ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2422 studies

941–960 of 2,422 studies

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Autoantibody pain.

Goebel, Andreas·Autoimmunity reviews·2016

Your immune system sometimes makes proteins called autoantibodies that attack your own body's tissues and nerves. This review explores how these autoantibodies might cause pain directly by interfering with nerve signals, rather than just causing inflammation. Interestingly, ME/CFS appears to involve this type of autoantibody-related pain mechanism, which could open doors to new treatments for conditions that currently don't respond well to standard pain medications.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Neurocognitive improvements after best-practice intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome: Preliminary evidence of divergence between objective indices and subjective perceptions.

Cvejic, Erin, Lloyd, Andrew R, Vollmer-Conna, Uté·Comprehensive psychiatry·2016

This study tested whether a 12-week program combining graded activity and cognitive training could help ME/CFS patients with thinking and memory problems. Researchers measured improvements in two ways: by asking patients how they felt, and by giving them objective tests of mental performance. They found that patients showed real, measurable improvements in processing speed and accuracy on cognitive tests, and their stress response (measured by heart rate patterns) also improved.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Potential use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy for the analysis and diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (Review).

Sakudo, Akikazu·Molecular medicine reports·2016

This review examines whether a special type of light-based scanning called visible and near-infrared spectroscopy could help diagnose ME/CFS objectively. Currently, doctors diagnose ME/CFS only by listening to patient symptoms, with no blood test or physical measurement available. Researchers found that this light-scanning technique can detect differences in blood samples and thumb tissue between people with ME/CFS and healthy people, suggesting it might identify biological markers of the disease.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia syndrome pathology and environmental influences on afflictions with medically unexplained symptoms.

Albrecht, Phillip J, Rice, Frank L·Reviews on environmental health·2016

This review examines fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) as a model for understanding conditions with symptoms that are difficult to explain medically. The authors discuss how nerve endings in the skin and stress hormones (particularly estrogen) may play a role in causing widespread pain and fatigue. They propose that environmental stress and past trauma can trigger changes in how the nervous system works, leading to increased pain sensitivity.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effects of Chronic Diurnal Disruption and Acute Inflammatory Challenge on Mice with Latent Murine Gammaherpesvirus Infection.

Trammell, Rita A, Toth, Linda A·Comparative medicine·2016

This study examined how disrupted sleep-wake cycles (like those from shift work) affect mice infected with a dormant virus, especially when their immune systems are weakened. Researchers found that mice exposed to disrupted schedules who then experienced inflammation had higher levels of reactivated virus in their lungs. This suggests that combining poor sleep patterns with immune challenges might trigger symptom flare-ups similar to those seen in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Metabolic mechanism of a polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis to relieve chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chi, Aiping, Zhang, Yang, Kang, Yijiang et al.·International journal of biological macromolecules·2016

Researchers tested whether a natural substance extracted from Schisandra chinensis (a traditional Chinese fruit) could help reduce fatigue in rats with a condition similar to ME/CFS. They found that the substance, called SCP, helped improve the rats' activity and behavior. The improvement appeared to work by fixing problems in how the rats' bodies were processing energy and certain amino acids.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Moxibustion upregulates hippocampal progranulin expression.

Yi, Tao, Qi, Li, Li, Ji et al.·Neural regeneration research·2016

This study tested whether moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine technique using heat from burning herbs, could help rats with chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers found that moxibustion reduced stress hormone levels and increased a protective protein in the brain called progranulin, which appeared to improve the rats' symptoms of fatigue and low mood.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Aluminum adjuvants of vaccines injected into the muscle: Normal fate, pathology and associated disease.

Gherardi, R K, Aouizerate, J, Cadusseau, J et al.·Morphologie : bulletin de l'Association des anatomistes·2016

This study reviews how aluminum compounds used in vaccines are processed by the body and whether they might cause long-term health problems. The researchers found that aluminum can persist in the body for extended periods, accumulate in organs, and in some cases may be associated with muscle pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties—a condition called macrophagic myofasciitis. The authors suggest that the long-term safety of aluminum-containing vaccines needs more careful examination.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Understanding Muscle Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Rutherford, Gina, Manning, Philip, Newton, Julia L·Journal of aging research·2016

This review examined research showing that people with ME/CFS may have problems with how their muscles produce and use energy. Specifically, their muscles appear to rely too heavily on a less efficient energy pathway (lactate dehydrogenase) during and after exercise, and they have difficulty clearing the acidic byproducts that build up. These muscle-level energy problems could explain why ME/CFS patients experience severe fatigue and difficulty maintaining physical activity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Implementing resources to support the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in primary care: A qualitative study.

Bayliss, Kerin, Riste, Lisa, Band, Rebecca et al.·BMC family practice·2016

This study looked at whether special training and information resources for GPs could help them better diagnose and manage ME/CFS. Researchers interviewed patients and doctors in North West England and found that while the resources were helpful when used properly, most GPs didn't actually use them—either because they were too busy, didn't see enough ME/CFS patients to remember the training, or thought the condition should only be managed by specialists.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Investigation of the effects of vanilloids in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sarvaiya, Kuldeep, Goswami, Sunita·Brain research bulletin·2016

This study tested whether compounds that affect a pain-sensing protein called TRPV1 could help reduce fatigue and related symptoms in an animal model of ME/CFS. Rats that were stressed through repeated swimming showed improvements in fatigue, muscle strength, mood, and stress hormone levels when treated with these compounds, suggesting that TRPV1 may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

ILLNESS IS WORK: Revisiting the concept of illness careers and recognizing the identity work of patients with ME/CFS.

