ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2785 studies

2001–2020 of 2,785 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Clinical observation on effect of electro-acupuncture on back-shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome].

Wang, Qian, Xiong, Jia-xuan·Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine·2005

This study tested whether a type of acupuncture called electro-acupuncture (using small electrical currents with acupuncture needles) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) feel less tired and have fewer symptoms. Forty patients received treatment targeting specific acupuncture points on the back, and researchers measured their fatigue and symptom levels before and after treatment. The results showed that fatigue and symptoms improved significantly after the treatment.

Interventions

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The relationships among coping styles and fatigue in an ethnically diverse sample.

Njoku, Mary Gloria C, Jason, Leonard A, Torres-Harding, Susan R·Ethnicity & health·2005

This study looked at how people from different ethnic backgrounds (African Americans, Latinos, and European Americans) cope with ME/CFS and chronic fatigue. Researchers asked patients about their coping strategies—like turning to religion, staying active, accepting their illness, or focusing on their symptoms. The study found that different ethnic groups tend to use different coping strategies, and some approaches (like denial) seemed to be less helpful across all groups.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The definition of disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Fowler, Tom, Duthie, Pamela, Thapar, Anita et al.·BMC family practice·2005

This study looked at how disabling fatigue in children and teens should be defined, since the current definition used for adults might not fit young people well. Researchers found that children with disabling fatigue that didn't quite meet the strict adult criteria still suffered just as much and missed just as much school as those who did meet the strict criteria. The study suggests that doctors should use a broader, less restrictive definition to catch all children who need help.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Children and adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in non-specialist settings: beliefs, functional impairment and psychiatric disturbance.

Richards, Josephine, Turk, Jeremy, White, Sarah·European child & adolescent psychiatry·2005

This study looked at 30 children and teenagers with ME/CFS who were seen in regular medical clinics (not specialist ME/CFS centers) and compared them to 30 young people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Young people with ME/CFS had much higher rates of emotional and psychiatric symptoms, missed far more school, and strongly preferred rest over exercise compared to those with IBD. The study found that children and adolescents with ME/CFS experience significant disability and psychological distress.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Evaluation of autoantibodies to common and neuronal cell antigens in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Vernon, Suzanne D, Reeves, William C·Journal of autoimmune diseases·2005

Researchers tested blood samples from people with ME/CFS and healthy controls to look for autoantibodies—proteins the immune system makes that can attack the body's own cells. They found that some people with ME/CFS had higher levels of antibodies against two specific targets: a brain protein called MAP2 and a component of DNA. However, most common autoantibodies were not elevated in ME/CFS patients.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Plasma and urinary carnitine and acylcarnitines in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jones, Mark G, Goodwin, C Stewart, Amjad, Saira et al.·Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry·2005

Researchers tested whether people with ME/CFS have low levels of carnitine, a substance that helps muscles produce energy. They compared blood and urine samples from 31 ME/CFS patients with samples from healthy people and patients with other conditions. The study found no significant differences in carnitine levels between the groups, suggesting that low carnitine is not responsible for the fatigue experienced by ME/CFS patients.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Orthostatic instability in a population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jones, James F, Nicholson, Ainsley, Nisenbaum, Rosane et al.·The American journal of medicine·2005

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have problems with their body's ability to regulate blood pressure and heart rate when changing positions (like standing up). Researchers compared 58 people with ME/CFS to 55 healthy people using a tilt table test. Surprisingly, they found that both groups had similar rates of these problems, suggesting that this particular type of autonomic dysfunction may not be a primary cause of ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with antibiotics: pilot study assessing the involvement of Coxiella burnetii infection.

Iwakami, Etsuko, Arashima, Yasutomo, Kato, Kimitoshi et al.·Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)·2005

Researchers tested whether a specific bacterium called Coxiella burnetii might be causing ME/CFS by treating infected patients with antibiotics. While the antibiotics successfully cleared the infection in all patients tested, symptoms like fever, headache, and fatigue did not improve in the ME/CFS group—though they did improve significantly in patients who had post-Q fever fatigue syndrome (a related condition). This suggests that even though some ME/CFS patients carry this bacterium, it may not be the main cause of their illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Is chronic fatigue syndrome a connective tissue disorder? A cross-sectional study in adolescents.

van de Putte, E M, Uiterwaal, C S P M, Bots, M L et al.·Pediatrics·2005

Researchers investigated whether ME/CFS is related to loose or stretchy connective tissue (the material that holds joints, skin, and blood vessels together). They compared 32 adolescents with ME/CFS to 167 healthy teenagers and measured joint flexibility, blood pressure, skin stretchiness, and blood vessel stiffness. While they found some differences—including lower blood pressure and stretchier skin in the ME/CFS group—they did not find the joint hypermobility that would be expected if ME/CFS were a connective tissue disorder.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

GB virus-C--a virus without a disease: we cannot give it chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jones, James F, Kulkarni, Prasad S, Butera, Salvatore T et al.·BMC infectious diseases·2005

This study investigated whether a virus called GB virus-C (GBV-C) might be a cause of ME/CFS. Researchers tested blood samples from CFS patients and healthy controls for signs of current or past GBV-C infection. They found no significant difference between the two groups, leading them to conclude that GBV-C is unlikely to be responsible for causing ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.

Nijs, Jo, Van de Putte, Karen, Louckx, Fred et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2005

This study looked at whether exercise tests and questionnaires could predict which ME/CFS patients could work. Researchers tested 54 employed patients with ME/CFS and asked them about their work status and quality of life. They found that while some measures weakly related to employment, neither exercise testing nor self-reported disability measures were strong enough to reliably predict who could work.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The prevalence of self-reported chronic fatigue in a U.S. twin registry.

