ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2785 studies

1801–1820 of 2,785 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Further validation of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in a US adult population sample.

Lin, Jin-Mann S, Brimmer, Dana J, Maloney, Elizabeth M et al.·Population health metrics·2009

This study tested whether a 20-question fatigue measurement tool (the MFI-20) works well for people with ME/CFS and other chronic illnesses. Researchers gave the questionnaire to 783 people in Georgia—some with ME/CFS-like illness, some with chronic unwellness, and some who were healthy—and found that the tool reliably distinguished between these groups and accurately measured different types of fatigue.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

"Functional" or "psychosomatic" symptoms, e.g. a flu-like malaise, aches and pain and fatigue, are major features of major and in particular of melancholic depression.

Maes, Michael·Neuro endocrinology letters·2009

This study looked at whether depression and ME/CFS share similar physical symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain, and feeling like you have an infection. Researchers found that people with severe depression often experience these "body-centered" symptoms as a major part of their illness. The findings suggest that doctors should pay more attention to these physical symptoms when diagnosing and treating depression.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Psychiatric comorbidity in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the Georgia population.

Nater, Urs M, Lin, Jin-Mann S, Maloney, Elizabeth M et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2009

This study looked at how often people with ME/CFS also have psychiatric conditions like depression or anxiety. Researchers called random people in Georgia and invited those who were unwell to participate. They found that 57% of people with ME/CFS had at least one current psychiatric diagnosis, compared to 45% of people with similar but milder symptoms. Importantly, most people with ME/CFS who had these psychiatric conditions hadn't seen a mental health specialist in the past 6 months.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

High slow-wave sleep and low-light sleep: chronic fatigue syndrome is not likely to be a primary sleep disorder.

Neu, Daniel, Cappeliez, Bernard, Hoffmann, Guy et al.·Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society·2009

This study compared sleep patterns between people with ME/CFS and people with a primary sleep disorder (sleep apnea) to see if ME/CFS might actually be a sleep problem in disguise. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients have distinctly different sleep patterns—more deep sleep and fewer light sleep stages—compared to people with actual sleep disorders. This suggests ME/CFS is not primarily a sleep disorder, even though both conditions cause people to feel unrefreshed.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Longitudinal change in chronic fatigue syndrome: what home-based assessments reveal.

Friedberg, Fred, Sohl, Stephanie J·Journal of behavioral medicine·2009

This study followed 75 people with ME/CFS for 2 years and compared different ways of measuring how they were doing. Researchers used both traditional questionnaires and home-based measurements like activity trackers and daily fatigue diaries. They found that people who reported feeling better had lower fatigue levels and stood up more often at home, but these improvements didn't always show up on activity trackers or psychological tests.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Use of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) for assessment of personality in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Van Campen, Elise, Van Den Eede, Filip, Moorkens, Greta et al.·Psychosomatics·2009

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have certain personality traits that might be connected to their illness. Researchers gave a personality questionnaire to 38 people with ME/CFS and 42 healthy people, and found that those with ME/CFS scored higher on two traits: being cautious about potential harm and being persistent in their efforts. The findings suggest that these personality characteristics might play a role in how ME/CFS develops or continues.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Unexplained chronic fatigue and interpersonal problems: a study in a primary care population.

Vandenbergen, Jan, Vanheule, Stijn, Desmet, Mattias et al.·International journal of psychiatry in medicine·2009

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS experience more social withdrawal and interpersonal difficulties than people with other health conditions. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients reported much higher fatigue levels and were more likely to withdraw from social activities compared to people with minor illnesses. Interestingly, doctors and patients often disagreed about how motivated patients were, which may contribute to patients feeling misunderstood and isolated.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Vaccination as teenagers against meningococcal disease and the risk of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Magnus, Per, Brubakk, Oddbjørn, Nyland, Harald et al.·Vaccine·2009

