ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

21–40 of 736 studies

The pivotal role of central sensitization in long COVID, fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Goldenberg, Don L·Expert review of neurotherapeutics·2025

This study shows that long COVID, fibromyalgia, and ME/CFS may all share a common underlying problem called central sensitization—where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain and other sensations. Rather than being caused by organ damage or infection, these conditions seem to involve how the brain and nervous system process signals. The research suggests that treating these conditions with a coordinated team approach tailored to each person may be more effective than treating them as completely separate diseases.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Towards an understanding of physical activity-induced post-exertional malaise: Insights into microvascular alterations and immunometabolic interactions in post-COVID condition and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Haunhorst, Simon, Dudziak, Diana, Scheibenbogen, Carmen et al.·Infection·2025

This review examines why people with ME/CFS and long COVID feel much worse after physical activity—a condition called post-exertional malaise. The researchers found that when these patients exercise, their bodies struggle to use oxygen properly and produce energy efficiently, likely due to problems with tiny blood vessels and lingering immune activation. This causes a buildup of harmful substances like lactate and triggers further inflammation and exhaustion.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Applicability and adaptation of cognitive behavior therapy for long COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms: a review with insights from ME/CFS.

Takamatsu, Naoki, Kuga, Hironori·BMC infectious diseases·2025

This review examined whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)—a talking therapy that helps address thought patterns and behaviors—might help patients with long COVID who experience brain fog, fatigue, and mood problems. The authors compared long COVID to ME/CFS, noting they share many features, and found that while CBT may help some patients feel less tired and think more clearly, it works best when tailored to each person's energy limits and combined with other treatments. Importantly, the authors stress that suggesting CBT does not mean these illnesses are 'all in your head'—they have real physical causes.

NeuroinflammationImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

The search for a blood-based biomarker for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): from biochemistry to electrophysiology.

Clarke, Krista S P, Kingdon, Caroline C, Hughes, Michael Pycraft et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2025

This review looked at recent research on finding a simple blood test that could definitively diagnose ME/CFS, which currently takes years and relies on ruling out other diseases. Scientists have found several promising approaches—including measuring immune cell properties, checking how blood cells respond to stress, and detecting metabolic changes—that show they can tell ME/CFS patients apart from healthy people and others with different illnesses. However, these tests need more testing in larger groups and practical refinement before doctors can use them in everyday care.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism, energy production, and oxidative stress in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Davis, Leah, Higgs, Maisy, Snaith, Ailsa et al.·Frontiers in neuroscience·2025

This review examined research showing that ME/CFS, Gulf War Syndrome, and fibromyalgia may share similar problems with how the body produces energy and handles stress at the cellular level. Scientists found that these three conditions show signs of disrupted fat metabolism, energy production difficulties, and increased cellular damage from oxidative stress. Better understanding these shared biological problems could help doctors diagnose these conditions faster and develop treatments that target the root causes rather than just treating symptoms.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

COVID-19-associated neurological and psychological manifestations.

Wilson, Jo Ellen, Gurdasani, Deepti, Helbok, Raimund et al.·Nature reviews. Disease primers·2025

Long COVID is a condition that develops after COVID-19 infection and causes ongoing symptoms for at least 3 months. People with Long COVID commonly experience brain fog, memory problems, anxiety, depression, headaches, sleep issues, and severe exhaustion after physical activity. This review explains what we know about what causes these symptoms and why treatment needs to be personalized based on each person's unique symptoms.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Differential Characteristics and Comparison Between Long-COVID Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Ivanovska, Mariya, Homadi, Maysam Salim, Angelova, Gergana et al.·Biomedicines·2025

This review compared Long-COVID (illness after COVID-19) and ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome), which share similar symptoms like extreme tiredness, difficulty thinking clearly, and problems with the nervous system. While both conditions likely involve immune system problems, viral persistence, and blood vessel issues, they appear to have some differences in how they develop. Currently, there is no cure for either condition, though lifestyle management and rehabilitation help some people.

Immune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Markwart, Michaela, Felsenstein, Donna, Mehta, Darshan H et al.·Global advances in integrative medicine and health·2024

This review looked at studies testing whether Qigong (a gentle Chinese exercise practice) might help people with ME/CFS. Researchers found 5 good-quality studies with a total of 481 people. The results suggest Qigong may help reduce symptom severity and improve both physical and emotional well-being, though more research is needed to be sure. Currently, there are no similar high-quality studies on Tai Chi for ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Prevalence and measurement of post-exertional malaise in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

An, Yi, Guo, Ziyu, Fan, Jin et al.·General hospital psychiatry·2024

Researchers looked at 12 studies involving 2,665 patients with long COVID to understand how common post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a worsening of symptoms after physical or mental effort—is among those affected. They found that more than half of long COVID patients experience PEM. The study also identified seven different questionnaires that researchers use to measure PEM, with the DePaul Symptom Questionnaire being the most commonly used tool.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children.

Rao, Suchitra, Gross, Rachel S, Mohandas, Sindhu et al.·Pediatrics·2024

Some children who have COVID-19 experience symptoms that last for weeks or months after the initial infection—a condition called long COVID. This review summarizes what we currently know about long COVID in children, including how common it is, what symptoms children experience, and what might cause it. The authors also describe major research efforts being funded to better understand long COVID in young people and find effective treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses.

Apostolou, Eirini, Rosén, Anders·Journal of internal medicine·2024

This review examines how viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, may cause lasting changes to how our cells work in ME/CFS patients. The authors found that in about 70% of ME/CFS cases, the illness begins after a viral infection, and viruses can hide in the body while triggering long-term problems with energy, thinking, and immune function. Understanding these viral-triggered changes could help explain why different patients experience ME/CFS differently and may lead to better treatments.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.

