ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2141–2160 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Treatment Outcome and Metacognitive Change in CBT and GET for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Fernie, Bruce A, Murphy, Gabrielle, Wells, Adrian et al.·Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy·2016

This study tested whether two common treatments for ME/CFS—cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET)—work equally well in real-world clinical settings. Researchers found that both treatments reduced fatigue, anxiety, and depression, and improved physical functioning similarly. They also discovered that changes in how patients think about their symptoms (measured by a questionnaire) were linked to improvements in fatigue, regardless of which treatment they received.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Index markers of chronic fatigue syndrome with dysfunction of TCA and urea cycles.

Yamano, Emi, Sugimoto, Masahiro, Hirayama, Akiyoshi et al.·Scientific reports·2016

Researchers analyzed blood samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people to look for chemical markers that could help diagnose the disease. They found that certain metabolites—molecules involved in energy production and waste removal—were abnormal in ME/CFS patients. Two specific chemical ratios in the blood showed promise as potential diagnostic tools, correctly identifying CFS patients about 75-80% of the time.

BiomarkersEnergy Metabolism

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Self-critical perfectionism predicts lower cortisol response to experimental stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kempke, Stefan, Luyten, Patrick, Mayes, Linda C et al.·Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association·2016

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS who tend to be hard on themselves and set unrealistically high standards (self-critical perfectionism) have a different stress response than others. Researchers gave 41 women with ME/CFS a stressful test and measured their cortisol (a stress hormone) levels. They found that those with higher self-critical perfectionism felt more stressed mentally, but their bodies produced less cortisol in response—suggesting their stress system isn't working as well as it should.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The prevalence of severe fatigue in rheumatic diseases: an international study.

Overman, Cécile L, Kool, Marianne B, Da Silva, José A P et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2016

This study surveyed over 6,000 people with various rheumatic diseases (conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus that affect joints and connective tissue) to measure how common severe fatigue is. They found that about half of patients with rheumatic diseases experience severe fatigue, with the highest rates in fibromyalgia (82%) and lowest in osteoarthritis (35%). The researchers suggest that understanding and treating fatigue should be a major focus for doctors and researchers.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Comparison of the functional health limitations of Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans to Desert Shield/Storm Veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome.

McAndrew, Lisa M, Chandler, Helena K, Serrador, Jorge M et al.·Military behavioral health·2016

This study looked at veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who developed ME/CFS (a condition causing persistent fatigue and other symptoms) and compared them to veterans from the 1991 Gulf War who also had ME/CFS. The researchers found that about 1 in 6 Iraq/Afghanistan veterans developed ME/CFS, and while their physical symptoms were similar to Gulf War veterans with ME/CFS, they experienced more mental health challenges like depression or anxiety.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

TauG-guidance of dynamic balance control during gait initiation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Rasouli, Omid, Stensdotter, Ann-Katrin, Van der Meer, Audrey L H·Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)·2016

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia balance themselves when they start to walk. Using special equipment that measures foot pressure, researchers found that patients with both conditions had more difficulty controlling their weight shift onto one foot compared to healthy people. This suggests that balance problems in these conditions aren't just about standing still—they also affect the dynamic movements needed for everyday activities like walking.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Characteristics of patients contacting a center for undiagnosed and rare diseases.

Mueller, Tobias, Jerrentrup, Andreas, Bauer, Max Jakob et al.·Orphanet journal of rare diseases·2016

This study looked at 522 adults who visited a hospital center for help with diseases that hadn't been diagnosed yet. Most patients were women, and their main complaints were general weakness, joint pain, and stomach discomfort. The researchers found that many patients had been given diagnoses like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or irritable bowel syndrome—conditions where symptoms are real but hard to explain with standard medical tests.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Gene Expression Factor Analysis to Differentiate Pathways Linked to Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Depression in a Diverse Patient Sample.

Iacob, Eli, Light, Alan R, Donaldson, Gary W et al.·Arthritis care & research·2016

Researchers studied blood cell genes from 261 people—including those with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, depression, and healthy controls—to see if certain genes work together in patterns tied to these conditions. They found four distinct gene clusters, and two of these clusters showed opposite patterns in ME/CFS patients compared to those with depression, suggesting these conditions may involve different biological pathways even when they overlap.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Significant other behavioural responses and patient chronic fatigue syndrome symptom fluctuations in the context of daily life: An experience sampling study.

