ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2422 studies

621–640 of 2,422 studies

Sick of the Sick Role: Narratives of What "Recovery" Means to People With CFS/ME.

Cheshire, Anna, Ridge, Damien, Clark, Lucy V et al.·Qualitative health research·2021

This study asked 19 people with ME/CFS what "recovery" means to them—some had improved and some had gotten worse after trying a self-help treatment. The researchers found that recovery doesn't mean the same thing to everyone. While some people wanted to be completely symptom-free, many others just wanted to feel "normal" again and stop being defined by their illness, even if symptoms remained. Some people actually didn't want to return to their old lifestyle, thinking it might have caused their illness in the first place.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredObservational

Effects of Post-Exertional Malaise on Markers of Arterial Stiffness in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Bond, Joshua, Nielsen, Tessa, Hodges, Lynette·International journal of environmental research and public health·2021

This study tested whether intense exercise affects blood vessel function differently in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy individuals. Researchers found that while healthy people's blood vessels became more flexible after exercise, people with ME/CFS did not experience this same improvement, suggesting their blood vessels may not be responding normally to physical stress.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

A Natural History of Disease Framework for Improving the Prevention, Management, and Research on Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome and Other Forms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

O'Boyle, Shennae, Nacul, Luis, Nacul, Flavio E et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study proposes a new way to understand ME/CFS by looking at how the disease develops over time in stages, rather than trying to categorize patients by their different symptoms. The authors suggest that each stage of the disease may need different types of care—early stages might focus on rest and preventing worsening, while later stages need more comprehensive treatment tailored to individual patients. They emphasize that clearer definitions and standards are needed in ME/CFS research to make treatments and policies more reliable.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review.

Ailioaie, Laura Marinela, Litscher, Gerhard·Life (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This review looked at studies on photobiomodulation (PBM)—a treatment using light to help cells work better—and how it might help athletes recover faster and perform better. The researchers found that in about 25 human studies, PBM appeared helpful for reducing fatigue and supporting recovery, though some studies didn't show clear benefits. The authors suggest that with better devices and clearer protocols, PBM could potentially help people dealing with exhaustion and physical stress.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Current state about researches on selection of experimental indexs mechanisms of acupuncture underlying improvement of chronic fatigue syndrome].

Li, Yan-Hui, Ma, Qiao-Lin, Hu, Bin et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2021

This review examined research from the past 10 years on how acupuncture may help chronic fatigue syndrome by looking at four main body systems: immune function, stress hormones and brain chemistry, the body's ability to handle cellular damage, and cell signaling pathways. The researchers found evidence that acupuncture appears to work through multiple mechanisms rather than just one, potentially helping the body recover from CFS through different pathways.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Inflammation plays a causal role in fatigue-like behavior induced by pelvic irradiation in mice.

Wolff, Brian S, Alshawi, Sarah A, Feng, Li Rebekah et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2021

Researchers gave mice targeted radiation to the pelvis (similar to cancer treatment) and found that the mice became less active afterward—a fatigue-like behavior. They discovered that inflammation, particularly a protein called IL-6, plays a key role in causing this fatigue. When they reduced inflammation using a drug called minocycline or using mice genetically unable to trigger certain inflammatory pathways, the fatigue was reduced but not completely eliminated.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Bone Marrow Defects of the Jaw - A Case Report on Additional Dental X-Ray Diagnostics with Ultrasound.

Lechner, Johann, Schick, Fabian·International medical case reports journal·2021

This case report describes a young man with ME/CFS who had headaches and tinnitus but no visible bone problems on standard X-rays. When doctors used ultrasound imaging, they found a suspicious area in his lower jawbone. Surgery revealed a fungal infection (aspergillosis) and inflamed tissue that standard X-rays had missed. This suggests that ultrasound might be a better tool for detecting hidden bone and jaw problems in some ME/CFS patients.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Reversible widespread brain 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Mairal, E, Barberon, B, Laine, N et al.·European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging·2021

This study used brain imaging scans (PET scans) to measure how much energy the brain was using in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients had abnormally low brain energy use across large areas of the brain. Notably, after patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber), the brain scans improved and showed more normal energy levels, suggesting the brain changes may be reversible.

