ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2784 studies

761–780 of 2,784 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Validation of the Severity of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Other Measures than History: Activity Bracelet, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and a Validated Activity Questionnaire: SF-36.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Rowe, Peter C, Visser, Frans C·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study tested whether doctors can accurately grade how severe a patient's ME/CFS is based on what patients tell them. Researchers compared clinical severity grades (mild, moderate, or severe) with three objective measures: a questionnaire about physical function, a wristband that counts daily steps, and a heart/lung exercise test. The results confirmed that the clinical grades matched up well with these objective measurements, suggesting that doctors' assessments based on patient reports are reasonably accurate.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Prediction of Discontinuation of Structured Exercise Programme in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Kujawski, Sławomir, Cossington, Jo, Słomko, Joanna et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This study looked at why some people with ME/CFS could complete a gradual exercise programme while others had to stop. Researchers measured several body functions—like nervous system activity, reaction time, and heart rate—before the programme started. They found that people whose bodies showed higher stress responses and slower reaction times were more likely to drop out of the exercise programme.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Signs of Intracranial Hypertension, Hypermobility, and Craniocervical Obstructions in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Bragée, Björn, Michos, Anastasios, Drum, Brandon et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2020

Researchers studied 229 people with severe ME/CFS to see if three physical conditions—unusual flexibility in joints, increased pressure around the brain, and blockages in the neck—might be connected to ME/CFS symptoms. They found these conditions were much more common in ME/CFS patients than in the general population. The study suggests these physical changes could help explain why people with ME/CFS experience their symptoms, though more research is needed to confirm this connection.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Health-related quality of life in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an Australian cross-sectional study.

Eaton-Fitch, N, Johnston, S C, Zalewski, P et al.·Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation·2020

This Australian study of 480 people with ME/CFS found that the condition severely impacts quality of life across all major areas—physical functioning, emotional well-being, pain, and energy levels. People with ME/CFS scored much lower on quality of life measures compared to the general population, with the lowest scores for physical activities and fatigue. The study identified specific symptoms like cognitive difficulties, sleep problems, and cardiovascular issues that are most strongly linked to reduced quality of life.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Evaluation of Fatigue in Cancer Patients in An Area Affected by The Great East Japan Earthquake.

Sato, Daisuke·Asia-Pacific journal of oncology nursing·2020

This study looked at fatigue in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy who lived in an area affected by a major earthquake in Japan. Researchers measured both what patients reported about their tiredness and objective measurements of nervous system function and activity levels. The main finding was that patients showed changes in how their nervous system was functioning, with their stress-response system becoming more dominant over time.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Attentional Processing and Interpretative Bias in Functional Neurological Disorder.

Keynejad, Roxanne C, Fenby, Edward, Pick, Susannah et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2020

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS and a related condition called functional neurological disorder (FND) process information and interpret bodily sensations differently than healthy people. Researchers gave participants three types of tests: one measuring whether they automatically notice illness-related information, another testing how well they can control their attention, and a third examining whether they interpret unclear bodily sensations as signs of illness. The findings suggest that both ME/CFS and FND involve similar difficulties with attention control and a tendency to interpret bodily sensations as illness-related.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Bynke, Annie, Julin, Per, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

Researchers tested blood and spinal fluid samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for certain antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack nerve receptors in the body. They found higher levels of some of these antibodies in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, particularly antibodies targeting muscarinic receptors (involved in nerve signaling). However, the amount of these antibodies did not match how severe patients' symptoms were.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lande, Asgeir, Fluge, Øystein, Strand, Elin B et al.·Scientific reports·2020

Researchers studied immune system markers called HLA alleles in 426 Norwegian ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy controls. They found that two specific immune markers (HLA-C*07:04 and HLA-DQB1*03:03) were more common in ME/CFS patients than in healthy people, suggesting the immune system may play a role in developing ME/CFS. About 1 in 5 ME/CFS patients carried one or both of these markers, compared to 1 in 8 healthy people.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Hemodynamics during the 10-minute NASA Lean Test: evidence of circulatory decompensation in a subset of ME/CFS patients.