Band, Rebecca, Barrowclough, Christine, Emsley, Richard et al.·British journal of health psychology·2016

This study looked at how the way family members and partners respond to ME/CFS symptoms affects patients' day-to-day experiences. Researchers asked 23 ME/CFS patients and their loved ones to report on their interactions and symptoms six times daily for a week using smartphones. They found that negative or unhelpful responses from loved ones made symptoms and distress worse in the moment, while overly helpful responses sometimes led to less activity, but these effects were temporary rather than lasting.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in women assessed with combined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Olimulder, M A G M, Galjee, M A, Wagenaar, L J et al.·Netherlands heart journal : monthly journal of the Netherlands Society of Cardiology and the Netherlands Heart Foundation·2016

This study used advanced heart imaging (MRI scans) to examine the hearts of 12 women with ME/CFS and compared them to 36 healthy women. The researchers found that women with ME/CFS had smaller hearts and mildly weaker heart function than the healthy controls. Some ME/CFS patients also showed signs of scarring in the heart muscle, which was not seen in any of the healthy controls.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCase-Control

Differences in Physical and Psychosocial Characteristics Between CFS and Fatigued Non-CFS Patients, a Case-Control Study.

De Gucht, Veronique, Garcia, Franshelis Katerinee, den Engelsman, Marielle et al.·International journal of behavioral medicine·2016

This study compared 192 people with ME/CFS to 192 people with fatigue who didn't meet ME/CFS criteria to understand what makes ME/CFS different. People with ME/CFS tended to blame external factors for their fatigue, had worse physical functioning, saw doctors more often, and were less likely to be employed. Interestingly, people who believed their fatigue would last longer and cause more symptoms were more likely to have ME/CFS, while those who stayed physically active or had 'all or nothing' behavior patterns were less likely to have it.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Abnormal resting state functional connectivity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: an arterial spin-labeling fMRI study.

Boissoneault, Jeff, Letzen, Janelle, Lai, Song et al.·Magnetic resonance imaging·2016

This study used a special brain imaging technique to look at how different parts of the brain communicate with each other in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS have unusual patterns of brain communication, particularly in areas related to memory, thinking, and movement. Importantly, the strength of connections in memory-related brain regions was linked to how severe patients' fatigue symptoms were.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Genetic evaluation of AMPD1, CPT2, and PGYM metabolic enzymes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Maltese, P E, Venturini, L, Poplavskaya, E et al.·Genetics and molecular research : GMR·2016

This study looked at three genes that help muscles produce energy during physical activity. The researchers compared these genes in 17 patients with ME/CFS and 50 healthy people to see if differences in these genes might explain why ME/CFS patients experience severe fatigue after exertion. The study found no significant genetic differences between the two groups, suggesting these particular genes are not responsible for causing ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Factors in Patient Empowerment: A Survey of an Online Patient Research Network.

Chiauzzi, Emil, DasMahapatra, Pronabesh, Cochin, Elisenda et al.·The patient·2016

This study asked nearly 4,000 patients with various chronic illnesses—including ME/CFS—about how involved they feel in managing their own health. Researchers found that patients often struggle to align their treatment goals with their doctors and don't always get enough time with their physicians. The study identified two main factors that help patients feel empowered: having positive interactions with their healthcare providers and feeling knowledgeable and in control of their care.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

How do women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis rate quality and coordination of healthcare services? A cross-sectional study.

