ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

201–220 of 6,209 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Exercise Training in Non-Hospitalized Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome-A Narrative Review.

Sick, Johanna, König, Daniel·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This review looked at seven studies involving 935 people with long-COVID symptoms who were not hospitalized during their initial infection. The studies found that exercise programs improved fitness, physical function, and reduced symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and depression. The exercise was generally well-tolerated, but the authors urge caution for people with post-exertional malaise or ME/CFS, since these conditions may respond differently to exercise.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredEditorial

The Draft Report by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare Does Not Provide Any Evidence That Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Are Safe and Effective Treatments for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study examined whether a German health institute's recommendation for graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat ME/CFS was supported by good evidence. The researchers found serious problems with the studies being used to make this recommendation, including weak study designs, reliance on patient reports rather than objective measurements, and inclusion of people who may not have had ME/CFS. They concluded these treatments should not be recommended based on the available evidence.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 unclearSystematic-Review

Identifying, synthesising and appraising existing evidence relating to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and pregnancy: a mixed-methods systematic review.

Slack, Emma, Pears, Katrina Anne, Rankin, Judith et al.·BMJ open·2023

This review looked at all available research about how ME/CFS affects pregnancy and how pregnancy affects ME/CFS. Researchers found very few good quality studies on this topic. The existing studies showed mixed results: some women's ME/CFS got worse during pregnancy, some stayed the same, and some improved. The review highlights that pregnant people with ME/CFS need personalized care and extra support, but we need much more research to give clear medical guidance.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

DNA Methylation Signatures of Functional Somatic Syndromes: Systematic Review.

Fischer, Susanne, Kleinstäuber, Maria, Fiori, Laura M et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2023

This review looked at research on DNA changes in people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. Scientists found that people with these conditions have different patterns of chemical switches on their genes compared to healthy people, particularly in genes that control immune function and stress response. These differences may help explain why people with ME/CFS experience fatigue, pain, and other symptoms.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The role of psychiatry in diagnosis and treatment of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping literature review.

Dolp, Reinhard, Wardle, David Pr, Khalid-Khan, Sarosh·International journal of adolescent medicine and health·2023

This review looked at how psychiatry (the medical specialty focused on mental health) is involved in diagnosing and treating ME/CFS in children and teenagers. The researchers searched medical literature and found that psychiatrists are rarely part of the care team for young people with ME/CFS, and when they are involved, their role is often unclear or limited to treating separate mental health problems. The study suggests that psychiatry could potentially play a more defined and helpful role in caring for children and adolescents with ME/CFS.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Fang, Yang, Yue, Bo-Wen, Ma, Han-Bo et al.·Medicine·2022

This review looked at 51 studies testing whether acupuncture and moxibustion (traditional Chinese medicine treatments) help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The researchers combined results from these studies and found that traditional Chinese medicine treatments, especially moxibustion alone or combined with acupuncture, showed better improvements in fatigue symptoms compared to other treatments like standard Western medicines.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ramírez-Morales, Ricardo, Bermúdez-Benítez, Elyzabeth, Martínez-Martínez, Laura-Aline et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2022

This study looked at how often fibromyalgia and ME/CFS occur together in the same patients by reviewing 21 published research papers. The researchers found that nearly half of people diagnosed with one condition also had the other condition. This overlap suggests these two illnesses share common features, particularly fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and brain fog.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Breast Implant-Associated Immunological Disorders.

Suh, Lily J, Khan, Imran, Kelley-Patteson, Christine et al.·Journal of immunology research·2022

This review examined reports of illness associated with breast implants, which can cause fatigue, joint pain, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms similar to those in ME/CFS. Researchers found evidence that breast implants may trigger autoimmune problems in some people, and that removing implants improved symptoms in over half of patients studied. The review suggests that bacterial infections around implants, rather than the implant material itself, might be responsible for these problems.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredEditorial

The Updated NICE Guidance Exposed the Serious Flaws in CBT and Graded Exercise Therapy Trials for ME/CFS.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2022

This study reviewed the evidence that was used to support two common ME/CFS treatments: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET). The authors found that the studies supporting these treatments had serious design problems—such as unclear definitions of recovery, not properly measuring actual improvements, and not publishing results that didn't support the treatments. The authors conclude that these flawed studies don't actually prove CBT and GET work, which aligns with the new British health guidelines recommending against these treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Systemic conditions associated with increased risk to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Dos Santos, Erison Santana, Pérez-de-Oliveira, Maria Eduarda, Normando, Ana Gabriela Costa et al.·Head & neck·2022

This review looked at whether people with certain long-term health conditions—including chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)—are at higher risk for developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (a type of mouth cancer). Researchers analyzed data from over 1 million patients worldwide and found that people with ME/CFS, along with several rare genetic conditions and those who had bone marrow transplants, do have an increased risk. The study suggests doctors should pay special attention to mouth health in patients with these conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Is It Useful to Question the Recovery Behaviour of Patients with ME/CFS or Long COVID?

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Friso·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2022

This review looked at research studies testing two treatments commonly recommended for ME/CFS: graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The researchers found that patients were actually more likely to be unable to work after receiving these treatments than before, and that both treatments can be harmful. The authors conclude that doctors should stop encouraging ME/CFS patients to push themselves harder to recover, since these approaches don't work and may make things worse.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Stigma perceived by patients with functional somatic syndromes and its effect on health outcomes - A systematic review.