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Extremely Severe ME/CFS-A Personal Account.

Dafoe, Whitney·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This is a detailed personal account from a patient living with extremely severe ME/CFS, a condition so debilitating that they are bedridden. The patient describes their illness progression over time, medical history, and what daily life is actually like with this most severe form of the disease. Through personal essays and detailed descriptions, the account provides insight into specific experiences and challenges that extremely severe patients face.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Hypophosphatasia in Adults: Clinical Spectrum and Its Association With Genetics and Metabolic Substrates.

Lefever, Eveline, Witters, Peter, Gielen, Evelien et al.·Journal of clinical densitometry : the official journal of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry·2020

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare genetic condition affecting bone and muscle health caused by low levels of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. This study looked at 19 adults with HPP and found that over one-third reported fatigue, and some had been wrongly diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. The study warns doctors to consider HPP when patients have unexplained fatigue and low alkaline phosphatase levels, to avoid inappropriate treatments.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Mitochondria disease due to humidifier disinfectants: diagnostic criteria and its evidences.

Leem, Jong Han, Kim, Hwan-Cheol·Environmental analysis, health and toxicology·2020

In 2011, millions of people in South Korea were exposed to toxic chemicals in humidifier disinfectants, which caused widespread illness beyond just lung damage. Researchers found that these chemicals harm the mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells—leading to symptoms like chronic fatigue, muscle pain, exercise intolerance, and neurological problems similar to those seen in ME/CFS. This study reviews evidence that mitochondrial damage from chemical exposure may explain why victims developed multi-system health problems.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Determination by ICP-MS and multivariate data analysis of elemental urine excretion profile during the EDTA chelation therapy: A case study.

Robotti, Elisa, Quasso, Fabio, Manfredi, Marcello et al.·Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)·2020

This study looked at one patient with ME/CFS symptoms who may have had heavy metal poisoning. The doctors gave the patient a chelation therapy treatment (a medicine designed to bind to and remove heavy metals from the body) every two weeks for 17 months, and measured how much metal came out in the urine. The study found that most heavy metals were eliminated in the first 24 hours after treatment, but the effect wore off quickly—suggesting more frequent treatments might work better.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Successful Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Chronic Febricula Using the Traditional Japanese Medicine Shosaikoto.

Numata, Takehiro, Miura, Kazuki, Akaishi, Tetsuya et al.·Internal medicine (Tokyo, Japan)·2020

A 14-year-old girl with ME/CFS who had experienced severe tiredness, low-grade fevers, and school absence for 20 months was treated with shosaikoto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine. Within several weeks, her symptoms improved dramatically and she was able to return to school. This case suggests that shosaikoto may help some ME/CFS patients, particularly those with persistent low fevers.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Environmental accommodations for university students affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Chu, Lily, Fuentes, Lynn R, Marshall, Olena M et al.·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

Many college students with ME/CFS struggle because universities don't understand how unpredictably the illness changes day-to-day. This article explains how occupational therapists (OTs) can help by learning about ME/CFS and working with universities to create reasonable accommodations—like flexible attendance policies or rest spaces—that let students participate in college life despite their illness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Brain Responses in CFS and TMD to Autonomic Challenges: An Exploratory fMRI Study.

Vuong, Q C, Allison, J R, Finkelmeyer, A et al.·JDR clinical and translational research·2020

This study looked at how the brains of people with ME/CFS respond during a specific breathing test (the Valsalva maneuver) that activates the autonomic nervous system—the part of your nervous system that controls automatic body functions like heart rate and breathing. Researchers compared brain scans of people with ME/CFS who also had jaw pain (temporomandibular disorder) to those with ME/CFS alone and healthy controls. They found that people with both conditions showed stronger brain activity in areas related to pain and fatigue, suggesting that problems with autonomic nervous system control may contribute to both conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

The Development of a Consistent Europe-Wide Approach to Investigating the Economic Impact of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS): A Report from the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

Pheby, Derek F H, Araja, Diana, Berkis, Uldis et al.·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study created a unified European system for measuring how much ME/CFS costs society in terms of healthcare, lost work, and other expenses. The researchers found that ME/CFS places a heavy financial burden on Europe, mostly because patients lose work productivity. However, they discovered that calculating these true costs is very difficult because different countries use different diagnostic criteria and many doctors don't diagnose ME/CFS, leaving many patients uncounted.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Association of small-fiber polyneuropathy with three previously unassociated rare missense SCN9A variants.

