ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2795 studies

1641–1660 of 2,795 studies

E2 ModerateGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

How to explain central sensitization to patients with 'unexplained' chronic musculoskeletal pain: practice guidelines.

Nijs, Jo, Paul van Wilgen, C, Van Oosterwijck, Jessica et al.·Manual therapy·2011

Central sensitization is a condition where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals, making people feel pain from things that normally wouldn't hurt. This guideline explains that teaching patients about how their nervous system works—called pain physiology education—can help them understand their pain and feel better. The education works best when delivered in face-to-face sessions with written materials, and it has helped people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other long-term pain conditions.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.

Lombardi, Vincent C, Hagen, Kathryn S, Hunter, Kenneth W et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2011

This 2011 study looked for a specific virus (XMRV) in the blood of ME/CFS patients and measured immune system chemicals called cytokines and chemokines. Researchers found a distinctive pattern of 10 immune chemicals that could identify XMRV-positive patients with very high accuracy (93-96%), suggesting that this virus may trigger a particular type of immune response in some people with ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Meeus, Mira, van Eupen, Inge, van Baarle, Ellen et al.·Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation·2011

This study tracked physical activity and daily symptoms in 67 women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women who were not very active. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients were generally less active overall, but surprisingly, on days when patients were more active, they experienced more symptoms and greater symptom fluctuations the same day and the next day. Conversely, patients had fewer symptom changes on days when they stayed more sedentary and spread their limited activity throughout the day.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Cognitive dysfunction and mental fatigue in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome--a 6-month follow-up study.

Kawatani, Junko, Mizuno, Kei, Shiraishi, Seishi et al.·Brain & development·2011

This study looked at thinking and attention problems in children with ME/CFS using a specialized test that measures how quickly and accurately the brain can process information. Children with ME/CFS performed worse on attention tasks compared to healthy children, especially when they had to switch between different tasks. After 6 months of combined treatment with therapy and medication, children showed improvements in both their thinking ability and fatigue levels.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

What stops children with a chronic illness accessing health care: a mixed methods study in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Webb, Carly M, Collin, Simon M, Deave, Toity et al.·BMC health services research·2011

Children with ME/CFS are waiting much longer than recommended to see a specialist—the typical wait is 18 months, while guidelines suggest assessment should happen within 3-6 months. This study found that many GPs and other doctors don't know enough about ME/CFS or how to refer children properly, and some had negative attitudes toward the condition. Parents also found it hard to explain an 'invisible' illness to healthcare providers, which delayed their children from getting the specialist care they needed.

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Measuring disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: reliability and validity of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale.

Cella, Matteo, Sharpe, Michael, Chalder, Trudie·Journal of psychosomatic research·2011

This study tested whether a simple questionnaire called the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) accurately measures how much ME/CFS affects a person's daily life and ability to work. Researchers gave this questionnaire to over 1,000 ME/CFS patients and found it was reliable and valid—meaning it consistently measured disability and actually reflected real-world functioning.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The pathway from glandular fever to chronic fatigue syndrome: can the cognitive behavioural model provide the map?

Moss-Morris, R, Spence, M J, Hou, R·Psychological medicine·2011

This study followed 246 people with glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) to see who developed chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in the months after infection. The researchers found that certain psychological factors—like anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and negative beliefs about the illness—were associated with developing CFS. Interestingly, an 'all-or-nothing' approach to activity (pushing hard then stopping completely) was the strongest predictor of CFS at 6 months.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

No Evidence of XMRV or MuLV Sequences in Prostate Cancer, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, or the UK Blood Donor Population.

Robinson, Mark James, Tuke, Philip William, Erlwein, Otto et al.·Advances in virology·2011

This study tested whether XMRV (a virus that was claimed to cause ME/CFS) could be found in prostate cancer patients, lymphoma patients, and healthy blood donors in the UK. Researchers looked for genetic traces of the virus using sensitive laboratory tests. They found no evidence that XMRV or related viruses were actually infecting these groups of people.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Increased tenderness in the left third intercostal space in adult patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis: a controlled study.

Puri, B K, Gunatilake, K D R, Fernando, K A C et al.·The Journal of international medical research·2011

Researchers examined the chests of 42 people with ME/CFS and 20 healthy people to look for physical signs. They found that 81% of people with ME/CFS had tenderness (pain when touched) in a specific area on the left side of their rib cage, while none of the healthy people had this tenderness. This suggests there may be a consistent physical finding that doctors could potentially use to help identify ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Therapist effects in routine psychotherapy practice: an account from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cella, Matteo, Stahl, Daniel, Reme, Silje Endresen et al.·Psychotherapy research : journal of the Society for Psychotherapy Research·2011

This study looked at whether it matters which therapist treats patients with ME/CFS when they receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Researchers tracked 374 ME/CFS patients treated by 12 different therapists in a specialized clinic and measured changes in fatigue and disability. They found that while patients improved overall, the individual therapist made almost no difference in outcomes—the patients' improvements were similar regardless of which qualified therapist treated them.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Evidence for a heritable predisposition to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Albright, Frederick, Light, Kathleen, Light, Alan et al.·BMC neurology·2011

This study looked at family medical records in Utah to see whether ME/CFS runs in families. Researchers found that relatives of people with ME/CFS were significantly more likely to also have ME/CFS than would be expected by chance. These findings suggest that genetics plays a role in who develops ME/CFS, though having a relative with the condition doesn't mean you will definitely get it.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Lack of Detection of Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus in HIV-1 Lymphoma Patients.

