ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1161–1180 of 6,209 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

The association of fatigue and pain with cognitive test performance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Oosterman, Joukje M, van der Schaaf, Marieke, de Kleijn, Willemien P E et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2025

This study looked at how fatigue and pain affect thinking and memory problems in people with ME/CFS. Researchers tested 1,375 patients on tasks like reaction time and attention, and found that both fatigue severity and pain severity were linked to worse cognitive performance. The effects were stronger in older patients, suggesting that age may play a role in how much fatigue and pain impact thinking abilities.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Possible Racial Disparities in the Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Jones, Chloe Lisette, Younger, Jarred·International journal of environmental research and public health·2025

This study looked at whether Black people and other racial minorities with ME/CFS symptoms are less likely to receive an official diagnosis compared to white people. Researchers surveyed over 1,100 people and found that white respondents were nearly three times more likely to be diagnosed with ME/CFS than non-white respondents, even when they had similar symptoms. The findings suggest that racial bias may be affecting who gets diagnosed with ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Low Vasopressin in Myalgic Encephalomyelitise/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Huhmar, Helena M, Soinne, Lauri S, Bertilson, Bo Christer et al.·Endocrine practice : official journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists·2025

This study found that most people with ME/CFS have abnormally low levels of vasopressin, a hormone that helps your body control water balance and blood volume. The researchers measured this hormone and fluid markers in over 100 ME/CFS patients and discovered that 82% had vasopressin levels below the detectable range. This may help explain why many ME/CFS patients experience excessive thirst, frequent urination, and dizziness when standing up.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Efficacy of Eszopiclone Plus Acupuncture Therapy by Dispersing the Stagnated Liver-Qi and Regulating the Spirit for Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Related Sleep Disorders.

Huang, Bing, Geng, Yining, Liu, Lanlan·Psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology·2025

This study looked at whether adding acupuncture to a sleep medication (eszopiclone) could help people with ME/CFS who struggle with sleep. Researchers compared 57 patients who received both the medication and acupuncture to 50 patients who received only the medication. The combined treatment group had better sleep quality, higher levels of chemicals in the blood that support mood and brain health, and fewer side effects.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Exploration of Intersections and Divergences of Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Kouyoumdjian, Joao A, Yamamoto, Leticia A, Graca, Carla R·Cureus·2025

This study looked at how Long COVID and ME/CFS might be related by comparing people with Long COVID symptoms to those without and healthy controls. While many Long COVID patients experienced symptoms that overlap with ME/CFS—like post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity), brain fog, and sleep problems—only about 1 in 5 Long COVID patients actually met the official diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. The findings suggest that Long COVID and ME/CFS are related but distinct conditions.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the 2021 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guidelines on Public Perspectives Toward Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Thematic and Sentiment Analysis on Twitter (Rebranded as X).

Khakban, Iliya, Jain, Shagun, Gallab, Joseph et al.·Journal of medical Internet research·2025

Researchers analyzed nearly 900,000 posts about ME/CFS on Twitter from 2010 to 2024 to understand what patients and the public were discussing about the illness. They found that most posts were neutral (47%), but negative posts increased over time, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic and when new UK treatment guidelines were published in 2021. Patients frequently expressed frustration about ME/CFS being dismissed as a mental health condition and celebrated the 2021 guidelines that recognized it as a physical disease.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Alterations in gut microbiota and associated metabolites in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cheng, Xinxin, Wang, Wenkuan, Xu, Tingting et al.·Scientific reports·2025

This study looked at the bacteria living in the gut of people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people, and found that ME/CFS patients have fewer types of bacteria and lower levels of helpful compounds called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that bacteria produce. The study found that people with ME/CFS who eat more fiber have higher levels of these beneficial compounds, suggesting diet may help restore some of the bacterial imbalances seen in ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Welfare benefit utilization for people with functional somatic disorder. A population-based cohort study.

