ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

201–220 of 250 studies

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Treatment of central sensitization in patients with 'unexplained' chronic pain: what options do we have?

Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira, Van Oosterwijck, Jessica et al.·Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy·2011

This review examines how the nervous system can become overly sensitive to pain signals, a condition called central sensitization that occurs in many chronic pain disorders including ME/CFS. The authors summarize different treatment approaches—including medications, physical therapy, brain stimulation, and stress management—that may help calm down an overactive pain processing system in the brain and spinal cord.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The role of corticosteroids and stress in chronic pain conditions.

McEwen, Bruce S, Kalia, Madhu·Metabolism: clinical and experimental·2010

This review explores how stress hormones (corticosteroids) and the body's stress response system affect chronic pain conditions, including ME/CFS. The authors explain that these hormones can have surprising and contradictory effects—sometimes reducing pain, sometimes increasing it—depending on the dose and where they act in the body. They examine how chronic stress and nervous system changes in conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and IBS may be linked to pain through brain changes and immune system activity.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI): from molecular epidemiology to molecular medicine.

De Luca, C, Scordo, G, Cesareo, E et al.·Indian journal of experimental biology·2010

Some people with ME/CFS and related conditions may have difficulty processing chemicals, metals, and other substances they encounter in the environment because of inherited or acquired differences in how their bodies handle these toxins. This review suggests that genetic variations affecting enzymes responsible for detoxifying chemicals, combined with problems in the body's antioxidant systems, might explain why some people react strongly to very small amounts of environmental exposures. Understanding these biological mechanisms could help develop personalized treatments.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia syndrome: a discussion of the syndrome and pharmacotherapy.

Smith, Howard S, Barkin, Robert L·American journal of therapeutics·2010

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body, along with fatigue, sleep problems, brain fog, and mood changes. This article explains that fibromyalgia may share common features with ME/CFS and other conditions involving heightened pain sensitivity. While there is no cure, doctors can help manage symptoms through exercise, therapy, patient education, and specific medications.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Functional somatic syndrome in dental practice].

Inamitsu, Tetsuaki·Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine·2009

Many people experience pain and discomfort in their face, jaw, and mouth that doctors and dentists cannot easily explain with standard tests. This review discusses how conditions like temporomandibular disorder (jaw pain), burning mouth syndrome, and facial pain are related to each other and to broader conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. These conditions often occur alongside anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, and treating them effectively requires a team approach including medication, physical therapy, and counseling.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia: pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic concerns.

Podolecki, Tomasz, Podolecki, Andrzej, Hrycek, Antoni·Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej·2009

Fibromyalgia is a condition causing widespread muscle and joint pain that affects many people worldwide. This review examines what we know about fibromyalgia's causes, how doctors diagnose it, and how it can be treated. The authors note that fibromyalgia likely results from multiple factors involving the nervous system, brain chemistry, and immune function, and that treatment typically involves antidepressants, therapy, and other approaches.

Pain and SensitizationDiagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fisher, M McD, Rose, M·British journal of anaesthesia·2008

This study looked at how anesthesia should be safely given to ME/CFS patients undergoing surgery. Researchers found that while some patients experienced side effects after anesthesia, these were not severe allergic reactions and were usually temporary. The study suggests that doctors can use standard anesthesia techniques for ME/CFS patients, simply avoiding any drugs the patient has previously reacted badly to.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Comorbid somatic symptoms and functional status in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: sensory amplification as a common mechanism.

Geisser, Michael E, Strader Donnell, Cathy, Petzke, Frank et al.·Psychosomatics·2008

This study looked at why people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS experience so many body symptoms. Researchers found that both conditions may share a common problem: the nervous system amplifies sensory signals, making pain and other sensations feel stronger than they might to other people. This heightened sensitivity to stimulation appears to be a key reason why these conditions affect daily functioning, and this mechanism seems separate from depression.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Resting muscle pain as the first clinical symptom in children carrying the MTTK A8344G mutation.

van de Glind, Gretha, de Vries, Maaike, Rodenburg, Richard et al.·European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society·2007

This study describes children in a family who carried a specific genetic mutation in their mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells) and presented with muscle pain as their first symptom. The researchers found that muscle pain combined with fatigue in children can sometimes be mistakenly labeled as fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, when the real cause is actually a rare inherited mitochondrial disorder called MERRF syndrome.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

[Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in children and adolescents].

Galanopoulos, Ng, Kampakis, Gp, Ladopoulou, Kf·Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki·2007

This review discusses fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) in children and teenagers, noting that both conditions are fairly common in this age group. Patients with these conditions experience widespread muscle pain, exhaustion, depression, headaches, and sleep problems that can significantly impact school, family life, and overall development. The authors emphasize that early diagnosis and treatment combining medication, physical therapy, and psychological support are important for helping young people manage these conditions.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The association between experimental and clinical pain measures among persons with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Geisser, Michael E, Gracely, Richard H, Giesecke, Thorsten et al.·European journal of pain (London, England)·2007

Researchers tested whether laboratory pain tests (using heat and pressure) could predict the pain people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS experience in daily life. They found that pressure-based tests were better predictors of real-world pain than heat tests, suggesting that pressure stimulation may be a more useful research tool for studying pain in these conditions.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Central sensitization: a biopsychosocial explanation for chronic widespread pain in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Meeus, Mira, Nijs, Jo·Clinical rheumatology·2007

Many people with ME/CFS experience widespread pain in addition to fatigue, similar to fibromyalgia. This paper proposes that both conditions may be caused by 'central sensitization'—a problem where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals. The authors review evidence suggesting this mechanism could explain ME/CFS pain, though more research is needed to confirm it.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation and fibromyalgia.