This study investigated whether a meningococcal vaccine given to teenagers in Norway in 1988-1989 was linked to the later development of ME/CFS. Researchers compared 201 people diagnosed with ME/CFS to 389 people without the condition and found no meaningful difference in vaccination rates between the two groups. The findings suggest that receiving this particular vaccine as a teenager does not increase the risk of developing ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The relationship of Fennell phases to symptoms among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reynolds, Nadia L, Brown, Molly M, Jason, Leonard A·Evaluation & the health professions·2009

This study looked at whether ME/CFS symptoms change over time in predictable phases. Researchers used a questionnaire called the Fennell Phase Inventory to sort 111 patients into three groups: those in crisis (worst symptoms), stabilization (middle ground), or resolution (improving). They found that patients in the crisis phase had more depression, anxiety, worse quality of life, and used less helpful coping strategies—like avoidance—compared to those improving or stable.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Sleep apnea and psychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Libman, Eva, Creti, Laura, Baltzan, Marcel et al.·Journal of health psychology·2009

This study looked at whether sleep apnea (a condition where breathing stops and starts during sleep) is common in people with ME/CFS and how it affects mood and psychological well-being. The researchers found that 68% of ME/CFS patients had sleep apnea, but those who did were not significantly more ill than those without it. Both the ME/CFS and sleep apnea groups showed more psychological difficulties than healthy controls, but the researchers suggest these emotional struggles are likely a natural response to living with a chronic illness rather than a separate psychiatric condition.

SleepDiagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The role of coping in the relationship between depression and illness severity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Walker, Karen, Lindner, Helen, Noonan, Michelle·Journal of allied health·2009

This study looked at how depression and coping strategies affect how severely people with ME/CFS feel their illness impacts them. Researchers surveyed 156 ME/CFS patients about their mood, how they cope with their condition, and how they perceive their illness severity. They found that how patients cope—especially seeking social support and finding positive ways to think about their situation—may be just as important as treating depression when it comes to how sick people feel.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The doctor-patient relationship in chronic fatigue syndrome: survey of patient perspectives.

Van Hoof, Elke·Quality in primary care·2009

This study surveyed 177 ME/CFS patients about their experiences with their doctors. The researchers found that most general practitioners (GPs) do not feel confident diagnosing or treating ME/CFS, and patients often felt their doctors did not understand their condition. Poor communication and lack of GP knowledge about ME/CFS led many patients to feel unsupported and unheard in medical appointments.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents: do parental expectations of their child's intellectual ability match the child's ability?

Godfrey, Emma, Cleare, Anthony, Coddington, Alice et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2009

This study looked at whether parents of teenagers with ME/CFS have unrealistic expectations about their child's intellectual abilities compared to parents of healthy teenagers. Researchers tested the actual IQ of 28 teenagers with ME/CFS and 29 healthy teenagers, and also asked them and their parents what they thought their abilities were. They found that parents of teenagers with ME/CFS believed their children were more intelligent than they actually tested, more so than parents of healthy teenagers did.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Allodynia in migraine: association with comorbid pain conditions.

Tietjen, Gretchen E, Brandes, Jan L, Peterlin, B Lee et al.·Headache·2009

This study looked at how often migraine patients experience allodynia—pain or discomfort from things that normally wouldn't hurt, like light touch on the skin. The researchers found that 60% of migraine patients had at least one allodynic symptom, and those with allodynia were much more likely to also have other chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as depression and anxiety.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Risk markers for both chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes: a prospective case-control study in primary care.

Hamilton, W T, Gallagher, A M, Thomas, J M et al.·Psychological medicine·2009

This study looked at whether ME/CFS and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) share common triggers or underlying causes. Researchers compared nearly 4,400 patients with fatigue syndromes to two control groups and found that infections—especially viral infections—appeared before ME/CFS developed, while stomach infections were more common before IBS. The findings suggest that while both conditions may have similar predisposing factors, the specific triggers that cause them to develop are different.

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Clinical assessment of the physical activity pattern of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a validation of three methods.

