ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

1721–1740 of 6,157 studies

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 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 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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

A MAPP Network Case-control Study of Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Compared With Nonurological Pain Conditions.

Afari, Niloofar, Buchwald, Dedra, Clauw, Daniel et al.·The Clinical journal of pain·2020

This study compared people with chronic pelvic pain conditions to people with other widespread chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as healthy volunteers. Researchers found that while these conditions affect different parts of the body, people with all these conditions share similar emotional and psychological challenges—like anxiety, depression, and stress—suggesting they may share common underlying causes. The study suggests that treating these conditions effectively may require addressing both physical pain and psychological factors together.

E2 ModeratePEM not requiredRegistry-Resource

Exploring the concept of vigor and dys-vigor in men of 50-65 years: effects of Robuvit®.

Ledda, Andrea, Hosoi, Morio, Cesarone, Maria R et al.·Panminerva medica·2020

This small study tested whether a supplement called Robuvit® (made from oak wood extract) could help middle-aged men feel more energetic and less tired. Forty men aged 50-65 who felt exhausted took either standard lifestyle advice alone or the same advice plus the supplement for 4 weeks. Both groups improved, but the men taking Robuvit® reported significantly better energy levels and had lower markers of cellular stress in their blood.

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 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 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

Pain in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Brodwall, Elias Myrstad, Pedersen, Maria, Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre et al.·Scandinavian journal of pain·2020

This study looked at pain symptoms in teenagers who developed chronic fatigue after a common virus infection (Epstein-Barr virus). Researchers compared teenagers who had the virus and became fatigued, those who had the virus but did not become fatigued, and healthy teenagers without the virus. They found that the fatigued group reported significantly more pain symptoms and that the amount of pain they experienced was strongly linked to their quality of life.

Pain and Sensitization

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 not requiredCross-Sectional

Metabolic Dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Not Due to Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies.

Nilsson, Isabell, Palmer, Jeremy, Apostolou, Eirini et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2020

Researchers tested whether ME/CFS patients have immune system antibodies that attack their mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells), similar to what happens in a different disease called primary biliary cholangitis. They found that ME/CFS patients almost never have these specific antibodies, while patients with the other disease have them consistently. This suggests that the energy problems seen in ME/CFS are caused by something other than the immune system attacking mitochondria.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Hospital Records of Pain, Fatigue, or Circulatory Symptoms in Girls Exposed to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Cohort, Self-Controlled Case Series, and Population Time Trend Studies.

Thomsen, Reimar Wernich, Öztürk, Buket, Pedersen, Lars et al.·American journal of epidemiology·2020

This large Danish study looked at whether the HPV vaccine (which prevents cervical cancer) was linked to symptoms like pain, fatigue, or heart problems in girls. Researchers compared vaccinated and unvaccinated girls over 14 years and found no increase in hospital visits for these symptoms in vaccinated girls. The symptoms they tracked increased over time in both vaccinated and unvaccinated children, suggesting other factors were responsible.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Cognitive factors are associated with disability and pain, but not fatigue among physiotherapy attendees with persistent pain and fatigue.

Thompson, Dave P, Antcliff, Deborah, Woby, Steve R·Physiotherapy·2020

This study looked at how thoughts and beliefs affect pain, disability, and fatigue in people with long-term pain and exhaustion who were receiving physiotherapy. Researchers found that how confident people felt about managing their condition (self-efficacy) and how much they catastrophized (worried excessively) about their symptoms were linked to pain levels and disability, but surprisingly were not linked to fatigue levels.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Attentional Processing and Interpretative Bias in Functional Neurological Disorder.

Keynejad, Roxanne C, Fenby, Edward, Pick, Susannah et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2020

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS and a related condition called functional neurological disorder (FND) process information and interpret bodily sensations differently than healthy people. Researchers gave participants three types of tests: one measuring whether they automatically notice illness-related information, another testing how well they can control their attention, and a third examining whether they interpret unclear bodily sensations as signs of illness. The findings suggest that both ME/CFS and FND involve similar difficulties with attention control and a tendency to interpret bodily sensations as illness-related.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Almenar-Pérez, Eloy, Sarría, Leonor, Nathanson, Lubov et al.·Scientific reports·2020

This study looked for biological markers (tiny genetic molecules called microRNAs) in blood samples from severely ill ME/CFS patients that could help doctors diagnose the disease. Researchers found that certain microRNAs and physical characteristics of particles in the blood appeared different in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy controls. If validated in larger studies, these findings could eventually lead to a simple blood test for diagnosis.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Post-exertional Malaise in People With Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue.

