ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2785 studies

2041–2060 of 2,785 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Cognitive behaviour group therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a non-randomised waiting list controlled study.

Bazelmans, E, Prins, J B, Lulofs, R et al.·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2005

This study tested whether cognitive behavior group therapy (CBGT)—a type of talk therapy done in groups—could help people with ME/CFS feel less fatigued and function better. Researchers compared 31 patients who received 12 sessions of CBGT over 6 months to 36 patients on a waiting list. They found the therapy had a modest benefit for fatigue but unexpectedly made functional problems slightly worse.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Spinal fluid abnormalities in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Natelson, Benjamin H, Weaver, Shelley A, Tseng, Chin-Lin et al.·Clinical and diagnostic laboratory immunology·2005

Researchers performed spinal taps on 44 ME/CFS patients and 13 healthy people to look for signs of brain inflammation. They found that 30% of ME/CFS patients had abnormal levels of white blood cells or proteins in their spinal fluid, compared to none in the healthy group. They also found that certain immune molecules were different in ME/CFS patients, particularly in those with sudden flu-like symptom onset. These results suggest that ME/CFS may involve real physical changes in the nervous system, not just psychological factors.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

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

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 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 requiredObservational

JP-8 jet fuel exposure and divided attention test performance in 1991 Gulf War veterans.

Bell, Iris R, Brooks, Audrey J, Baldwin, Carol M et al.·Aviation, space, and environmental medicine·2005

This study examined how exposure to low levels of jet fuel affected thinking and attention in Gulf War veterans who were chronically ill. Researchers tested veterans' reaction times on a computer task before and after brief exposures to either jet fuel fumes or clean air, done three times over three weeks. Veterans who were ill and had chemical sensitivities showed faster reaction times after jet fuel exposure, which the researchers suggest might indicate changes in brain chemistry rather than improved thinking.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Normal opioid tone and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome despite marked functional impairment.

Inder, Warrick J, Prickett, Timothy C R, Mulder, Roger T·Clinical endocrinology·2005

This study tested whether ME/CFS is caused by low levels of pain-relieving chemicals (opioids) in the brain or problems with the stress hormone system. Researchers measured hormone levels and responses in 12 ME/CFS patients and 11 healthy people, and found no differences between the groups, suggesting these hormonal systems are working normally in ME/CFS despite severe fatigue and physical limitations.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

[Effect of physical factors on bioelectric properties of cell nuclei of buccal epithelium in students with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Samoĭlovych, V A, Hutarieva, N V, Tondiĭ, L D·Likars'ka sprava·2005

Researchers studied 60 students with chronic fatigue syndrome at a health facility, dividing them into two groups receiving different types of physical activity: one group did water-based exercise therapy while the other did conventional exercise classes and contrast showers. By measuring changes in the electrical properties of cells from the mouth's lining, researchers found that the water-based therapy group showed improved electrical cell activity that matched their clinical improvement, suggesting physical treatments may help restore normal body function in ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome: exercise performance related to immune dysfunction.

Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira, McGregor, Neil R et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2005

This study looked at whether problems with the immune system might explain why people with ME/CFS feel exhausted after exercise and cannot exercise as much as healthy people. Researchers tested 16 ME/CFS patients' immune cells and had them exercise on a stationary bike while measuring their oxygen use and heart rate. They found that two specific immune markers—elastase and protein kinase R—were linked to reduced exercise capacity, suggesting immune dysfunction may play a role in abnormal exercise responses.

Immune System

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

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge.

Bowen, Jo, Pheby, Derek, Charlett, Andre et al.·Family practice·2005

This study asked general practitioners (GPs) in the UK what they knew about ME/CFS and how confident they felt diagnosing and treating it. About half of the GPs surveyed didn't feel confident making a diagnosis, and 41% didn't feel confident treating the condition. The study found that GPs who believed ME/CFS was a real medical condition had much more positive attitudes toward patients.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Subjective quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rakib, A, White, P D, Pinching, A J et al.·Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation·2005

This study asked 73 people with ME/CFS about their overall quality of life and how satisfied they felt with daily activities, leisure time, and finances. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS reported much lower quality of life than healthy people and even people with depression. Depressive symptoms were the strongest factor linked to poor quality of life, suggesting that treating depression alongside ME/CFS might help improve how patients feel about their lives.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lymphocyte subset differences in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and major depression.

Robertson, M J, Schacterle, R S, Mackin, G A et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2005

This study looked at immune cells in the blood of people with ME/CFS and compared them to people with depression, multiple sclerosis, and healthy individuals. While the total numbers of major immune cell types were similar across groups, researchers found differences in specific subtypes of these cells, particularly in natural killer cells. This suggests that ME/CFS may involve changes in how the immune system is organized, even if total cell counts appear normal.

