ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

101–120 of 345 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Possible involvement of the autonomic nervous system in cervical muscles of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Matsui, Takayoshi, Hara, Kazuhiro, Iwata, Makoto et al.·BMC musculoskeletal disorders·2021

This study looked at 1,226 hospitalized ME/CFS patients who received daily physical therapy focused on neck muscles. About 55% of patients recovered from ME/CFS after this treatment, and those who recovered showed changes in pupil size suggesting their nervous system function improved. The findings suggest that neck muscle problems and nervous system dysfunction may be connected in ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Limbic Perfusion Is Reduced in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Li, Xia, Julin, Per, Li, Tie-Qiang·Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.)·2021

Researchers used a specialized brain imaging technique to measure blood flow in the brains of ME/CFS patients and compared it to healthy people. They found that patients with ME/CFS have reduced blood flow in several areas of the limbic system—the part of the brain that helps control emotions, automatic body functions, and memory. The amount of reduced blood flow was also linked to how severe patients' symptoms were.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Comparison of the finger plethysmography derived stroke volumes by Nexfin CO Trek and suprasternal aortic Doppler derived stroke volume measurements in adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and in healthy controls.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Verheugt, Freek W A, Rowe, Peter C et al.·Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine·2021

This study compared two different ways of measuring how much blood the heart pumps with each beat during a tilt table test (where patients lie down then are tilted upright). Researchers tested 154 ME/CFS patients and 39 healthy people using finger cuff measurements and ultrasound of the heart. They found that the finger cuff method gave higher readings than ultrasound, but after adjusting the finger cuff numbers to match ultrasound values, the device became reliable enough to track changes during tilt testing.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Relationship between Cardiopulmonary, Mitochondrial and Autonomic Nervous System Function Improvement after an Individualised Activity Programme upon Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Kujawski, Sławomir, Cossington, Jo, Słomko, Joanna et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

This study tested whether a personalized activity program could help ME/CFS patients feel less tired and function better. Thirty-four patients followed a 16-week program tailored to their individual abilities. After the program, patients reported significant improvements in fatigue, and blood tests showed improvements in mitochondrial markers (Mfn1 and Mfn2)—the energy-producing components of cells. However, about half of the patients found exercise difficult to tolerate.

Autonomic Nervous SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in patients of orthostatic intolerance symptoms: an ambispective study.

Chouksey, Dinesh, Rathi, Pankaj, Sodani, Ajoy et al.·AIMS neuroscience·2021

This study looked at patients who experience dizziness, fainting, or heart racing when standing up—symptoms of a condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Researchers tested 246 patients with these symptoms and confirmed POTS in 40 of them using a special tilt-table test. Most POTS patients experienced fainting, lightheadedness, and heart palpitations, and nearly half also had a related condition causing fainting.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Clinically accessible tools for documenting the impact of orthostatic intolerance on symptoms and function in ME/CFS.

Lee, Jihyun, Wall, Pelle, Kimler, Chris et al.·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study looked at how much time ME/CFS patients can spend upright (standing or walking around) each day and how this relates to dizziness and other symptoms caused by orthostatic intolerance—a condition where symptoms get worse when standing or being active. Researchers compared 25 women with ME/CFS to 25 healthy women and found that ME/CFS patients spend far fewer hours upright and experience much worse symptoms that interfere with daily life. The study suggests that measuring upright hours and asking patients about orthostatic symptoms could be helpful tools for doctors diagnosing and managing ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Tai, Foong Way David, Palsson, Olafur S, Lam, Ching Y et al.·Neurogastroenterology and motility·2020

This study looked at people with joint hypermobility disorders (including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) to understand how often they experience stomach and digestive problems. The researchers found that those who also have POTS (a condition affecting heart rate and blood pressure when standing) had significantly more digestive issues than those without POTS. The digestive problems remained worse in the POTS group even after accounting for other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.

Autonomic Nervous System

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

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Reductions in Cerebral Blood Flow Can Be Provoked by Sitting in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

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

This study tested whether a simple sitting test could detect blood flow problems in the brains of severely ill ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that 90% of severe ME/CFS patients had significant drops in brain blood flow when sitting upright—dropping by about 24.5%—while healthy people's brain blood flow barely changed. This sitting test was easier to tolerate than standard tilt tests and could be useful for diagnosing blood flow problems in the most severely affected patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in ME/CFS during head-up tilt testing even in the absence of hypotension or tachycardia: A quantitative, controlled study using Doppler echography.

van Campen, C Linda M C, Verheugt, Freek W A, Rowe, Peter C et al.·Clinical neurophysiology practice·2020

This study measured blood flow to the brain in ME/CFS patients while they were tilted upright for 30 minutes. Researchers found that blood flow to the brain dropped significantly more in ME/CFS patients (24-29%) compared to healthy people (7%), even in patients whose heart rate and blood pressure stayed normal. The more symptoms patients experienced from standing, the greater their blood flow reduction.

