ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

141–160 of 6,157 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Manifestations: A Systematic Review.

Wang, Wenbo, Pan, Da, Liu, Qi et al.·Nutrients·2024

Researchers reviewed 60 studies about whether L-carnitine, a natural supplement, might help with nervous system and mental health problems. They found it showed promise for some conditions like stroke and Alzheimer's disease, but had limited effectiveness for others including chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, and ALS. This review summarizes what we currently know about L-carnitine's potential benefits and limitations across different neurological conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome in children].

Chutko, L S, Surushkina, S Yu, Yakovenko, E A et al.·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2024

This article reviews existing research on ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) in children. The authors summarize what scientists have learned about how common the condition is, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what treatments might help. A major focus is on cognitive problems—like difficulty concentrating and brain fog—that children with ME/CFS often experience.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

[Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mould exposure - Update 2023 (AWMF Register No. 161/001)].

Hurraß, Julia, Heinzow, Birger, Walser-Reichenbach, Sandra et al.·Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany)·2024

This guideline reviews what we know about indoor mold exposure and health problems. While mold in homes can be a health concern, the evidence shows it definitely causes respiratory allergies and asthma problems, but there is currently insufficient evidence to link mold exposure to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or many other conditions.

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

Kornder, Nele, Baum, Erika, Maisel, Peter et al.·ZFA. Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmedizin·2023

This guideline helps family doctors diagnose and treat fatigue by providing a systematic approach. When fatigue has no clear cause, doctors should ask about sleep, mood, medications, and life stressors, and perform basic blood tests. The guideline emphasizes that fatigue often has multiple causes working together, and recommends checking specifically for post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a key feature of ME/CFS—so patients can receive appropriate specialized care.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The microbiome in post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS).

Guo, Cheng, Yi, Boyang, Wu, Jianyong et al.·Computational and structural biotechnology journal·2023

This review examined how the bacteria and other microorganisms living in our bodies—particularly in the gut and mouth—may be altered in patients with prolonged illnesses following infections, including ME/CFS and long COVID. The researchers looked at existing studies to understand whether changes in these microbial communities might contribute to why some people develop long-lasting symptoms after being sick. They explored possible explanations for how these microbial changes could trigger or worsen symptoms in post-infection syndromes.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Surveying the Metabolic and Dysfunctional Profiles of T Cells and NK Cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Maya, Jessica·International journal of molecular sciences·2023

This review examined research on how immune cells (T cells and NK cells) work differently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. The authors found evidence that these immune cells may be exhausted or damaged, similar to what happens in chronic viral infections. Understanding why these immune cells aren't functioning properly could help explain ME/CFS symptoms and guide development of better treatments.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Aetiological Understanding of Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Classificatory Analogues: A Systematic Umbrella Review.

Kleinstäuber, Maria, Schröder, Andreas, Daehler, Sarah et al.·Clinical psychology in Europe·2023

This study reviewed hundreds of scientific articles about ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome to understand what researchers think causes these conditions. The researchers found that most studies focus on biological factors like immune system problems, while far fewer examine psychological or social causes. The review suggests that the best understanding comes from looking at multiple factors together—biological, psychological, and social—rather than just one type of cause.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.

Möller, Marika, Borg, Kristian, Janson, Christer et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2023

Many people experience brain fog and memory problems long after COVID-19 infection, affecting thinking, attention, and processing speed. This review found that 17–28% of people have these cognitive problems more than 3 months after infection, and some experience them for years. Treatment approaches include cognitive training, memory aids, lifestyle adjustments, and education about managing these symptoms.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Fatigue in Adults: Evaluation and Management.

Latimer, Kelly M, Gunther, Althea, Kopec, Michael·American family physician·2023

Fatigue is a very common reason people visit their doctors, and it can significantly impact daily life and work safety. This guideline explains that fatigue can come from different causes—normal tiredness that improves with rest and better habits, fatigue from other medical conditions, or chronic fatigue like ME/CFS. ME/CFS is a serious, long-lasting illness with no proven cure that causes a symptom called postexertional malaise, where activity makes symptoms worse, so patients need to carefully manage their energy levels.

