Search and filter 6,145 studies by evidence level, diagnostic criteria, PEM status, and research domain. Each entry links to the original source.
Studies sorted by evidence level, then year. Browse by topic instead →
Evidence level (E0–E3) reflects study type and replication, not methodological quality. A weak systematic review still sits at E0. How evidence levels work →
21–40 of 272 studies
Landis, Carol A·Handbook of clinical neurology·2011
This review examined the connections between sleep problems, pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The author looked at existing research to understand how poor sleep and pain symptoms often occur together in these conditions and how they may be related to each other.
Caminero, Ana, Bartolomé, Manuel·Journal of the neurological sciences·2011
This review examined how often people with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience sleep problems and how these problems affect their daily life. The researchers found that sleep disorders are much more common in MS patients than in the general population, and that sleep problems and MS can make each other worse. The review discusses many types of sleep issues including insomnia, restless legs, and sleep apnea, and emphasizes that treating sleep problems should be an important part of caring for MS patients.
Davidson, Jonathan R T, Crawford, Cindy, Ives, John A et al.·The Journal of clinical psychiatry·2011
This review looked at 25 studies testing whether homeopathic treatments help with psychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. The researchers found some evidence that homeopathy might help with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, but it did not help with anxiety or stress. Overall, the quality of the studies was mixed, and more research is needed to draw firm conclusions.
Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn, Kempke, Stefan, Luyten, Patrick·Current psychiatry reports·2010
This review examines how ME/CFS and fibromyalgia are connected to psychiatric symptoms like depression and stress. The authors explain that these conditions involve overlapping physical symptoms—extreme tiredness, difficulty with activity, brain fog, and widespread pain—that often start after infections or injuries. They suggest that the best approach for patients is personalized lifestyle management and self-care tailored to individual needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all treatment.
Sánchez-Barceló, E J, Mediavilla, M D, Tan, D X et al.·Current medicinal chemistry·2010
This review looked at 20 years of clinical trials testing whether melatonin (a natural hormone that regulates sleep) could help treat various diseases. The researchers found that melatonin appears to be safe and helpful for sleep problems and certain conditions, but more research is needed to confirm whether it helps with chronic fatigue syndrome and other illnesses.
Gur, Ali, Oktayoglu, Pelin·Current pharmaceutical design·2008
This review examines how ME/CFS and fibromyalgia may both involve problems in the nervous system—specifically in how the brain processes pain, manages stress hormones, and controls automatic body functions. The authors discuss why current treatments are limited and explore new medication approaches that target brain chemicals involved in pain and fatigue.
Kumar, Raminder·Drugs·2008
This review looked at studies testing modafinil, a medication that promotes wakefulness, in different conditions including sleep disorders and fatigue-related illnesses. The authors found that modafinil works well for approved conditions like narcolepsy and sleep apnea, but studies testing it for chronic fatigue syndrome were very small and gave unclear results. The medication can cause side effects like insomnia, headaches, and appetite loss, and may interact with other drugs.
Fischler, B·Sleep medicine reviews·1999
This review examined how ME/CFS differs from depression and what role sleep problems play in the condition. The researchers found that ME/CFS is a distinct illness with its own biological features—not just depression wearing a different mask. While sleep problems are common in ME/CFS, they don't fully explain why patients feel so exhausted and unwell.
Buchwald, D·Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America·1996
This review compared ME/CFS and fibromyalgia (FM), two conditions that cause fatigue, muscle pain, and sleep problems. The researchers found that these two illnesses are very similar in their symptoms and how they affect people's lives, even though doctors use different criteria to diagnose them. Some patients have both conditions at the same time, which makes their suffering worse.
Wang, Shoujian, Ren, Jun, Zhou, Xin et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2026
This study tested whether Tuina, a hands-on therapy from traditional Chinese medicine, could help people with ME/CFS feel less tired. Over 4 weeks, people who received Tuina three times per week alongside their usual care felt significantly better than those who received usual care alone. The improvement was especially noticeable for physical tiredness, and people also reported better sleep and less anxiety.
Rivas Neira, S, Pasqual Marques, A, Fernández Cervantes, R et al.·Physiotherapy·2024
This study compared two types of exercise therapy for women with fibromyalgia: exercising in a pool (aquatic therapy) versus exercising on land. Both groups did 60-minute exercise sessions three times a week for 12 weeks. Six weeks after the program ended, women who did aquatic therapy reported less pain and better sleep quality than those who exercised on land, suggesting that water-based exercise may be particularly helpful for fibromyalgia.