Gilula, Marshall F·Expert review of medical devices·2007

This review examines cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES), a treatment that uses mild electrical stimulation applied to the head to help manage fibromyalgia pain and related symptoms. While CES is not a cure-all, research suggests it may help some fibromyalgia patients feel better. The review also discusses how fibromyalgia often occurs alongside other conditions like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and fatigue—symptoms that overlap with ME/CFS.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Clinical features of chronic fatigue syndrome--symptoms].

Ban, Nobutaro, Saiki, Takuya, Ko, Gyoshin et al.·Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine·2007

This review article summarizes the most common symptoms experienced by people with ME/CFS. The researchers identified and described the top 10 symptoms in detail, including severe fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, muscle pain, poor sleep, and headaches. Understanding these symptom patterns can help doctors recognize and diagnose ME/CFS more accurately.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia and overlapping disorders: the unifying concept of central sensitivity syndromes.

Yunus, Muhammad B·Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism·2007

This paper proposes that fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and certain headaches may all share a common underlying problem: the nervous system becomes too sensitive to pain and other signals. Rather than being separate diseases, they might be related conditions caused by similar changes in how the brain and body communicate, combined with stress and emotional factors.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Violence, stress, and somatic syndromes.

Crofford, Leslie J·Trauma, violence & abuse·2007

This review article examines how experiences of violence and stress may trigger or worsen conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome—illnesses that involve pain, exhaustion, mood changes, memory problems, and sleep issues. The authors explain that stress affects the brain and body's hormone and nervous system function, which may make people more vulnerable to developing these conditions. Understanding this connection could help us recognize how violence exposure affects long-term health.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Efficacy of neurotropin in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case report.

Toda, Katsuhiro, Kimura, Hiroaki·Hiroshima journal of medical sciences·2006

This case report describes one 28-year-old man with ME/CFS who was treated with a medication called Neurotropin (four tablets daily). His fatigue and widespread pain began improving within a week, and his sleep, focus, and memory improved within two weeks. He stopped taking the medication after 11 weeks and remained symptom-free for at least 5 months afterward.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Multiple chemical sensitivity in sick-building syndrome].

Arnold Llamosas, Pablo A, Arrizabalaga Clemente, Pilar, Bonet Agusti, Montserrat et al.·Medicina clinica·2006

This study describes a dialysis worker who developed severe chronic fatigue and chemical sensitivities after prolonged exposure to poor indoor air quality in a poorly ventilated building. The person experienced eye irritation, breathing problems, and other symptoms that improved when the environmental conditions were examined and their connection to the illness was confirmed. The case highlights that healthcare facilities can expose workers to unhealthy air and chemical environments that may trigger ME/CFS-like illnesses.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Masuda, Akinori, Kihara, Takashi, Fukudome, Tsuyoshi et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2005

This study followed two ME/CFS patients who tried a type of heat therapy called far-infrared sauna (heated to 60°C) combined with warming afterward. After about 15-25 sessions, both patients reported major improvements in fatigue, pain, sleep problems, and fever. They continued the therapy once or twice a week for a year and did not get worse, even after stopping their previous medication.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical hypersensitivity after insecticide exposure].

Fernández-Solà, Joaquim, Lluís Padierna, Meritxell, Nogué Xarau, Santiago et al.·Medicina clinica·2005

This study followed 26 people who developed ME/CFS after being exposed to insecticide sprays at their workplace. Most patients were women who first experienced airway inflammation and digestive problems, followed by brain fog, muscle pain, and fatigue. About one-third also developed chemical sensitivity. The researchers emphasize that proper ventilation and safety precautions during and after insecticide use are crucial to prevent these illnesses.

Pain and Sensitization

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Treatment of central sensitization in patients with 'unexplained' chronic pain: what options do we have?

The role of corticosteroids and stress in chronic pain conditions.

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI): from molecular epidemiology to molecular medicine.

Fibromyalgia syndrome: a discussion of the syndrome and pharmacotherapy.

[Functional somatic syndrome in dental practice].

Fibromyalgia: pathogenetic, diagnostic and therapeutic concerns.

Anaesthesia for patients with idiopathic environmental intolerance and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Comorbid somatic symptoms and functional status in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: sensory amplification as a common mechanism.

Resting muscle pain as the first clinical symptom in children carrying the MTTK A8344G mutation.

[Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in children and adolescents].

The association between experimental and clinical pain measures among persons with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Central sensitization: a biopsychosocial explanation for chronic widespread pain in patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation and fibromyalgia.

[Clinical features of chronic fatigue syndrome--symptoms].

Fibromyalgia and overlapping disorders: the unifying concept of central sensitivity syndromes.

Violence, stress, and somatic syndromes.

Efficacy of neurotropin in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case report.

[Multiple chemical sensitivity in sick-building syndrome].

The effects of repeated thermal therapy for two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome and multiple chemical hypersensitivity after insecticide exposure].

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