Long COVID OverlapPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Comparison of serum acylcarnitine levels in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Jinushi, Ryuhei, Masuda, Sakue, Tanisaka, Yuki et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This review combined results from seven studies comparing a chemical in the blood called acylcarnitine between people with ME/CFS and healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have significantly lower levels of this chemical. These lower levels might one day help doctors diagnose ME/CFS, though more research is needed before it can be used as a reliable test.

BiomarkersEnergy Metabolism

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review.

Lepri, Beatrice, Romani, Daniele, Storari, Lorenzo et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2023

This review looked at 15 studies testing whether pain neuroscience education—teaching patients how pain works in the nervous system—helps people with chronic muscle and joint pain, including those with conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The research found that this type of education does appear to reduce pain and improve disability and mood, especially when delivered one-on-one and combined with other treatments like physical therapy.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Antimicrobial therapies for chronic pain (part 2): the prevention and treatment of chronic pain.

Wang, Eric J, Dolomisiewicz, Edward, Karri, Jay et al.·The Korean journal of pain·2023

This review examined whether antibiotics and similar antimicrobial medications might help reduce chronic pain in certain conditions, including ME/CFS. The researchers found that some of these medications appear to reduce pain in conditions where dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria) or hidden infections may play a role. However, the evidence is still observational rather than definitively proving cause-and-effect relationships.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEvidence-Map

Frontiers in chronic fatigue syndrome research: An analysis of the top 100 most influential articles in the field.

Wang, Xingxin, Li, Xuhao, Dong, Tiantian et al.·Medicine·2023

This study analyzed the 100 most-cited scientific papers on ME/CFS to understand what researchers have been focusing on and what directions the field is moving toward. Researchers found that ME/CFS research is a global effort involving hundreds of institutions across many countries, with studies increasingly looking at cognitive behavioral therapy, how to diagnose ME/CFS better, and the biological basis of the condition. The analysis suggests future research will likely focus on finding biological markers, understanding immune system changes, and identifying genetic risk factors.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Functional neurological disorder in people with long COVID: A systematic review.

Teodoro, Tiago, Chen, Jiaying, Gelauff, Jeannette et al.·European journal of neurology·2023

Researchers reviewed 102 studies about long COVID to see whether some of the neurological symptoms (such as brain fog, headaches, and dizziness) might be functional neurological disorder (FND)—a condition where the nervous system doesn't work properly without obvious physical damage. While these symptoms are common in long COVID, the studies didn't carefully look for the specific patterns that would help diagnose FND, so it remains unclear whether FND plays a role in long COVID.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Functional neurological disorder and functional somatic syndromes among sexual and gender minority people: A scoping review.

Lerario, Mackenzie P, Fusunyan, Mark, Stave, Christopher D et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2023

This study reviewed published research on functional neurological disorders and related conditions (like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome) in sexual and gender minority people. Researchers found only 26 studies on this topic, most of which were small case reports or one-time surveys. The review found that transgender people may experience these conditions more often than cisgender people, and some patients improved when they received gender-affirming care.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Female reproductive health impacts of Long COVID and associated illnesses including ME/CFS, POTS, and connective tissue disorders: a literature review.

Pollack, Beth, von Saltza, Emelia, McCorkell, Lisa et al.·Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences·2023

This review examined how Long COVID and related illnesses like ME/CFS affect women's reproductive health, including menstrual cycles, fertility, and pregnancy. The researchers found that women with these conditions experience more problems with their periods, difficulty getting pregnant, and symptom flare-ups around their menstrual cycle. The study highlights that we need much more research to understand these reproductive health issues and to help doctors better support women with these conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection, EBV, HHV-6 and Other Factors May Contribute to Inflammation and Autoimmunity in Long COVID.