Li, Zhijun, Ji, Rong, Yan, Chaoqun et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2024
Researchers tested whether massaging a specific acupuncture point called Shenque (located on the abdomen) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Patients in the treatment group received 10-minute massages three times a week for four weeks, while the control group received no treatment. The treatment group showed meaningful improvements in fatigue and sleep quality compared to the control group.
Martín-Borràs, Carme, González Serra, Gemma, Carrasco-Querol, Noèlia et al.·Frontiers in physiology·2024
Researchers tested a 12-hour program combining physical activity guidance, nutrition advice, and sleep/timing education for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Participants who completed the program increased their weekly activity, reduced sitting time, slept better, and showed improvements in strength and aerobic fitness compared to those receiving standard care. These improvements appeared within 3 months of completing the brief intervention.
Xie, Fangfang, Dong, Wenjun, Guan, Chong et al.·Complementary medicine research·2023
This study tested whether Yijinjing, an ancient Chinese exercise practice with 12 movements, could help patients with ME/CFS. Forty patients either practiced Yijinjing six times per week for 12 weeks or received cognitive behavioral education. The Yijinjing group showed greater improvements in fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life compared to the education group.
Xie, Fangfang, You, Yanli, Guan, Chong et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2022
This study tested whether a traditional Chinese exercise called Qigong (specifically the Prolong Life with Nine Turn Method) could help people with ME/CFS feel less tired, sleep better, and experience less anxiety and depression. Ninety patients tried either the Qigong exercise or cognitive behavioral therapy (a talk-based treatment) for 12 weeks, and both groups improved significantly, with Qigong showing slightly better results.
Castro-Marrero, Jesús, Zaragozá, Maria-Cleofé, López-Vílchez, Irene et al.·Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2021
This study tested whether taking melatonin (1 mg) and zinc (10 mg) together could help reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients. Over 16 weeks, people taking the supplement reported feeling less physically tired compared to those taking placebo, and they also reported better overall quality of life. The supplements appeared to be safe with no serious side effects reported.
Castro-Marrero, Jesús, Segundo, Maria Jose, Lacasa, Marcos et al.·Nutrients·2021
This study tested whether taking two supplements together—coenzyme Q10 and NADH—could help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people with ME/CFS. Over 200 patients took either the supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks. The group taking the supplements reported feeling less mentally tired, slept better, and experienced improvements in their overall quality of life compared to the placebo group.
Macher, Susanne, Herster, Cornelia, Holter, Magdalena et al.·Nutrients·2020
This study looked at whether giving iron supplements to blood donors with iron deficiency could improve fatigue, sleep problems, and restless legs syndrome. After 8-12 weeks of taking either intravenous or oral iron supplements, patients reported significant improvements in fatigue, sleep quality, and restless legs symptoms, along with fewer headaches and dizziness. Both types of iron supplementation worked similarly well.
Lin, Yu-Fang, Zhu, Jian-Fang, Chen, Yi-Dan et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2020
This study tested whether ginger-separated moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving burning herbs on the skin) could help ME/CFS patients feel less tired, sleep better, and feel less depressed. Over 4 weeks, patients who received moxibustion in addition to normal diet and exercise showed significant improvements in fatigue, sleep quality, and depression compared to those who only made lifestyle changes.
Meng, Xiu-Dong, Guo, Hao-Ran, Zhang, Qing-Ying et al.·Complementary therapies in clinical practice·2020
This study tested whether cupping therapy—a traditional treatment where cups create suction on the skin—could help people with ME/CFS feel less tired. Researchers divided 112 patients into three groups that received different levels of suction and compared the results. After 10 sessions over 5 weeks, all groups reported improvements in fatigue and sleep, with 10 sessions working better than 5 sessions, though the pressure levels didn't make much difference.
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Thematic groupings by clinical question or research area.
PET imaging and other studies providing evidence for brain inflammation in ME/CFS.
NeurologyMetabolomics and mitochondrial function studies revealing energy metabolism disruption.
MetabolismStudies identifying potential biological markers for ME/CFS diagnosis and stratification.
Biomarker