Scheeres, Korine, Knoop, Hans, Meer, van der Jos et al.·Health and quality of life outcomes·2009

This study tested three different ways to measure physical activity patterns in ME/CFS patients to see which method works best. Researchers compared a clinical interview, two questionnaires, and an objective activity monitor (actometer) in 226 patients. All three methods were reasonably accurate but had significant errors, and the questionnaire called IPAQ was best at identifying patients with low activity levels, which is important for treatment planning.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children aged 11 years old and younger.

Davies, S, Crawley, E·Archives of disease in childhood·2008

This study looked at young children under age 12 with ME/CFS at a specialist clinic in Bath, UK. The researchers found that even very young children (including one as young as 2 years old) can have ME/CFS and experience severe disability, with symptoms almost identical to those seen in teenagers. Children in this age group attended school only about 40% of the time on average and reported high levels of fatigue and pain.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional incapacity and physical and psychological symptoms: how they interconnect in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Priebe, Stefan, Fakhoury, Walid K H, Henningsen, Peter·Psychopathology·2008

This study asked whether the difficulty ME/CFS patients have doing daily activities is mainly caused by physical symptoms rather than emotional or psychological problems. Researchers surveyed 73 ME/CFS patients and analyzed their responses using statistical methods. They found that physical symptoms and loss of functioning clustered together as one main problem, while psychological symptoms formed a separate group, suggesting that the loss of ability to function is a core feature of ME/CFS driven primarily by physical symptoms.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

A longitudinal study of the relationship between psychological distress and recurrence of upper respiratory tract infections in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Faulkner, Susan, Smith, Andrew·British journal of health psychology·2008

This study tracked 21 ME/CFS patients and 18 healthy people over 15 weeks to see if stress affects how often they catch colds and respiratory infections. ME/CFS patients caught infections much more frequently than healthy people, and importantly, high stress levels in one week predicted who would get sick the next week. The same stress also made their fatigue symptoms worse.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Neurocognitive and functional outcomes in persons recovering from West Nile virus illness.

Sejvar, James J, Curns, Aaron T, Welburg, Leonie et al.·Journal of neuropsychology·2008

This study looked at 54 people who had recovered from West Nile virus infection about 1.5 years after getting sick. Researchers tested their memory, thinking skills, and quality of life. They found that half of the mildly ill patients and three-quarters of those with more severe illness still had ongoing symptoms and problems with daily functioning, even though most performed normally on formal cognitive tests.

Cognitive Impairment

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Evidence browser

Further validation of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory in a US adult population sample.

"Functional" or "psychosomatic" symptoms, e.g. a flu-like malaise, aches and pain and fatigue, are major features of major and in particular of melancholic depression.

Psychiatric comorbidity in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome identified from the Georgia population.

High slow-wave sleep and low-light sleep: chronic fatigue syndrome is not likely to be a primary sleep disorder.

Longitudinal change in chronic fatigue syndrome: what home-based assessments reveal.

Use of the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) for assessment of personality in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Unexplained chronic fatigue and interpersonal problems: a study in a primary care population.

Vaccination as teenagers against meningococcal disease and the risk of the chronic fatigue syndrome.

The relationship of Fennell phases to symptoms among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sleep apnea and psychological functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The role of coping in the relationship between depression and illness severity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The doctor-patient relationship in chronic fatigue syndrome: survey of patient perspectives.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in adolescents: do parental expectations of their child's intellectual ability match the child's ability?

Allodynia in migraine: association with comorbid pain conditions.

Risk markers for both chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes: a prospective case-control study in primary care.

Clinical assessment of the physical activity pattern of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a validation of three methods.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in children aged 11 years old and younger.

Functional incapacity and physical and psychological symptoms: how they interconnect in chronic fatigue syndrome.

A longitudinal study of the relationship between psychological distress and recurrence of upper respiratory tract infections in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neurocognitive and functional outcomes in persons recovering from West Nile virus illness.

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