Grue, Jan·Health (London, England : 1997)·2016

This study explores how people with ME/CFS manage their identity and daily life while dealing with an illness that society doesn't fully recognize or understand. The researchers use the concept of "illness as work" to show that patients are actively doing important identity work—constantly adapting to their condition, navigating medical systems, and coping with a stigmatized illness. This framework helps validate the real effort and agency that ME/CFS patients demonstrate every day.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Metagenomic Investigation of Plasma in Individuals with ME/CFS Highlights the Importance of Technical Controls to Elucidate Contamination and Batch Effects.

Miller, Ruth R, Uyaguari-Diaz, Miguel, McCabe, Mark N et al.·PloS one·2016

Researchers used advanced genetic sequencing to search for viruses and bacteria in the blood of people with ME/CFS, comparing them to people with other conditions and healthy individuals. They found very little microbial material in anyone's blood, and the small differences they observed were likely caused by contamination during sample handling rather than actual differences between groups. This study teaches an important lesson: when looking for germs in blood samples, scientists must be extremely careful about how they handle samples and must use proper controls to avoid false conclusions.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A concept mapping study evaluating the UK's first NHS generic fatigue clinic.

Hackett, Katie L, Lambson, Rebecca L, Strassheim, Victoria et al.·Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy·2016

This study looked at a new NHS clinic in Newcastle that treats people with fatigue from various causes, not just ME/CFS. Researchers asked 30 patients and 10 healthcare referrers what they needed from the clinic, then had 46 patients rate how important those needs were and how well the clinic was meeting them. The study identified eight key areas patients cared about—including how the clinic made them feel, communication, self-management support, and peer support—and found some areas working well and others needing improvement.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Working with uncertainty: A grounded theory study of health-care professionals' experiences of working with children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Marks, Megan R, Huws, Jaci C, Whitehead, Liz·Journal of health psychology·2016

This study interviewed 10 healthcare professionals who treat children and teenagers with ME/CFS to understand how they approach the condition. Because ME/CFS is not yet fully understood scientifically, doctors often rely on their past experiences to decide how to treat young patients. What doctors believe about ME/CFS can affect the labels they give patients and what treatments they recommend.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

[Fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis: The oxygen clue].

Beretta, Pablo·Vertex (Buenos Aires, Argentina)·2016

This study suggests that people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS may have problems with how their muscles use oxygen. The authors found that patients' symptoms worsened in low-oxygen environments (like high altitudes or low air pressure) and improved with treatments that increase oxygen availability, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and coenzyme Q10 supplements. Based on three patient cases that improved with medical oxygen treatment, the authors propose that oxygen therapy might help people experiencing severe symptom flare-ups.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Mortality in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

McManimen, Stephanie L, Devendorf, Andrew R, Brown, Abigail A et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2016

This study examined whether people with ME/CFS die earlier than the general population. Researchers gathered information about 56 people with ME/CFS who had passed away by asking their family members and caregivers. The findings suggest that people with ME/CFS in this group died several years earlier on average than people in the broader U.S. population, particularly from heart-related causes.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Dysregulation of Protein Kinase Gene Expression in NK Cells from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients.

Chacko, Anu, Staines, Donald R, Johnston, Samantha C et al.·Gene regulation and systems biology·2016

This study looked at immune cells called NK cells in people with ME/CFS to understand why they don't work properly. Researchers examined the activity of hundreds of genes that control how these immune cells function and found that many genes were turned on or off abnormally in severely ill patients compared to healthy people. This suggests that problems with how these genes are regulated may explain why NK cells cannot fight infections effectively in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Elevated Energy Production in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Lawson, Nick, Hsieh, Chung-Han, March, Dana et al.·Journal of nature and science·2016

This study examined how cells in ME/CFS patients produce energy. Surprisingly, researchers found that patients' blood cells actually produced MORE energy (ATP) than healthy controls, but much of this energy came from sources other than mitochondria (the cell's power plants). The study suggests that ME/CFS fatigue may not be caused by a lack of energy, but rather by an abnormal way the body is producing energy.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Diagnosis and management of undifferentiated fever in children.

Long, Sarah S·The Journal of infection·2016

This medical guideline helps doctors figure out what causes unexplained fevers in children and how to treat them. The article explains that many children who come to doctors with persistent tiredness after a fever may not have a serious infection—instead, they might just be deconditioned (out of shape) and need to gradually return to normal activities like school and exercise.

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Autoantibody pain.

Neurocognitive improvements after best-practice intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome: Preliminary evidence of divergence between objective indices and subjective perceptions.

Potential use of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy for the analysis and diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (Review).

Fibromyalgia syndrome pathology and environmental influences on afflictions with medically unexplained symptoms.

Effects of Chronic Diurnal Disruption and Acute Inflammatory Challenge on Mice with Latent Murine Gammaherpesvirus Infection.

Metabolic mechanism of a polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis to relieve chronic fatigue syndrome.

Moxibustion upregulates hippocampal progranulin expression.

Aluminum adjuvants of vaccines injected into the muscle: Normal fate, pathology and associated disease.

Understanding Muscle Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Implementing resources to support the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in primary care: A qualitative study.

Investigation of the effects of vanilloids in chronic fatigue syndrome.

ILLNESS IS WORK: Revisiting the concept of illness careers and recognizing the identity work of patients with ME/CFS.

Metagenomic Investigation of Plasma in Individuals with ME/CFS Highlights the Importance of Technical Controls to Elucidate Contamination and Batch Effects.

A concept mapping study evaluating the UK's first NHS generic fatigue clinic.

Working with uncertainty: A grounded theory study of health-care professionals' experiences of working with children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis: The oxygen clue].

Mortality in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Dysregulation of Protein Kinase Gene Expression in NK Cells from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Patients.

Elevated Energy Production in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Diagnosis and management of undifferentiated fever in children.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research