Twomey, Rosie, Yeung, Samuel T, Wrightson, James G et al.·Journal of pain and symptom management·2020

This study looked at whether people with long-lasting cancer-related fatigue experience post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a condition where symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity. Researchers asked 18 people with severe, ongoing fatigue to report their experiences over six months and during exercise testing. They found that up to one-third of participants showed signs of PEM, including fatigue that worsened after minimal effort and recovery taking more than 24 hours.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

The role of low-grade inflammation in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - associations with symptoms.

Jonsjö, Martin A, Olsson, Gunnar L, Wicksell, Rikard K et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2020

This study looked at whether low-level inflammation in the blood is connected to ME/CFS symptoms like exhaustion after activity, brain fog, muscle pain, and flu-like illness. Researchers tested 53 ME/CFS patients for various inflammatory markers and found that several of these markers were associated with cognitive problems and pain, though they were surprisingly less connected to post-exertional fatigue. Interestingly, the connection between inflammation and symptoms was different for men and women in some cases.

BiomarkersImmune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

A Machine Learning Approach to the Differentiation of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) From a Sedentary Control.

Provenzano, Destie, Washington, Stuart D, Baraniuk, James N·Frontiers in computational neuroscience·2020

Researchers used a computer algorithm to analyze brain scans from ME/CFS patients and healthy controls while they performed a memory task, both before and after exercise. The algorithm was able to correctly identify which scans came from ME/CFS patients 80% of the time on the first day and 76% on the second day, suggesting that ME/CFS may create a distinctive pattern of brain activity that could eventually be used as an objective diagnostic test.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Metabolic analysis of amino acids and vitamin B6 pathways in lymphoma survivors with cancer related chronic fatigue.

Fosså, Alexander, Smeland, Knut Halvor, Fluge, Øystein et al.·PloS one·2020

This study looked at blood chemicals called amino acids and B vitamins in lymphoma survivors who experienced lasting fatigue after cancer treatment. Researchers found that people with this fatigue had lower tryptophan (an amino acid) and signs of ongoing low-level immune activation and inflammation. The study suggests that persistent tiredness after lymphoma treatment may be caused by the body's immune system staying activated longer than expected.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Numeric Rating Scales Show Prolonged Post-exertional Symptoms After Orthostatic Testing of Adults With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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

This study looked at how a specific test called head-up tilt testing (which checks how your body handles changes in position) affected ME/CFS symptoms. Researchers measured pain, fatigue, and concentration problems before and after the test in 278 ME/CFS patients and 30 healthy people. They found that ME/CFS patients experienced significantly worse symptoms for up to a week after the test, while healthy people's symptoms didn't change—suggesting that even mild physical stress can trigger prolonged symptom flares in ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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

Peripheral endothelial dysfunction in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

A MAPP Network Case-control Study of Urological Chronic Pelvic Pain Compared With Nonurological Pain Conditions.

Exploring the concept of vigor and dys-vigor in men of 50-65 years: effects of Robuvit®.

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

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

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

Pain in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

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

Metabolic Dysfunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Not Due to Anti-mitochondrial Antibodies.

Hospital Records of Pain, Fatigue, or Circulatory Symptoms in Girls Exposed to Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Cohort, Self-Controlled Case Series, and Population Time Trend Studies.

Cognitive factors are associated with disability and pain, but not fatigue among physiotherapy attendees with persistent pain and fatigue.

Attentional Processing and Interpretative Bias in Functional Neurological Disorder.

Assessing diagnostic value of microRNAs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extracellular vesicles in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Post-exertional Malaise in People With Chronic Cancer-Related Fatigue.

The role of low-grade inflammation in ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) - associations with symptoms.

A Machine Learning Approach to the Differentiation of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) From a Sedentary Control.

Metabolic analysis of amino acids and vitamin B6 pathways in lymphoma survivors with cancer related chronic fatigue.

Numeric Rating Scales Show Prolonged Post-exertional Symptoms After Orthostatic Testing of Adults With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

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