ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1681–1700 of 6,157 studies

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Function: A Validation Study in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Lomas-Vega, Rafael, Rodríguez-Almagro, Daniel, Peinado-Rubia, Ana Belén et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

Researchers created and tested a new 20-question tool to measure balance problems and nerve-muscle coordination in people with fibromyalgia. The tool was tested on 62 fibromyalgia patients, 22 older adults, and 24 healthy people. The results show the tool works well at identifying balance issues in fibromyalgia patients, especially problems related to head movements.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain Conditions in Men: A Twin Study.

Gasperi, Marianna, Panizzon, Matthew, Goldberg, Jack et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2020

This study looked at whether trauma-related stress (PTSD) and chronic pain conditions share common causes in twins. Using data from nearly 5,000 male twins, researchers found that both genetics and life experiences contribute to why people with PTSD often also develop chronic pain. The study suggests these two problems frequently occur together because they share some of the same underlying risk factors.

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 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

Guided graded Exercise Self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome: patient experiences and perceptions.

Cheshire, Anna, Ridge, Damien, Clark, Lucy et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2020

This study looked at what patients experienced when they tried a guided exercise self-help program (GES) for ME/CFS. Some patients improved while others got worse. The researchers found that people who improved tended to be more motivated and faced fewer obstacles, while those who worsened had been sick longer, had other health conditions, and experienced symptom flare-ups from the exercise. The study suggests that the booklet alone isn't enough—patients need support from healthcare professionals who understand ME/CFS, especially during the difficult early weeks when improvements haven't started yet.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Pressure Point Thresholds and ME/CFS Comorbidity as Indicators of Patient's Response to Manual Physiotherapy in Fibromyalgia.

Falaguera-Vera, Francisco Javier, Garcia-Escudero, María, Bonastre-Férez, Javier et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2020

This study tested whether hands-on physiotherapy (manual therapy) could help people with fibromyalgia (FM) by reducing pain sensitivity and improving quality of life. Researchers measured pain sensitivity before and after treatment using a special device called an algometer. The main finding was that people with fibromyalgia alone responded better to the therapy than those who had both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Scherbakov, Nadja, Szklarski, Marvin, Hartwig, Jelka et al.·ESC heart failure·2020

This study looked at blood vessel function in people with ME/CFS by measuring how well small arteries in the arm respond to increased blood flow. Researchers found that about half of ME/CFS patients had abnormal blood vessel responses, compared to only 20% of healthy people. People with this blood vessel problem reported more severe fatigue, more frequent need for rest breaks, and worse immune-related symptoms like sore throat and swollen lymph nodes.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Cognitive Function Declines Following Orthostatic Stress in Adults With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

van Campen, C Linda M C, Rowe, Peter C, Verheugt, Freek W A et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2020

This study found that people with ME/CFS experience significant problems with memory and thinking speed after their body has been stressed by a tilt test (a medical test that checks how the body handles position changes). Specifically, when tested right after the tilt procedure, patients made more mistakes on memory tasks and responded much more slowly compared to before the test. This suggests that the physical stress of orthostatic intolerance directly worsens cognitive problems in ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Identification of actin network proteins, talin-1 and filamin-A, in circulating extracellular vesicles as blood biomarkers for human myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Eguchi, Akiko, Fukuda, Sanae, Kuratsune, Hirohiko et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2020

This study found that people with ME/CFS have higher levels of tiny particles called extracellular vesicles in their blood, which contain specific proteins (talin-1 and filamin-A) that appear to be unique markers of the disease. By measuring these particles and proteins in a simple blood test, researchers were able to correctly identify ME/CFS patients about 90-94% of the time, suggesting this could become a useful diagnostic tool.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The Role of Iron Metabolism in Fatigue, Depression, and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Knyszyńska, Anna, Radecka, Aleksandra, Zabielska, Paulina et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2020

This study looked at whether iron levels in the blood are connected to fatigue, depression, and quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Researchers tested blood samples from 90 MS patients and found that people with lower iron storage (ferritin) levels tended to have worse depression and lower quality of life. The study suggests that iron deficiency might play a role in how MS patients experience fatigue and mood problems.

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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Associations of occupational stress, workplace violence, and organizational support on chronic fatigue syndrome among nurses.

Li, Mengyao, Shu, Qianyi, Huang, Hao et al.·Journal of advanced nursing·2020

This study examined whether workplace stress, violence, and lack of organizational support increase the risk of ME/CFS in nurses. Researchers surveyed 1,080 Chinese nurses and found that those experiencing high levels of overcommitment, workplace violence, and little support from their employers were significantly more likely to have ME/CFS. The findings suggest that improving workplace safety, support, and reducing internal stress could help prevent ME/CFS in this high-risk group.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Deep phenotyping of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Japanese population.

Kitami, Toshimori, Fukuda, Sanae, Kato, Tamotsu et al.·Scientific reports·2020

Researchers studied 48 ME/CFS patients and 52 healthy people in Japan to find biological markers of the disease. They tested blood samples, gut bacteria, immune cells, and sleep patterns, identifying 26 potential markers that differ between patients and healthy people. Three markers stood out as most important: certain types of white blood cells, gut bacteria composition, and fat-like molecules in the blood, which were especially linked to sleep problems in ME/CFS patients.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Self-reported cognitive impairment in individuals with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease.