Hansen, Anne Helen, Lian, Olaug S·BMJ open·2016

This study asked 431 Norwegian women with ME/CFS to rate how satisfied they were with their healthcare. Most women (about 60%) said their primary care doctors provided poor quality care, while slightly fewer (about 48%) rated specialist care as poor. Nearly 3 out of 4 women felt that different healthcare services weren't well coordinated with each other. Women who felt sicker overall and those with more severe ME/CFS symptoms were more likely to report poor care quality.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Chronic fatigue syndrome: comparing outcomes in White British and Black and minority ethnic patients after cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Ingman, Tom, Ali, Sheila, Bhui, Kamaldeep et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2016

This study looked at whether cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)—a talking therapy that helps change thought patterns and behaviours—works equally well for ME/CFS patients from Black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds compared to White British patients. Both groups showed significant improvements in fatigue, physical functioning, and ability to work or socialise after CBT treatment. Importantly, BME patients improved despite starting with more negative beliefs about their condition and more avoidance behaviours.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[The influence of physical load on the propriate immune and physiological parameters.].

Milicková, M, Zákovská, A, Chlíbková, D·Ceskoslovenska fysiologie·2016

This study looked at how intense physical exercise affects the immune system by measuring antibodies (immune proteins) in ultramarathon runners before and after a race. The researchers found that two types of antibodies—IgA and IgG—increased after the race, suggesting that extreme physical stress temporarily changes how the immune system works. Understanding these changes may help explain why some people develop chronic fatigue after intense exercise.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Child abuse and physical health in adulthood.

Afifi, Tracie O, MacMillan, Harriet L, Boyle, Michael et al.·Health reports·2016

This study looked at whether experiencing abuse as a child is linked to physical health problems in adults. Researchers surveyed over 23,000 Canadian adults and found that people who experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, or witnessed domestic violence as children were more likely to have various physical health conditions as adults, including chronic fatigue syndrome. These associations remained even after accounting for factors like smoking and obesity.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A UK based review of recommendations regarding the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mallet, Miriam, King, Eleanor, White, Peter D·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study looked at what different organizations in the UK recommend for treating ME/CFS. Researchers compared advice from patient support groups with advice from medical doctors and textbooks. They found major disagreements: patient groups strongly recommended complementary therapies (74% vs 16% for medical sources) and pacing strategies (91% vs 50%), while doctors more strongly recommended rehabilitation therapies (94% vs 28%). These different messages may confuse patients and affect how well treatments actually work.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is different in children compared to in adults: a study of UK and Dutch clinical cohorts.

Collin, Simon M, Nuevo, Roberto, van de Putte, Elise M et al.·BMJ open·2015

This study compared how ME/CFS affects children, teenagers, and adults by looking at patient data from clinics in the UK and a trial in the Netherlands. The researchers found that ME/CFS looks quite different depending on age: younger children were more likely to have sore throats and less likely to have problems with thinking or memory, while teenagers were more prone to headaches and depression. Adults showed more severe fatigue and disability overall.

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Treatment Outcome and Metacognitive Change in CBT and GET for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Index markers of chronic fatigue syndrome with dysfunction of TCA and urea cycles.

Self-critical perfectionism predicts lower cortisol response to experimental stress in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The prevalence of severe fatigue in rheumatic diseases: an international study.

Comparison of the functional health limitations of Iraq or Afghanistan Veterans to Desert Shield/Storm Veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome.

TauG-guidance of dynamic balance control during gait initiation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Characteristics of patients contacting a center for undiagnosed and rare diseases.

Gene Expression Factor Analysis to Differentiate Pathways Linked to Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Depression in a Diverse Patient Sample.

Significant other behavioural responses and patient chronic fatigue syndrome symptom fluctuations in the context of daily life: An experience sampling study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in women assessed with combined cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Differences in Physical and Psychosocial Characteristics Between CFS and Fatigued Non-CFS Patients, a Case-Control Study.

Abnormal resting state functional connectivity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: an arterial spin-labeling fMRI study.

Genetic evaluation of AMPD1, CPT2, and PGYM metabolic enzymes in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Factors in Patient Empowerment: A Survey of an Online Patient Research Network.

How do women with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis rate quality and coordination of healthcare services? A cross-sectional study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: comparing outcomes in White British and Black and minority ethnic patients after cognitive-behavioural therapy.

[The influence of physical load on the propriate immune and physiological parameters.].

Child abuse and physical health in adulthood.

A UK based review of recommendations regarding the management of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is different in children compared to in adults: a study of UK and Dutch clinical cohorts.

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