Ko, Charlotte, Lucassen, Peter, van der Linden, Britt et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2022

This review examined whether patients with functional somatic syndromes like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS experience more stigma and negative health effects than patients with other medical conditions. The researchers found that ME/CFS and fibromyalgia patients did experience higher levels of stigma compared to patients with clearly explained medical conditions, and stigma was linked to worse health outcomes in all groups studied.

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

What Primary Care Practitioners Need to Know about the New NICE Guideline for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Adults.

Kingdon, Caroline, Lowe, Adam, Shepherd, Charles et al.·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2022

The new NICE guideline (published October 2021) represents an important shift in how ME/CFS is recognized and treated. It acknowledges that ME/CFS is a serious medical condition, recognizes post-exertional malaise as a core symptom, and recommends against treatments like graded exercise therapy that can worsen symptoms. Instead, it calls for personalized care plans developed by a team of healthcare professionals who understand the condition.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEvidence-Map

Fatigue, post-exertional malaise and orthostatic intolerance: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.

Arienti, Chiara, Cordani, Claudio, Lazzarini, Stefano G et al.·European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicine·2022

This study looked at what treatments have helped people with fatigue and exercise problems in other conditions to understand what might help people with long COVID. Researchers found that exercise programs, telehealth rehabilitation, and educational interventions showed promise for fatigue, while combined aerobic and anaerobic training helped with exercise intolerance. However, they found very little research specifically on post-exertional malaise (feeling much worse after activity) or orthostatic intolerance (dizziness when standing), which are key symptoms in post-COVID and ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Stabilometric Biofeedback Training in Cognitive and Affective Function Improvement. Contribution of the Russian Scientific School. Part II.

Bazanova, O M, Kovaleva, A V·Human physiology·2022

This review examines how balance training using computer feedback can help improve thinking, mood, and symptom management in people with chronic fatigue syndrome and other neurological conditions. The researchers looked at studies from Russia and other countries that used a technique called stabilometric biofeedback, which shows patients real-time information about their body's balance and posture to help them improve control and function.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

What treatments work for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome? An updated systematic review.

Clery, Philippa, Royston, Alexander, Driver, Katie et al.·BMJ open·2022

This review looked at studies on treating anxiety and depression in children with ME/CFS. Researchers found only 16 studies since 1991 that measured these mental health symptoms. While some treatments like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) showed promise, the quality of evidence was poor and there were too few studies to say which treatments actually work best for children with ME/CFS who have anxiety or depression.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating prognosis following treatment for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ingman, Tom, Smakowski, Abigail, Goldsmith, Kimberley et al.·Psychological medicine·2022

This review examined 15 studies testing whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) help adults with ME/CFS. About 44% of people felt better after CBT and 43% felt better after GET in the short to medium term, compared to smaller improvements in control groups. However, most studies were only moderate to weak quality, and results may not apply to people with severe ME/CFS.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The underlying sex differences in neuroendocrine adaptations relevant to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Thomas, Natalie, Gurvich, Caroline, Huang, Katherine et al.·Frontiers in neuroendocrinology·2022

This review examines why ME/CFS affects women much more often than men and how sex hormones may play a role. The authors found that female hormonal changes—such as those during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause—are linked to ME/CFS onset and symptoms. They suggest that differences in how men's and women's bodies handle stress hormones like cortisol and estrogen may help explain why women develop ME/CFS more frequently and sometimes experience different symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Post-viral fatigue in COVID-19: A review of symptom assessment methods, mental, cognitive, and physical impairment.

Campos, Maria Cristine, Nery, Tatyana, Starke, Ana Carolina et al.·Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews·2022

This review looked at how doctors and researchers measure fatigue in people who have long-term tiredness after COVID-19. The study found that fatigue after COVID-19 is common and can affect thinking, mood, and physical abilities. The researchers identified different tools—questionnaires and performance tests—that can help measure how tired someone feels and how much their tiredness limits their daily activities.

Cognitive Impairment

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Exercise Training in Non-Hospitalized Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome-A Narrative Review.

The Draft Report by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare Does Not Provide Any Evidence That Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Are Safe and Effective Treatments for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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

Identifying, synthesising and appraising existing evidence relating to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and pregnancy: a mixed-methods systematic review.

DNA Methylation Signatures of Functional Somatic Syndromes: Systematic Review.

The role of psychiatry in diagnosis and treatment of paediatric chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping literature review.

Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Clinical overlap between fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Breast Implant-Associated Immunological Disorders.

The Updated NICE Guidance Exposed the Serious Flaws in CBT and Graded Exercise Therapy Trials for ME/CFS.

Systemic conditions associated with increased risk to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Is It Useful to Question the Recovery Behaviour of Patients with ME/CFS or Long COVID?

Stigma perceived by patients with functional somatic syndromes and its effect on health outcomes - A systematic review.

What Primary Care Practitioners Need to Know about the New NICE Guideline for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Adults.

Fatigue, post-exertional malaise and orthostatic intolerance: a map of Cochrane evidence relevant to rehabilitation for people with post COVID-19 condition.

Stabilometric Biofeedback Training in Cognitive and Affective Function Improvement. Contribution of the Russian Scientific School. Part II.

What treatments work for anxiety and depression in children and adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome? An updated systematic review.

A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials evaluating prognosis following treatment for adults with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The underlying sex differences in neuroendocrine adaptations relevant to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Post-viral fatigue in COVID-19: A review of symptom assessment methods, mental, cognitive, and physical impairment.

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