Kelley, Mary A, Oaklander, Anne Louise·Canadian journal of pain = Revue canadienne de la douleur·2020

This study describes two patients who developed small fiber nerve damage (affecting the smallest nerves in the body) and severe fatigue after infections. Both had immune system abnormalities and improved dramatically with immune-suppressing treatments. Genetic testing found rare changes in a gene called SCN9A that affects how nerve cells communicate. The findings suggest that genetic variations in this gene might play a role in some cases of small fiber nerve damage that respond to immune therapy.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

International expert consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) aggravated by air pollutants: Impact of air pollution on patients with AR: Current knowledge and future strategies.

Naclerio, Robert, Ansotegui, Ignacio J, Bousquet, Jean et al.·The World Allergy Organization journal·2020

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever and similar nasal allergies) affects millions of people and becomes worse when air pollution is present. This expert consensus report reviews how air pollution—both indoors and outdoors—makes allergic rhinitis symptoms worse, and discusses the best ways to manage it. The main treatment involves following standard allergy guidelines and reducing exposure to pollutants, though more research is needed on which medicines work best for people dealing with both allergies and air pollution.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Early Growth Response Gene Upregulation in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Kerr, Jonathan·Biomolecules·2020

This study looked at specific genes called EGR genes that turn on in response to stress and infection. Researchers found that these genes were abnormally active in blood samples from some ME/CFS patients, and this activity matched up with signs of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation. This suggests that in some people with ME/CFS, a dormant virus may be waking up and triggering an ongoing immune response.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as a medicinal plant and its natural products.

Sawicka, Barbara, Skiba, Dominika, Pszczółkowski, Piotr et al.·Cellular and molecular biology (Noisy-le-Grand, France)·2020

This review examined Jerusalem artichoke, a root vegetable, to understand its nutritional and health benefits. The researchers found that Jerusalem artichoke contains compounds that may help with blood sugar control, weight management, immune function, and several chronic conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome. However, this is a review of existing research rather than a new experiment testing these benefits in patients.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Sick of the Sick Role: Narratives of What "Recovery" Means to People With CFS/ME.

Effects of Post-Exertional Malaise on Markers of Arterial Stiffness in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

A Natural History of Disease Framework for Improving the Prevention, Management, and Research on Post-viral Fatigue Syndrome and Other Forms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review.

[Current state about researches on selection of experimental indexs mechanisms of acupuncture underlying improvement of chronic fatigue syndrome].

Inflammation plays a causal role in fatigue-like behavior induced by pelvic irradiation in mice.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Bone Marrow Defects of the Jaw - A Case Report on Additional Dental X-Ray Diagnostics with Ultrasound.

Reversible widespread brain 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Extremely Severe ME/CFS-A Personal Account.

Hypophosphatasia in Adults: Clinical Spectrum and Its Association With Genetics and Metabolic Substrates.

Mitochondria disease due to humidifier disinfectants: diagnostic criteria and its evidences.

Determination by ICP-MS and multivariate data analysis of elemental urine excretion profile during the EDTA chelation therapy: A case study.

Successful Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Chronic Febricula Using the Traditional Japanese Medicine Shosaikoto.

Environmental accommodations for university students affected by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Brain Responses in CFS and TMD to Autonomic Challenges: An Exploratory fMRI Study.

The Development of a Consistent Europe-Wide Approach to Investigating the Economic Impact of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS): A Report from the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

Association of small-fiber polyneuropathy with three previously unassociated rare missense SCN9A variants.

International expert consensus on the management of allergic rhinitis (AR) aggravated by air pollutants: Impact of air pollution on patients with AR: Current knowledge and future strategies.

Early Growth Response Gene Upregulation in Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Associated Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as a medicinal plant and its natural products.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research