Lee, Jihyun, Vernon, Suzanne D, Jeys, Patricia et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study tested a simple 10-minute standing test called the NASA Lean Test in ME/CFS patients to understand heart and blood vessel problems that cause dizziness and weakness. Researchers found that patients who became sick more recently (within 4 years) showed signs of circulation problems during the test—their hearts beat faster and their blood pressure changed abnormally—while those sick for over 10 years showed fewer of these changes. The NASA Lean Test appears to be a useful tool that doctors can use to diagnose and monitor these circulation problems.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Post-exertional symptoms distinguish Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome subjects from healthy controls.

Mateo, Lariel J, Chu, Lily, Stevens, Staci et al.·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study looked at how ME/CFS patients and healthy people felt after doing a hard exercise test. ME/CFS patients experienced many more symptoms afterward—an average of 14 different types—compared to healthy people who reported only 4. Importantly, ME/CFS patients continued having symptoms for up to a week after exercise, while healthy controls had none. The most common symptoms were fatigue, brain fog, and sleep problems.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The unifying diagnostic construct of bodily distress syndrome (BDS) was confirmed in the general population.

Petersen, Marie Weinreich, Schröder, Andreas, Jørgensen, Torben et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2020

This study looked at whether a diagnostic framework called Bodily Distress Syndrome (BDS) can help organize the overlapping symptoms seen in conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Researchers interviewed nearly 1,600 people from the general population about their symptoms and found that symptoms naturally grouped into four clusters (heart/lung, stomach, muscle/joint, and general fatigue symptoms). The BDS framework successfully categorized people based on how many symptom clusters they experienced, suggesting it could be a useful way to diagnose and understand these complex multi-system conditions.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Metabolic analysis of amino acids and vitamin B6 pathways in lymphoma survivors with cancer related chronic fatigue.

Fosså, Alexander, Smeland, Knut Halvor, Fluge, Øystein et al.·PloS one·2020

This study looked at blood chemicals called amino acids and B vitamins in lymphoma survivors who experienced lasting fatigue after cancer treatment. Researchers found that people with this fatigue had lower tryptophan (an amino acid) and signs of ongoing low-level immune activation and inflammation. The study suggests that persistent tiredness after lymphoma treatment may be caused by the body's immune system staying activated longer than expected.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and the Response to Group Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

De Venter, Maud, Illegems, Jela, Van Royen, Rita et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2020

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS who experienced trauma in childhood respond differently to a specific talking therapy called cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Researchers followed 105 patients receiving group CBT sessions over 9-12 months and tracked their fatigue levels and physical function at different time points. They found that having a history of childhood trauma did not affect how well people improved with CBT.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

The Economic Impacts of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in an Australian Cohort.

Close, Shara, Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya, Byrnes, Joshua et al.·Frontiers in public health·2020

This Australian study calculated how much ME/CFS costs patients, their families, and the healthcare system. Researchers surveyed people with ME/CFS and found the total annual cost was approximately $14.5 billion, including medical visits, treatments, medicines, and lost income. The study shows that ME/CFS places a heavy financial burden on individuals and society.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A Machine Learning Approach to the Differentiation of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) From a Sedentary Control.

Provenzano, Destie, Washington, Stuart D, Baraniuk, James N·Frontiers in computational neuroscience·2020

Researchers used a computer algorithm to analyze brain scans from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls while they performed a memory task, both before and after exercise. The algorithm was able to correctly identify which scans came from ME/CFS patients 80% of the time on the first day and 76% on the second day, suggesting that ME/CFS may create a distinctive pattern of brain activity that could eventually be used as an objective diagnostic test.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Emotional Awareness Correlated With Number of Awakenings From Polysomnography in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-A Pilot Study.