Furberg, Helena, Olarte, Megan, Afari, Niloo et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2005

This study looked at how common fatigue-related illnesses are among twins in the United States and found that fatigue symptoms are quite common, affecting over one-third of people at some point in their lives. Women were 2-3 times more likely to report fatigue than men, and women typically experienced it at younger ages. People with chronic fatigue had significantly worse quality of life and more additional symptoms than those without fatigue.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Cognitive function and psychological characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Li, Yong-jie, Gao, Xu-guang, Wang, De-Xin et al.·Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2005

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects thinking and memory in 91 Chinese patients compared to 30 healthy people. Researchers found that 90% of ME/CFS patients had problems with memory and attention, and most also experienced depression, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts. The results show that ME/CFS causes real cognitive problems that are different from those seen in psychiatric illnesses alone.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Increased daily physical activity and fatigue symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Black, Christopher D, O'connor, Patrick J, McCully, Kevin K·Dynamic medicine : DM·2005

This small study asked 6 people with ME/CFS to increase their daily walking by about 30% for 4 weeks and tracked how they felt. Unlike some previous research suggesting exercise helps, these patients reported that their muscle pain and mood actually got worse with more activity, even though they were able to increase their activity level. The researchers suggest that people with ME/CFS may have a daily limit to how much activity they can do before symptoms worsen.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The epidemiology of chronic fatigue in the Swedish Twin Registry.

Evengård, Birgitta, Jacks, Andreas, Pedersen, Nancy L et al.·Psychological medicine·2005

This Swedish study contacted over 31,000 people and found that about 2.4% had symptoms matching chronic fatigue syndrome. Women were nearly four times more likely to have these symptoms than men. The researchers were surprised to find that ME/CFS may be more common than doctors previously thought.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: analysis of 82 cases].

Li, Yong-Jie, Wang, De-Xin, Bai, Xiao-Li et al.·Zhonghua yi xue za zhi·2005

This study examined 82 Chinese patients with ME/CFS to understand what symptoms they experience and what might be causing their illness. Researchers found that most patients had memory and attention problems alongside fatigue, many showed signs of anxiety or depression, and some had low levels of a substance called L-carnitine (which helps produce energy) or evidence of a viral infection. When patients took L-carnitine supplements, their levels improved and symptoms got better.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[A preliminary epidemiological study and discussion on traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong].

Yiu, Yan-Mun, Qiu, Ming-Yi·Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine·2005

This study surveyed over 1,000 adults in Hong Kong to see how common ME/CFS is and how it appears according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles. Researchers found that about 6.4% of adults aged 20-50 met ME/CFS diagnostic criteria. According to TCM assessment, most patients showed patterns related to low energy reserves and poor circulation, with symptoms including fatigue, weak knees, poor sleep, and memory problems.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome of childhood. Comparative study with emotional disorders.

Garralda, M Elena, Rangel, Luiza·European child & adolescent psychiatry·2005

This study compared children diagnosed with ME/CFS to children with emotional disorders like anxiety and depression to see how these conditions differ. While both groups of children experienced some similar emotional challenges, children with ME/CFS reported more severe tiredness and physical symptoms, and were more likely to have had infections or medical problems before getting sick. The results show that ME/CFS and emotional disorders can look similar in some ways but have important differences.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Exercise capacity and immune function in male and female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Snell, Christopher R, Vanness, J Mark, Strayer, David R et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2005

This study looked at whether a specific immune system problem affects how much exercise people with ME/CFS can do. Researchers tested 106 ME/CFS patients (35 men and 71 women) on exercise machines and found that patients with abnormal immune activity had noticeably lower exercise capacity than those with normal immune function. The difference was about the same for both men and women.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Reliability of physiological, psychological, and cognitive variables in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wallman, Karen E, Morton, Alan R, Goodman, Carmel et al.·Research in sports medicine (Print)·2005

Researchers tested whether measurements of fatigue, mood, thinking ability, and physical performance in ME/CFS patients were reliable when checked weekly over four weeks. Most measurements were reliable and consistent, but fatigue ratings—both mental and physical—varied too much week-to-week to be fully trusted. Interestingly, how well people performed during exercise didn't match up well with their reported depression or mood, suggesting the problem may be in how the brain processes fatigue rather than actual muscle weakness.

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[Clinical observation on effect of electro-acupuncture on back-shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome].

The relationships among coping styles and fatigue in an ethnically diverse sample.

The definition of disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Children and adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in non-specialist settings: beliefs, functional impairment and psychiatric disturbance.

Evaluation of autoantibodies to common and neuronal cell antigens in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Plasma and urinary carnitine and acylcarnitines in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Orthostatic instability in a population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with antibiotics: pilot study assessing the involvement of Coxiella burnetii infection.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome a connective tissue disorder? A cross-sectional study in adolescents.

GB virus-C--a virus without a disease: we cannot give it chronic fatigue syndrome.

Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.

The prevalence of self-reported chronic fatigue in a U.S. twin registry.

[Cognitive function and psychological characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Increased daily physical activity and fatigue symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The epidemiology of chronic fatigue in the Swedish Twin Registry.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: analysis of 82 cases].

[A preliminary epidemiological study and discussion on traditional Chinese medicine pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong].

Chronic fatigue syndrome of childhood. Comparative study with emotional disorders.

Exercise capacity and immune function in male and female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Reliability of physiological, psychological, and cognitive variables in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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