Boruch, Alex, Branchaw, Grace, O'Connor, Patrick J et al.·Current topics in behavioral neurosciences·2024

This review examined how physical activity affects fatigue in people with ME/CFS and similar long-term illnesses, compared to healthy people. In healthy adults, exercise usually makes people feel more energized, but in people with ME/CFS and related conditions, exercise often makes fatigue worse. Short-term exercise programs show small improvements in fatigue for healthy people, but little to no improvement for those with these chronic illnesses.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Long COVID in pediatrics-epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Toepfner, Nicole, Brinkmann, Folke, Augustin, Silvia et al.·European journal of pediatrics·2024

This review looked at what we know about Long COVID in children and teenagers after COVID-19 infection. Most young people recover within a few months, but some experience long-lasting symptoms like fatigue, difficulty with exercise, and anxiety that can last over a year and affect daily life. The review found that a small number of these children meet the criteria for ME/CFS, but currently there are no blood tests or scans to confirm Long COVID, making it difficult to diagnose.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview.

Mantle, David, Hargreaves, Iain Parry, Domingo, Joan Carles et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2024

This review examines whether problems with mitochondria—the energy-producing structures inside our cells—contribute to post-viral fatigue conditions like ME/CFS, long COVID, and fibromyalgia. The researchers looked at existing research to see if a supplement called Coenzyme Q10 might help reduce fatigue and pain by supporting mitochondrial function. While mitochondrial dysfunction appears linked to these conditions, more research is needed to confirm whether CoQ10 supplementation is an effective treatment.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population- The need for caution and objective assessment.

Faghy, Mark A, Duncan, Rae, Hume, Emily et al.·Progress in cardiovascular diseases·2024

Long Covid affects millions of people worldwide with over 200 recognized symptoms that severely impact daily life. A key feature is post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a condition where symptoms dramatically worsen 24-72 hours after physical, mental, or emotional activity, sometimes lasting weeks. This review examines how to safely design rehabilitation programs for Long Covid patients while using objective monitoring tools to track how individuals respond to different activities and prevent symptom flare-ups.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Direction.

Graves, B Sue, Patel, Mitsu, Newgent, Hailey et al.·Cureus·2024

ME/CFS is a serious illness that causes extreme tiredness that doesn't improve with rest and often gets worse with activity. People with ME/CFS also struggle with brain fog, pain, sleep problems, and immune system issues. Right now, doctors don't have a simple blood test or scan to diagnose ME/CFS, which makes it hard to identify and treat the condition properly.

BiomarkersImmune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Does the effect of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) vary by patient characteristics? A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Kuut, T A, Buffart, L M, Braamse, A M J et al.·Psychological medicine·2024

This study combined data from 8 clinical trials involving 1,298 people with ME/CFS to see whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) works and who benefits most from it. Researchers found that CBT did help reduce fatigue, improve daily functioning, and increase physical activity—but the amount of benefit varied depending on patient characteristics like age, how much disability someone had, and their activity patterns. Younger patients, those with less severe disability at the start, and those with fluctuating activity patterns saw the most improvement.

Severe MEPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Excess risks of long COVID symptoms compared with identical symptoms in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with control groups.

Xu, Zijun, Wang, Wenyue, Zhang, Dexing et al.·Journal of global health·2024

This study examined whether people who had COVID-19 experience certain long-lasting symptoms more often than people who never had COVID-19. Researchers combined results from 51 studies involving millions of people and found that COVID-19 survivors had about twice the risk of developing long COVID symptoms. The most striking findings were for loss of smell and taste, followed by post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity), shortness of breath, brain fog, and fatigue.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Translating insights into therapies for Long Covid.

Antar, Annukka A R, Cox, Andrea L·Science translational medicine·2024

Long Covid causes a variety of symptoms—like exhaustion, weakness, and brain fog—that last long after a COVID-19 infection ends. This review examines what scientists currently understand about what might cause Long Covid and looks at early laboratory studies and clinical trials testing potential treatments. The authors emphasize that more large-scale research is needed to understand why different people experience different symptoms and to develop effective therapies.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Advancing Research and Treatment: An Overview of Clinical Trials in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Future Perspectives.

Seton, Katharine A, Espejo-Oltra, José A, Giménez-Orenga, Karen et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2024

This review examined research studies testing various treatments for ME/CFS, including medications and supplements that target different aspects of the illness like immune function, metabolism, and gut health. The authors found that current treatments mainly manage symptoms rather than address the root causes, with very few patients recovering fully. They emphasize that better-designed clinical trials are urgently needed to find treatments that actually work and can be used in real-world medical practice.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

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Evidence browser

The pivotal role of central sensitization in long COVID, fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Towards an understanding of physical activity-induced post-exertional malaise: Insights into microvascular alterations and immunometabolic interactions in post-COVID condition and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Applicability and adaptation of cognitive behavior therapy for long COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms: a review with insights from ME/CFS.

The search for a blood-based biomarker for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): from biochemistry to electrophysiology.

Dysregulation of lipid metabolism, energy production, and oxidative stress in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, Gulf War Syndrome and fibromyalgia.

COVID-19-associated neurological and psychological manifestations.

Differential Characteristics and Comparison Between Long-COVID Syndrome and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Prevalence and measurement of post-exertional malaise in post-acute COVID-19 syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 in Children.

Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses.

Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.

Long COVID in pediatrics-epidemiology, diagnosis, and management.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation in Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview.

Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population- The need for caution and objective assessment.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Future Direction.

Does the effect of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) vary by patient characteristics? A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Excess risks of long COVID symptoms compared with identical symptoms in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with control groups.

Translating insights into therapies for Long Covid.

Advancing Research and Treatment: An Overview of Clinical Trials in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Future Perspectives.

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