Immune System

E2 ModerateMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Exercise responsive genes measured in peripheral blood of women with chronic fatigue syndrome and matched control subjects.

Whistler, Toni, Jones, James F, Unger, Elizabeth R et al.·BMC physiology·2005

Researchers studied women with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy women to look for biological markers of post-exertional malaise (when activity makes symptoms worse). They measured how genes 'turn on and off' in blood cells before and after exercise. The study found that genes related to ion transport and cellular functions behave differently in ME/CFS patients after exercise compared to healthy people.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Exercise and cognitive performance in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cook, Dane B, Nagelkirk, Paul R, Peckerman, Arnold et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2005

This study tested whether a 25-minute light exercise session affected thinking and memory skills in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS alone showed slower thinking speed and less consistent performance on cognitive tests compared to healthy people, but light exercise did not make their thinking worse. Interestingly, people with ME/CFS plus fibromyalgia did not show these cognitive problems.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Do support groups help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? A comparison of active and inactive members.

Friedberg, Fred, Leung, Debbie W, Quick, Joyce·The Journal of rheumatology·2005

This study asked people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia whether support groups helped them. Researchers found that active members valued support groups mostly for feeling understood and learning new information, though fewer felt the groups directly improved their illness. Interestingly, people who stayed active in groups reported worse symptoms than those who stopped attending, which may mean sicker people keep going or that something about the groups themselves affects outcomes.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Hyperventilation and amplified blood pressure response: is there a link?

Naschitz, J E, Mussafia-Priselac, R, Peck, E R et al.·Journal of human hypertension·2005

This study looked at whether rapid, shallow breathing (hyperventilation) causes blood pressure to rise when people change position, such as standing up. Researchers tested 320 patients with various conditions including ME/CFS using a tilt table test while measuring breathing CO2 levels. They found that hyperventilation during the test did not lead to higher blood pressure increases, suggesting that rapid breathing may not be the cause of blood pressure problems in these patient groups.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Time course of exercise induced alterations in daily activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Black, Christopher D, McCully, Kevin K·Dynamic medicine : DM·2005

This study tracked how much physical activity people with ME/CFS could do while following a walking program. Participants wore activity monitors for 4 weeks. They were able to meet their daily walking goals for the first 1-2 weeks, but then their activity levels dropped significantly and symptoms got worse, suggesting they had hit a limit their bodies could not sustain.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: results from a randomised trial.

Huibers, Marcus J H, Bleijenberg, Gijs, van Amelsvoort, Ludovic G P M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2004

This study followed 151 tired employees on sick leave for one year to see who recovered and who returned to work. The researchers found that about 43% of people stopped having persistent fatigue, and 62% went back to work. Interestingly, getting better from fatigue and returning to work were driven by different factors—people who recovered from fatigue tended to view their condition differently psychologically, while those who returned to work tended to be younger, male, and have fewer thinking/memory problems.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Study of immune alterations in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with different etiologies.

Racciatti, D, Dalessandro, M, Delle Donne, L et al.·International journal of immunopathology and pharmacology·2004

This study looked at immune system cells in people with ME/CFS to see if there were differences compared to healthy people. Researchers tested blood samples from 139 ME/CFS patients and 36 healthy controls, examining specific types of white blood cells. They found that people with ME/CFS had lower counts of certain immune cells, suggesting the immune system may play a role in causing or maintaining the condition.

Immune System

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Cognitive behaviour group therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: a non-randomised waiting list controlled study.

Spinal fluid abnormalities in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

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

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

JP-8 jet fuel exposure and divided attention test performance in 1991 Gulf War veterans.

Normal opioid tone and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome despite marked functional impairment.

[Effect of physical factors on bioelectric properties of cell nuclei of buccal epithelium in students with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Chronic fatigue syndrome: exercise performance related to immune dysfunction.

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

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a survey of GPs' attitudes and knowledge.

Subjective quality of life in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lymphocyte subset differences in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and major depression.

Exercise responsive genes measured in peripheral blood of women with chronic fatigue syndrome and matched control subjects.

Exercise and cognitive performance in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Do support groups help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? A comparison of active and inactive members.

Hyperventilation and amplified blood pressure response: is there a link?

Time course of exercise induced alterations in daily activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Predictors of outcome in fatigued employees on sick leave: results from a randomised trial.

Study of immune alterations in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with different etiologies.

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