Delviks-Frankenberry, Krista A, Chaipan, Chawaree, Bagni, Rachel et al.·Advances in virology·2011

Researchers tested whether a virus called XMRV, which had been proposed as a possible cause of ME/CFS, was present in HIV-positive patients who developed lymphoma (a type of cancer). They checked blood samples from 26 patients using three different detection methods, but did not find any evidence of XMRV. This suggests that XMRV is not associated with lymphomas that develop in people with HIV.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

What to do about attention and memory problems in children with CFS/ME: a neuropsychological approach.

Tucker, Peter, Haig-Ferguson, Andrew, Eaton, Nicola et al.·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2011

Children with ME/CFS often experience problems with concentration, attention, and memory—difficulties that go beyond normal tiredness. This study tested children's attention and memory abilities and found they scored lower than expected on tasks involving sustained focus, switching between tasks, and remembering new information. The researchers suggest practical strategies that could help children manage these cognitive challenges in daily life.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Interpersonal problems in alexithymia: A study in three primary care groups.

Vanheule, Stijn, Vandenbergen, Jan, Verhaeghe, Paul et al.·Psychology and psychotherapy·2010

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have difficulty recognizing and talking about their emotions (a condition called alexithymia), and whether this connects to how they interact with others. Researchers compared 52 ME/CFS patients with two other groups: 52 people with heart or autoimmune diseases, and 51 people with minor health problems. They found that ME/CFS patients and those with chronic diseases struggled more with identifying emotions and tended to have more distant or self-centered relationships compared to those with minor illnesses.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lipid peroxidation is elevated in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brkic, Snezana, Tomic, Slavica, Maric, Daniela et al.·Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research·2010

This study found that women with ME/CFS have higher levels of a harmful substance called malondialdehyde (MDA), which is produced when the body experiences oxidative stress—like cellular damage from free radicals. The researchers also found that women with ME/CFS had lower levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL) and higher triglycerides, patterns usually seen in people at risk for heart disease. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may be contributing to ME/CFS in ways that could affect heart health.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

New dimensions of abnormal illness behaviour derived from the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire.

Prior, Kirsty N, Bond, Malcolm J·Psychology & health·2010

Researchers tested a questionnaire that measures how people respond to and think about illness. They gave the questionnaire to 675 people, including 77 with ME/CFS, to see if it could identify different patterns of illness-related thoughts and behaviors. They found three main patterns: how much people affirm their illness, how concerned they are about their health, and their overall emotional state.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A formal analysis of cytokine networks in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Broderick, Gordon, Fuite, Jim, Kreitz, Andrea et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2010

Researchers studied immune system chemicals called cytokines in people with ME/CFS and healthy controls to understand how their immune systems differ. Instead of looking at single markers, they examined how 16 different cytokines work together as networks. They found that people with ME/CFS have a very different immune system pattern—like a hub with one central point—compared to the more balanced network in healthy people.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a follow-up study.

van Geelen, Stefan M, Bakker, Rob J, Kuis, Wietse et al.·Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine·2010

This study followed 54 teenagers with ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) for about 2 years to see how they were doing. About half of the teens improved significantly, but the other half remained severely fatigued and physically limited. Teens who were older when they first got sick, had pain, struggled with mental health, or felt poorly about themselves were less likely to recover.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Biomarkers in chronic fatigue syndrome: evaluation of natural killer cell function and dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26.

Fletcher, Mary A, Zeng, Xiao R, Maher, Kevin et al.·PloS one·2010

This study tested whether two immune system markers could reliably identify ME/CFS patients. Researchers measured natural killer (NK) cell function—a type of immune cell that fights infections—and CD26, a protein found on immune cells. They found that ME/CFS patients had lower NK cell function and different patterns of CD26 compared to healthy people, suggesting these markers could potentially help diagnose the condition.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Detailed analysis of health status of Q fever patients 1 year after the first Dutch outbreak: a case-control study.

Limonard, G J M, Peters, J B, Nabuurs-Franssen, M H et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2010

This study looked at people who had Q fever (a bacterial infection) during an outbreak in the Netherlands and checked how they were doing about a year later. Compared to people who never had Q fever, the infected patients reported significantly more fatigue, symptoms, and problems with daily functioning. About half of the Q fever patients experienced severe fatigue, which is notably higher than in the comparison group.

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How to explain central sensitization to patients with 'unexplained' chronic musculoskeletal pain: practice guidelines.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.

Symptom fluctuations and daily physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study.

Cognitive dysfunction and mental fatigue in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome--a 6-month follow-up study.

What stops children with a chronic illness accessing health care: a mixed methods study in children with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Measuring disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: reliability and validity of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale.

The pathway from glandular fever to chronic fatigue syndrome: can the cognitive behavioural model provide the map?

No Evidence of XMRV or MuLV Sequences in Prostate Cancer, Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma, or the UK Blood Donor Population.

Increased tenderness in the left third intercostal space in adult patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis: a controlled study.

Therapist effects in routine psychotherapy practice: an account from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Evidence for a heritable predisposition to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lack of Detection of Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus in HIV-1 Lymphoma Patients.

What to do about attention and memory problems in children with CFS/ME: a neuropsychological approach.

Interpersonal problems in alexithymia: A study in three primary care groups.

Lipid peroxidation is elevated in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

New dimensions of abnormal illness behaviour derived from the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire.

A formal analysis of cytokine networks in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a follow-up study.

Biomarkers in chronic fatigue syndrome: evaluation of natural killer cell function and dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26.

Detailed analysis of health status of Q fever patients 1 year after the first Dutch outbreak: a case-control study.

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