Autonomic Nervous System

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 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Paradigm shift to disequilibrium in the genesis of orthostatic intolerance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Miwa, Kunihisa, Inoue, Yukichi·International Journal of Cardiology. Hypertension·2020

This study looked at why people with ME/CFS struggle to stand up without feeling dizzy or unsteady. Researchers tested 72 patients and found that balance problems while standing (disequilibrium) were much more common in those who couldn't complete a 10-minute standing test than previously thought. The study suggests that poor balance, rather than just heart rate problems, may be a main reason why standing is so difficult for many ME/CFS patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

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 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 not requiredObservational

Association between quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination and selected syndromes with autonomic dysfunction in Danish females: population based, self-controlled, case series analysis.

Hviid, Anders, Thorsen, Nicklas M, Valentiner-Branth, Palle et al.·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2020

This study examined whether the HPV vaccine (used to prevent cervical cancer) was linked to ME/CFS, complex regional pain syndrome, or POTS in over 1.3 million Danish girls and women. Researchers found no evidence that the vaccine caused these conditions—the rates of these illnesses were similar whether or not girls received the vaccine.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Parasympathetic activity is reduced during slow-wave sleep, but not resting wakefulness, in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fatt, Scott J, Beilharz, Jessica E, Joubert, Michael et al.·Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine·2020

This study found that people with ME/CFS have reduced calming nervous system activity during deep sleep, compared to healthy people. This overactive state during sleep—even when the brain should be resting—is linked to poor sleep quality and feeling unwell. The findings suggest that the body's inability to fully relax during sleep may be a key problem in ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

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 unclearLongitudinal

Long Term Follow up of Young People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Attending a Pediatric Outpatient Service.

Rowe, Katherine S·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This study followed 784 young people with ME/CFS for an average of 8 years to understand how the illness progresses over time. About half of the young people reported recovery within 5 years, and by 10 years, 68% reported feeling recovered. Most young people improved in their ability to function daily, though a small group (5%) remained very unwell. Having supportive doctors, staying involved in school with flexible accommodations, and developing personal management plans were all important for long-term improvement.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclear

Autonomic dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: comparing self-report and objective measures.

Kemp, Jane, Sunnquist, Madison, Jason, Leonard A et al.·Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society·2019

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients experience problems with their autonomic nervous system—the part that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions. The researchers compared what patients reported about their symptoms with objective medical tests to see if these matched up, helping doctors understand this aspect of ME/CFS better.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A cluster analysis of serious adverse event reports after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Danish girls and young women, September 2009 to August 2017.

Ward, Daniel, Thorsen, Nicklas Myrthue, Frisch, Morten et al.·Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin·2019

This study examined adverse event reports submitted to Danish health authorities after HPV vaccination between 2009 and 2017. Researchers found that fatigue, dizziness, and headache were common symptoms reported, and noticed that some clusters of reports—particularly those mentioning cognitive problems and sleep issues—were submitted during periods of increased media coverage about vaccine safety concerns.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

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Possible involvement of the autonomic nervous system in cervical muscles of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Limbic Perfusion Is Reduced in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Comparison of the finger plethysmography derived stroke volumes by Nexfin CO Trek and suprasternal aortic Doppler derived stroke volume measurements in adults with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and in healthy controls.

Relationship between Cardiopulmonary, Mitochondrial and Autonomic Nervous System Function Improvement after an Individualised Activity Programme upon Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in patients of orthostatic intolerance symptoms: an ambispective study.

Clinically accessible tools for documenting the impact of orthostatic intolerance on symptoms and function in ME/CFS.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are increased in joint hypermobility-related disorders with concomitant postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

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

Reductions in Cerebral Blood Flow Can Be Provoked by Sitting in Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in ME/CFS during head-up tilt testing even in the absence of hypotension or tachycardia: A quantitative, controlled study using Doppler echography.

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

Paradigm shift to disequilibrium in the genesis of orthostatic intolerance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

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

Association between quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccination and selected syndromes with autonomic dysfunction in Danish females: population based, self-controlled, case series analysis.

Parasympathetic activity is reduced during slow-wave sleep, but not resting wakefulness, in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Long Term Follow up of Young People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Attending a Pediatric Outpatient Service.

Autonomic dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome: comparing self-report and objective measures.

A cluster analysis of serious adverse event reports after human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Danish girls and young women, September 2009 to August 2017.

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