidocaine) into muscles could help ME/CFS patients with fatigue and pain. Compared to a placebo injection, lidocaine injections did reduce fatigue more effectively, and both types of injections reduced pain, depression, and anxiety. This suggests that signals from muscles themselves may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Intermittent and graded exercise effects on NK cell degranulation markers LAMP-1/LAMP-2 and CD8+CD38+ in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Broadbent, Suzanne, Coutts, Rosanne·Physiological reports·2017

This study tested whether two types of exercise programs could help improve immune system function in ME/CFS patients. Twenty-four ME/CFS patients were assigned to either graded exercise, intermittent exercise, or usual care, and researchers measured specific immune cells before and after 12 weeks. Both exercise programs increased markers of natural killer cell activity without making symptoms worse, and improved patients' exercise capacity.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding combined with ginger-partitioned moxibustion on chronic fatigue syndrome of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and its effects on T lymphocyte subsets and activity of NK cell].

Xia, Depeng, Chen, Peifang, Du, Peixue et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2017

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese medicine treatment combining acupuncture with catgut embedding and ginger-based moxibustion could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The treatment group showed greater improvements in fatigue symptoms and immune system markers compared to people receiving standard acupuncture alone, with 96.7% reporting benefit.

Immune 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

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

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 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

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[Clinical research of auricular gold-needle therapy in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution].

Qigong exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rituximab for Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The effect of Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar) on fatigue: A randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The Efficacy and Safety of Myelophil, an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Rethinking the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome-a reanalysis and evaluation of findings from a recent major trial of graded exercise and CBT.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and post-exertional malaise in ME/CFS: A retrospective analysis

A randomised controlled trial of the monoaminergic stabiliser (-)-OSU6162 in treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Efficacy of web-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

Influence of Morphine and Naloxone on Pain Modulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia, and Controls: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.

Cerebral Blood Flow and Heart Rate Variability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Muscle injections with lidocaine improve resting fatigue and pain in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Intermittent and graded exercise effects on NK cell degranulation markers LAMP-1/LAMP-2 and CD8+CD38+ in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

[Efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding combined with ginger-partitioned moxibustion on chronic fatigue syndrome of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and its effects on T lymphocyte subsets and activity of NK cell].

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

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

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

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

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