Sowers, Kerri L, Gayda-Chelder, Christine A, Galantino, Mary Lou·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

This study looked at whether people with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease (PID)—a condition where the immune system doesn't work properly—experience brain fog or memory problems. Researchers asked 292 people with PID to fill out surveys about their memory, mood, and anxiety. They found that people with PID reported significantly more memory problems and higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to people without these conditions.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Machine Learning Detects Pattern of Differences in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Data between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI).

Provenzano, Destie, Washington, Stuart D, Rao, Yuan J et al.·Brain sciences·2020

This study used brain imaging (fMRI) and computer learning programs to see if people with ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness have different patterns of brain activity during memory tasks, both before and after exercise. Researchers found that computer programs could correctly distinguish between the two conditions about 75-82% of the time, and identified about 30-33 brain regions that showed different activation patterns between the two groups. This suggests that ME/CFS and Gulf War Illness may have measurable biological differences in how the brain works during cognitive tasks and recovery from exertion.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: outcomes from a specialist clinic in the UK.

Adamson, James, Ali, Sheila, Santhouse, Alastair et al.·Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine·2020

This study looked at whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy focused on changing thoughts and behaviors—helps people with ME/CFS feel better in a real-world clinic setting. Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 patients receiving CBT and found that most improved in fatigue, physical functioning, and social life, with 85% reporting they felt better and 90% satisfied with treatment.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

A hierarchical logistic regression predicting rapid respiratory rates from post-exertional malaise.

Cotler, Joseph, Katz, Ben Z, Reurts-Post, Corine et al.·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2020

This study looked at whether faster breathing rates could be a sign of post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms that many ME/CFS patients experience after activity. Researchers measured breathing rates in 216 ME/CFS patients over two days and compared them to information about PEM and other symptoms. They found that patients with more severe PEM tended to have faster resting breathing rates, while depression, anxiety, and activity level did not explain the faster breathing.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Bynke, Annie, Julin, Per, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2020

Researchers tested blood and spinal fluid samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for certain antibodies (immune proteins) that mistakenly attack nerve receptors in the body. They found higher levels of some of these antibodies in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls, particularly antibodies targeting muscarinic receptors (involved in nerve signaling). However, the amount of these antibodies did not match how severe patients' symptoms were.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Cytokine profiling of extracellular vesicles isolated from plasma in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Giloteaux, Ludovic, O'Neal, Adam, Castro-Marrero, Jesús et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study looked at tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the blood of ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy people. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients had more of these small particles, and the chemical messengers (cytokines) inside and around them showed unusual patterns of interaction that differed from healthy controls. This suggests that immune system signaling may be working differently in ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Physical activity measures in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: correlations between peak oxygen consumption, the physical functioning scale of the SF-36 questionnaire, and the number of steps from an activity meter.

van Campen, C M C, Rowe, Peter C, Verheugt, Freek W A et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study compared three different ways to measure physical activity in ME/CFS patients: a questionnaire about daily functioning, a step counter worn during normal activities, and a fitness test measuring oxygen use during exercise. All three methods showed similar patterns—patients with lower scores on one test also tended to have lower scores on the others—but individual patients showed wide variations between the different measurements.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Sleep problems in adolescents with CFS: A case-control study nested within a prospective clinical cohort.

Loades, Maria Elizabeth, Rimes, Katharine A, Chalder, Trudie·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2020

This study looked at sleep problems in teenagers with ME/CFS compared to healthy teenagers and those with asthma. Teenagers with ME/CFS reported significantly more sleep difficulties than both comparison groups. When researchers checked in 3 months later without any treatment, sleep problems remained largely unchanged, suggesting that sleep issues in ME/CFS don't improve on their own and may need specific attention during treatment.

Sleep

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Joint Assessment of Equilibrium and Neuromotor Function: A Validation Study in Patients with Fibromyalgia.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain Conditions in Men: A Twin Study.

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

Guided graded Exercise Self-help for chronic fatigue syndrome: patient experiences and perceptions.

Pressure Point Thresholds and ME/CFS Comorbidity as Indicators of Patient's Response to Manual Physiotherapy in Fibromyalgia.

Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cognitive Function Declines Following Orthostatic Stress in Adults With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Identification of actin network proteins, talin-1 and filamin-A, in circulating extracellular vesicles as blood biomarkers for human myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Role of Iron Metabolism in Fatigue, Depression, and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

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

Associations of occupational stress, workplace violence, and organizational support on chronic fatigue syndrome among nurses.

Deep phenotyping of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome in Japanese population.

Self-reported cognitive impairment in individuals with Primary Immunodeficiency Disease.

Machine Learning Detects Pattern of Differences in Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Data between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War Illness (GWI).

Cognitive behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome: outcomes from a specialist clinic in the UK.

A hierarchical logistic regression predicting rapid respiratory rates from post-exertional malaise.

Autoantibodies to beta-adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) patients - A validation study in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid from two Swedish cohorts.

Cytokine profiling of extracellular vesicles isolated from plasma in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Physical activity measures in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: correlations between peak oxygen consumption, the physical functioning scale of the SF-36 questionnaire, and the number of steps from an activity meter.

Sleep problems in adolescents with CFS: A case-control study nested within a prospective clinical cohort.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research