Petersen, Marie Weinreich, Wellnitz, Kaare Bro, Carstensen, Tina Birgitte Wisbech et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2025

This study looked at how many weeks per year people with functional somatic disorder (FSD)—a condition with persistent physical symptoms that can't be explained by standard medical tests—used welfare benefits compared to people without FSD. Researchers in Denmark tracked about 9,600 people over 14 years and found that people with FSD used significantly more sickness benefits, unemployment benefits, and disability pensions than those without the condition. The findings show that FSD is a seriously disabling condition that affects people's ability to work and support themselves.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Peripheral Levels of Selected Biomarkers in Patients with Post-Sarcoidosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Małujło-Balcerska, Elżbieta, Bączek, Karol, Górski, Witold et al.·Journal of inflammation research·2025

This study looked at 71 people with sarcoidosis (a disease that causes inflammation) to understand why some feel extremely tired even after their disease improves. Researchers measured inflammation markers in the blood and found that people with lingering fatigue had higher levels of a protein called IL-6 compared to those without fatigue. The findings suggest that low-grade inflammation may be keeping people fatigued even when their disease appears to be under control.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

The Clinical Relevance of Mast Cell Activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Rohrhofer, Johanna, Ebner, Lilian, Schweighardt, Johannes et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

This study looked at whether mast cells—immune cells that release chemicals causing inflammation—play a role in ME/CFS. Researchers surveyed 687 ME/CFS patients and reviewed records from 383 others, finding that about 25% had signs of problematic mast cell activation. Importantly, patients with mast cell problems who received targeted treatment reported better symptom relief than those without mast cell involvement, suggesting this might be a treatable subtype of ME/CFS.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Development and validation of blood-based diagnostic biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) using EpiSwitch® 3-dimensional genomic regulatory immuno-genetic profiling.

Hunter, Ewan, Alshaker, Heba, Bundock, Oliver et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2025

Researchers developed a new blood test called EpiSwitch®CFS that may help diagnose ME/CFS by detecting specific patterns in how DNA is organized in blood cells. When tested on stored blood samples from 47 ME/CFS patients and 61 healthy people, the test correctly identified 92% of ME/CFS patients and correctly ruled out 98% of healthy controls. This could potentially help doctors diagnose ME/CFS more reliably, since there is currently no standard blood test for the condition.

NeuroinflammationBiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Deep sequencing of BCR heavy chain repertoires in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ryback, Audrey A, Cowan, Graeme J M·Frontiers in immunology·2025

This study examined immune system cells called B cells in people with ME/CFS to see if the disease might be caused by chronic infections or autoimmune problems. Researchers compared blood samples from 25 patients with mild/moderate ME/CFS, 36 with severe ME/CFS, healthy people, and people with multiple sclerosis. They found that ME/CFS patients' B cells did not show the typical patterns expected if chronic infection or autoimmunity were the main cause, though they did notice a difference in the balance of certain antibody types in milder cases.

Severe MEImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Hippocampal subfield volume alterations and associations with severity measures in long COVID and ME/CFS: A 7T MRI study.

Thapaliya, Kiran, Marshall-Gradisnik, Sonya, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·PloS one·2025

Researchers used advanced brain imaging to compare a part of the brain called the hippocampus in long COVID patients, ME/CFS patients, and healthy people. They found that certain areas of the hippocampus were larger in both patient groups compared to healthy controls, and these size differences were linked to how severe symptoms like fatigue, pain, and memory problems were. This suggests that changes in brain structure might explain some of the cognitive difficulties these patients experience.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

People with Long COVID and ME/CFS Exhibit Similarly Impaired Dexterity and Bimanual Coordination: A Case-Case-Control Study.

Sanal-Hayes, Nilihan E M, Hayes, Lawrence D, Mclaughlin, Marie et al.·The American journal of medicine·2025

This study tested hand coordination and fine motor skills in people with long COVID and ME/CFS using a simple pegboard task where participants place small pegs into holes as quickly and accurately as possible. Both patient groups performed similarly to each other but notably worse than healthy people, suggesting that problems with hand coordination and dexterity are common to both conditions. The findings highlight that these motor difficulties deserve specific medical attention and treatment in both long COVID and ME/CFS patients.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredObservational

Efficacy of repeated immunoadsorption in patients with post-COVID myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and elevated β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies: a prospective cohort study.

Stein, Elisa, Heindrich, Cornelia, Wittke, Kirsten et al.·The Lancet regional health. Europe·2025

This study tested a blood-filtering treatment called immunoadsorption in 20 patients with post-COVID ME/CFS who had specific autoantibodies (immune proteins attacking their own bodies). After five treatment sessions, 70% of patients improved, with better physical function, reduced fatigue, and less post-exertional malaise lasting at least six months. The treatment removed harmful immune proteins from the blood and was generally well tolerated.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome using beat-to-beat autonomic measurements.