Bileviciute-Ljungar, Indre, Friberg, Danielle·Frontiers in psychiatry·2020

This study examined the connection between emotional awareness and sleep problems in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that patients who had difficulty recognizing and understanding their own emotions also experienced more frequent awakenings during sleep. The study involved 23 ME/CFS patients and 30 healthy controls who completed questionnaires about emotions, while the ME/CFS patients also underwent overnight sleep monitoring.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Health-related quality of life in Norwegian adolescents living with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Similä, Wenche Ann, Halsteinli, Vidar, Helland, Ingrid B et al.·Health and quality of life outcomes·2020

This study measured how ME/CFS affects the quality of life of teenagers in Norway. Researchers found that adolescents with ME/CFS reported significantly lower quality of life compared to healthy peers, with boys reporting better outcomes than girls. Having support from teachers, attending school, participating in activities, and avoiding depression were linked with better quality of life.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Reduced heart rate variability predicts fatigue severity in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Escorihuela, Rosa María, Capdevila, Lluís, Castro, Juan Ramos et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study measured how the heart rate varies between beats in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have less variation in their heart rate and that this reduced variation is connected to how severe their fatigue is. The findings suggest that an overactive stress response in the nervous system may contribute to fatigue severity.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Post-exertional malaise is associated with greater symptom burden and psychological distress in patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

May, Marcella, Milrad, Sara F, Perdomo, Dolores M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2020

This study compared people with ME/CFS who experience severe post-exertional malaise (PEM—getting much worse after activity) with those who experience mild PEM. People with severe PEM reported more intense symptoms, greater disruption to their daily lives and social activities, and higher levels of depression and mood problems. Importantly, people in both groups had similarly stressful life experiences, suggesting that PEM severity itself—not just general stress—drives these differences.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Autonomic Phenotypes in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Are Associated with Illness Severity: A Cluster Analysis.

Słomko, Joanna, Estévez-López, Fernando, Kujawski, Sławomir et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This study looked at 131 ME/CFS patients to see if different types of autonomic nervous system problems (the system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion) exist. Researchers found four distinct patterns: some patients had sympathetic overactivity with dysfunction, some had sympathetic symptoms alone, some had parasympathetic issues, and some had an imbalance between the two systems. Patients with sympathetic overactivity had the most severe symptoms and worst quality of life, while those with balanced autonomic function were younger, less fatigued, and reported better quality of life.

Autonomic Nervous System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Validation of the Severity of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Other Measures than History: Activity Bracelet, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and a Validated Activity Questionnaire: SF-36.

Prediction of Discontinuation of Structured Exercise Programme in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Signs of Intracranial Hypertension, Hypermobility, and Craniocervical Obstructions in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Health-related quality of life in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an Australian cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of Fatigue in Cancer Patients in An Area Affected by The Great East Japan Earthquake.

Attentional Processing and Interpretative Bias in Functional Neurological Disorder.

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Hemodynamics during the 10-minute NASA Lean Test: evidence of circulatory decompensation in a subset of ME/CFS patients.

Post-exertional symptoms distinguish Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome subjects from healthy controls.

The unifying diagnostic construct of bodily distress syndrome (BDS) was confirmed in the general population.

Metabolic analysis of amino acids and vitamin B6 pathways in lymphoma survivors with cancer related chronic fatigue.

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and the Response to Group Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Economic Impacts of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in an Australian Cohort.

A Machine Learning Approach to the Differentiation of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) From a Sedentary Control.

Emotional Awareness Correlated With Number of Awakenings From Polysomnography in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-A Pilot Study.

Health-related quality of life in Norwegian adolescents living with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reduced heart rate variability predicts fatigue severity in individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Post-exertional malaise is associated with greater symptom burden and psychological distress in patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Autonomic Phenotypes in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Are Associated with Illness Severity: A Cluster Analysis.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research