ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

161–180 of 6,187 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Evaluation of viral infection as an etiology of ME/CFS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hwang, Jae-Hyun, Lee, Jin-Seok, Oh, Hyeon-Muk et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

Researchers analyzed 64 studies involving nearly 5,000 ME/CFS patients to see if viral infections might cause or trigger the illness. They found that certain viruses—particularly Borna disease virus, human herpesvirus-7, parvovirus B19, enterovirus, and Coxsackie B virus—appeared more frequently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people and those with other diseases. While these associations are promising leads, finding a virus more often in patients doesn't prove it causes ME/CFS.

Immune System

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 unclearMeta-Analysis

Objective sleep measures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Mohamed, Abdalla Z, Andersen, Thu, Radovic, Sanja et al.·Sleep medicine reviews·2023

This study looked at 24 research papers that measured sleep objectively (using devices and tests, not just patient reports) in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients do indeed have real, measurable sleep problems—they take longer to fall asleep, wake up more during the night, and don't get good-quality sleep. Interestingly, these sleep problems looked slightly different in teenagers compared to adults with ME/CFS.

SleepAutonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

[Current status of animal experiment report of acupuncture intervention in chronic fatigue syndrome based on ARRIVE guidelines and GSPC list].

Cui, Jia-He, Hu, Bin, Wang, Xin-Cao et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2023

This study looked at 16 animal research papers that tested whether acupuncture could help with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The researchers found that most of these studies had significant problems in how they reported their work—important details were missing or poorly described, making it hard to know if the results were trustworthy. The study recommends that future animal experiments follow better reporting standards to improve the quality and reliability of the research.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Therapeutic Implications of the Microbial Hypothesis of Mental Illness.

Savitz, Jonathan, Yolken, Robert H·Current topics in behavioral neurosciences·2023

This review examines whether certain germs—especially viruses like EBV and CMV, and parasites—might contribute to mental illness and ME/CFS. Researchers looked at studies testing whether anti-viral and anti-parasite medications could help treat these conditions, and also explored whether changes in gut bacteria might play a role. The authors found some evidence supporting these connections, though much more research is needed to understand how they work.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The effectiveness of activity pacing interventions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Casson, Sally, Jones, Matthew D, Cassar, Joanne et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2023

This review looked at 14 high-quality studies on activity pacing—a strategy where people with ME/CFS gradually increase their daily activities at a sustainable pace. The research found that activity pacing, especially when combined with slowly increasing both physical and cognitive tasks, helped reduce fatigue and tiredness, improved people's ability to do daily activities, and decreased anxiety and depression compared to no treatment.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Pathogenic mechanisms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Sherif, Zaki A, Gomez, Christian R, Connors, Thomas J et al.·eLife·2023

This review examines how COVID-19 can lead to Long COVID, a condition where people experience ongoing fatigue, difficulty with exercise, and brain fog that can last months or years. The researchers explored multiple possible explanations for why this happens, including lingering virus in the body, problems with blood clotting, nerve signaling problems, immune system dysfunction, and reactivation of old viruses like Epstein-Barr. Since Long COVID affects different people in different ways, the authors suggest that different patients may need different treatments.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

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 requiredSystematic-Review

Biomarkers for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic review.

Maksoud, Rebekah, Magawa, Chandi, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·BMC medicine·2023

Researchers reviewed 101 studies looking for biological markers (biomarkers) that could help diagnose ME/CFS. A biomarker is something measurable in your blood or body that shows a disease is present. While scientists found many potential biomarkers affecting the immune system, energy production, circulation, and other body functions, none have been proven reliable enough to use as a diagnostic test yet.

BiomarkersImmune 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 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 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 unclearSystematic-Review

Experimental drugs in randomized controlled trials for long-COVID: what's in the pipeline? A systematic and critical review.

Yong, Shin Jie, Halim, Alice, Halim, Michael et al.·Expert opinion on investigational drugs·2023

Researchers reviewed drug treatments being tested for long-COVID in clinical trials to see which ones might actually work. They found that most experimental drugs don't look very promising, but a few stand out: rintatolimod appears most helpful for people with ME/CFS symptoms, while other drugs like LTY-100 and Treamid might help with lung problems from long-COVID. Currently, there is no proven treatment for long-COVID, so finding effective options is urgent.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

Joseph, Phillip, Singh, Inderjit, Oliveira, Rudolf et al.·Chest·2023

This review compares how the body responds to exercise in people with long COVID (PASC) and ME/CFS, two conditions that share similar symptoms like extreme tiredness and worsening symptoms after activity. Researchers found that both conditions show similar abnormalities in heart function, blood flow, and breathing during exercise that go beyond simple deconditioning or being out of shape. These shared patterns suggest both conditions may involve similar underlying biological problems, which could help doctors develop better tests and treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 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 not requiredMeta-Analysis

DNA Methylation Changes in Blood Cells of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

Przybylowicz, Patrycja Kamila, Sokolowska, Katarzyna Ewa, Rola, Hubert et al.·Journal of pain research·2023

This study looked at chemical changes called 'methylation' in the blood cells of people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers combined data from three previous studies and found that while the specific methylation patterns differed slightly between studies, they consistently affected genes involved in body processes that could explain symptoms like pain and exhaustion. This suggests that methylation changes may play a role in how these conditions develop.

BiomarkersImmune System

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 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 requiredSystematic-Review

Posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and comparison of pathogenesis.

Bai, Natalie A, Richardson, Christie S·Chronic diseases and translational medicine·2023

This review examined 18 studies comparing two similar chronic illnesses: posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which affects about 10% of Lyme disease patients even after antibiotic treatment, and ME/CFS. Both conditions cause severe fatigue, cognitive problems, pain, and sleep issues that last for months or years. The researchers found that patients with PTLDS experience many of the same symptoms as ME/CFS patients, suggesting these different illnesses may develop through similar biological pathways in the body.

Severe MEPost-Exertional Malaise

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Evaluation of viral infection as an etiology of ME/CFS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

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

Objective sleep measures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

[Current status of animal experiment report of acupuncture intervention in chronic fatigue syndrome based on ARRIVE guidelines and GSPC list].

Therapeutic Implications of the Microbial Hypothesis of Mental Illness.

The effectiveness of activity pacing interventions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pathogenic mechanisms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

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

Biomarkers for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic review.

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

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

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.

Experimental drugs in randomized controlled trials for long-COVID: what's in the pipeline? A systematic and critical review.

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

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

DNA Methylation Changes in Blood Cells of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients.

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

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

Posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and comparison of pathogenesis.

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