Kujawski, Sławomir, Tabisz, Hanna, Morten, Karl J et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2025

Researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze how the heart and nervous system behave differently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. By measuring heart rate changes beat-by-beat, they found a pattern that could identify ME/CFS patients with 89% accuracy. The key differences included a less responsive vagal nerve (which normally calms the body), a more active stress response in blood vessels, and less efficient heart pumping.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

HERV activation segregates ME/CFS from fibromyalgia while defining a novel nosologic entity.

Giménez-Orenga, Karen, Martín-Martínez, Eva, Nathanson, Lubov et al.·eLife·2025

This study looked at special genetic materials called human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in the blood cells of women with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, both conditions, or neither. The researchers found that the pattern of which HERVs were active could perfectly distinguish between these four groups—suggesting this could become a reliable blood test to diagnose these conditions. The study also found that ME/CFS patients had specific changes in immune cells that matched how severe their symptoms were.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Provocation of brachial plexus and systemic symptoms during the elevated arm stress test in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome or idiopathic chronic fatigue.

Edwards, Charles C, Byrnes, Julia M, Broussard, Camille A et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2025

Researchers tested whether a simple arm position exercise (holding arms overhead and opening/closing fists) could trigger symptoms in ME/CFS patients who struggle with overhead activities. They found that nearly all patients (97%) developed arm symptoms like pain, numbness, or heaviness during the test, and 41% also experienced whole-body symptoms like dizziness, brain fog, or a racing heart. This suggests that some ME/CFS patients may have nerve compression issues in their shoulders or neck that worsen with certain arm positions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Depressive and anxiety symptoms in current, previous, and no history of ME/CFS: NHIS 2022 analysis.

Sirotiak, Zoe, Adamowicz, Jenna L, Thomas, Emily B K·Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation·2025

This study looked at anxiety and depression in people with ME/CFS using data from a large U.S. health survey. Researchers found that people currently living with ME/CFS reported much higher rates of anxiety and depression compared to people without ME/CFS. Interestingly, people who previously had ME/CFS but have since recovered still reported higher anxiety and depression rates than those who never had the illness, though the rates were lower than for those with current ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Nonpelvic comorbid symptoms of 45 patients with pain of pelvic venous origin, before and after treatment.

Smith, Steven J, Smith, B Holly, Sichlau, Michael J et al.·Phlebology·2025

This study looked at 45 women with chronic pelvic pain caused by abnormal blood pooling in pelvic veins. These patients experienced many symptoms beyond pelvic pain—including brain fog, fatigue, migraines, constipation, and anxiety. After receiving a catheter-based procedure to fix the blood pooling, most of these systemic symptoms improved significantly (by 50% or more).

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

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The association of fatigue and pain with cognitive test performance in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Possible Racial Disparities in the Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Low Vasopressin in Myalgic Encephalomyelitise/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Efficacy of Eszopiclone Plus Acupuncture Therapy by Dispersing the Stagnated Liver-Qi and Regulating the Spirit for Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Related Sleep Disorders.

Exploration of Intersections and Divergences of Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the 2021 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Guidelines on Public Perspectives Toward Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Thematic and Sentiment Analysis on Twitter (Rebranded as X).

Alterations in gut microbiota and associated metabolites in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Welfare benefit utilization for people with functional somatic disorder. A population-based cohort study.

Peripheral Levels of Selected Biomarkers in Patients with Post-Sarcoidosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Clinical Relevance of Mast Cell Activation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Development and validation of blood-based diagnostic biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) using EpiSwitch® 3-dimensional genomic regulatory immuno-genetic profiling.

Deep sequencing of BCR heavy chain repertoires in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hippocampal subfield volume alterations and associations with severity measures in long COVID and ME/CFS: A 7T MRI study.

People with Long COVID and ME/CFS Exhibit Similarly Impaired Dexterity and Bimanual Coordination: A Case-Case-Control Study.

Efficacy of repeated immunoadsorption in patients with post-COVID myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and elevated β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies: a prospective cohort study.

Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome using beat-to-beat autonomic measurements.

HERV activation segregates ME/CFS from fibromyalgia while defining a novel nosologic entity.

Provocation of brachial plexus and systemic symptoms during the elevated arm stress test in individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome or idiopathic chronic fatigue.

Depressive and anxiety symptoms in current, previous, and no history of ME/CFS: NHIS 2022 analysis.

Nonpelvic comorbid symptoms of 45 patients with pain of pelvic venous origin, before and after treatment.

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