Vojdani, Aristo, Vojdani, Elroy, Saidara, Evan et al.·Viruses·2023

This review examines how long COVID—a condition where symptoms persist months after a coronavirus infection—may develop through similar mechanisms to ME/CFS. The authors suggest that viral persistence, reactivation of old herpes viruses (like Epstein-Barr virus), immune system dysfunction, and gut microbiome changes may all contribute to ongoing inflammation and autoimmune problems. They propose testing for antibodies and other markers to better identify and treat long COVID.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune SystemLong COVID Overlap

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

Understanding, diagnosing, and treating Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - State of the art: Report of the 2nd international meeting at the Charité Fatigue Center.

Steiner, Sophie, Fehrer, Annick, Hoheisel, Friederike et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2023

Over 100 international researchers gathered in Berlin in May 2023 to discuss what we currently know about ME/CFS, how to diagnose it, and how to treat it. The conference highlighted that ME/CFS involves problems with the immune system, blood vessel function, and nervous system control, and that some cases may be triggered by viruses reactivating in the body. Despite growing interest due to Long COVID, ME/CFS remains under-researched and needs significantly more funding to find better diagnostic tests and targeted treatments.

Autonomic Nervous SystemImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

The relation between cognitive-behavioural responses to symptoms in patients with long term medical conditions and the outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy for fatigue - A secondary analysis of four RCTs.

de Gier, M, Picariello, F, Slot, M et al.·Behaviour research and therapy·2023

This study looked at how people with different long-term illnesses—including ME/CFS—think and behave in response to fatigue, and whether these patterns affect how well cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) works. Researchers found that certain thought patterns and behaviours, like avoiding activity or believing that fatigue causes damage, were linked to less improvement with CBT. The good news is that when CBT helped patients change these patterns—by reducing fear, worry, and excessive rest—their fatigue improved significantly.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Long COVID: Complications, Underlying Mechanisms, and Treatment Strategies.

Zadeh, Farigol Hakem, Wilson, Daniel R, Agrawal, Devendra K·Archives of microbiology & immunology·2023

Long COVID refers to symptoms that persist for weeks or months after an initial COVID-19 infection has cleared. This review examines how COVID-19 damages various organs in the body, what causes these problems, and what treatments might help. The authors also discuss how vaccination may affect Long COVID and identify important gaps in our understanding of the condition.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Manifestations: A Systematic Review.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome in children].

[Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mould exposure - Update 2023 (AWMF Register No. 161/001)].

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

The microbiome in post-acute infection syndrome (PAIS).

Surveying the Metabolic and Dysfunctional Profiles of T Cells and NK Cells in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Aetiological Understanding of Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Classificatory Analogues: A Systematic Umbrella Review.

Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.

Fatigue in Adults: Evaluation and Management.

Comparison of serum acylcarnitine levels in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy controls: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effectiveness of Pain Neuroscience Education in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Central Sensitization: A Systematic Review.

Antimicrobial therapies for chronic pain (part 2): the prevention and treatment of chronic pain.

Frontiers in chronic fatigue syndrome research: An analysis of the top 100 most influential articles in the field.

Functional neurological disorder in people with long COVID: A systematic review.

Functional neurological disorder and functional somatic syndromes among sexual and gender minority people: A scoping review.

Female reproductive health impacts of Long COVID and associated illnesses including ME/CFS, POTS, and connective tissue disorders: a literature review.

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 Infection, EBV, HHV-6 and Other Factors May Contribute to Inflammation and Autoimmunity in Long COVID.

Understanding, diagnosing, and treating Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - State of the art: Report of the 2nd international meeting at the Charité Fatigue Center.

The relation between cognitive-behavioural responses to symptoms in patients with long term medical conditions and the outcome of cognitive behavioural therapy for fatigue - A secondary analysis of four RCTs.

Long COVID: Complications, Underlying Mechanisms, and Treatment Strategies.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research