ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2161–2180 of 6,188 studies

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

Validation of the qi blood yin yang deficiency questionnaire on chronic fatigue.

Kim, Jihye, Ku, Boncho, Kim, Keun Ho·Chinese medicine·2016

This study tested a questionnaire designed to identify different patterns of chronic fatigue based on Traditional Korean Medicine concepts (qi, blood, yin, and yang imbalances). Researchers gave the questionnaire to 129 people with chronic fatigue and found that it reliably distinguished between different types of fatigue patterns. The questionnaire may help doctors better understand what kind of fatigue a patient has.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.

Newton, Julia L, Finkelmeyer, Andreas, Petrides, George et al.·Open heart·2016

This study found that people with ME/CFS have smaller hearts and lower blood volumes than healthy people. Interestingly, these differences were not related to how long someone had been sick, suggesting the heart changes are not simply from being inactive. Patients with more severe fatigue tended to have lower plasma volume (the liquid part of blood), which might be a target for future treatment.

Autonomic Nervous System

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 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 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Subgroup Analysis in Burnout: Relations Between Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression.

van Dam, Arno·Frontiers in psychology·2016

This study looked at 113 people diagnosed with burnout to see if they fall into different subgroups based on their fatigue, depression, and anxiety levels. Researchers found two distinct groups that differed mainly in how severe their symptoms were, with depression being the strongest factor that separated them. The study raises important questions about whether burnout is truly a separate condition from depression or chronic fatigue.

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 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on cognitive functioning in adolescents.

Nijhof, Linde N, Nijhof, Sanne L, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·European journal of pediatrics·2016

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects thinking and concentration in teenagers. Researchers compared 59 teenagers with ME/CFS to 40 healthy teenagers and found that those with ME/CFS had lower scores on intelligence tests than their school grades would predict. When comparing teenagers' current test scores to their performance before they got sick, the ME/CFS group showed a significant decline, while healthy teens did not.

Cognitive Impairment

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 requiredCross-Sectional

Characteristics of hyperacusis in the general population.

Paulin, Johan, Andersson, Linus, Nordin, Steven·Noise & health·2016

This study looked at how common sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) is in the general population and what characteristics people with this condition share. Researchers surveyed thousands of people and found that sound sensitivity often occurs alongside other conditions like ME/CFS, anxiety, depression, and fibromyalgia. People with sound sensitivity tend to avoid loud environments and may seek medical help for their symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclear

Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Illegems, Jela, Moorkens, Greta, Van Den Eede, Filip·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2016

This study looked at whether group cognitive behaviour therapy (a type of talk therapy that helps people change unhelpful thinking patterns) could help people with ME/CFS. The researchers observed patients receiving this therapy together in groups. The study provides insights into how this type of psychological treatment is delivered and received by ME/CFS patients in a clinical setting.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Age 16 Years.

Collin, Simon M, Norris, Tom, Nuevo, Roberto et al.·Pediatrics·2016

This study found that about 1.9% of 16-year-olds in the UK experience chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)—a condition causing severe, long-lasting tiredness that lasts at least 6 months and cannot be explained by other illnesses. Girls were nearly twice as likely as boys to have CFS at this age, and young people experiencing more family stress or difficulties were at higher risk. Children with CFS missed significantly more school than their peers.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Low putamen activity associated with poor reward sensitivity in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mizuno, Kei, Kawatani, Junko, Tajima, Kanako et al.·NeuroImage. Clinical·2016

This study looked at how the brains of children with ME/CFS respond to rewards compared to healthy children. Using brain imaging, researchers found that a brain region called the putamen (involved in motivation) showed less activity in children with ME/CFS, especially when facing smaller rewards. Lower activity in this area was linked to worse fatigue and less enjoyment from learning.

Cognitive Impairment

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 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 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Reductions in circulating levels of IL-16, IL-7 and VEGF-A in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Landi, Abdolamir, Broadhurst, David, Vernon, Suzanne D et al.·Cytokine·2016

Researchers measured 34 different immune system proteins in blood samples from 100 ME/CFS patients and 79 healthy controls. They found that three specific immune proteins—IL-16, IL-7, and VEGF-A—were significantly lower in ME/CFS patients. This pattern was different from what is seen in other chronic diseases with similar fatigue symptoms, suggesting it may be unique to ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

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 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 unclearCross-Sectional

Gender differences in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Faro, Mònica, Sàez-Francás, Naia, Castro-Marrero, Jesús et al.·Reumatologia clinica·2016

This study looked at differences between men and women diagnosed with ME/CFS, comparing 119 men with 1,190 women at the time of diagnosis. Men with ME/CFS tended to be younger, single, working in skilled jobs, and more commonly reported that an infection triggered their illness. Importantly, men reported less widespread pain, muscle symptoms, and other comorbid conditions than women, and reported better overall quality of life.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Self-Reported Migraine and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Are More Prevalent in People with Myofascial vs Nonmyofascial Temporomandibular Disorders.

Dahan, Haissam, Shir, Yoram, Nicolau, Belinda et al.·Journal of oral & facial pain and headache·2016

This study looked at 180 people with jaw joint problems (temporomandibular disorders) to see if certain conditions were more common in those with muscle pain versus other types of jaw problems. Researchers found that people with myofascial (muscle-related) jaw pain were significantly more likely to have migraines and ME/CFS compared to those without muscle involvement. This suggests that muscle-based jaw disorders and ME/CFS may be connected.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

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

Validation of the qi blood yin yang deficiency questionnaire on chronic fatigue.

Reduced cardiac volumes in chronic fatigue syndrome associate with plasma volume but not length of disease: a cohort study.

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

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

Subgroup Analysis in Burnout: Relations Between Fatigue, Anxiety, and Depression.

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

The impact of chronic fatigue syndrome on cognitive functioning in adolescents.

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

Characteristics of hyperacusis in the general population.

Group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Age 16 Years.

Low putamen activity associated with poor reward sensitivity in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome.

Child abuse and physical health in adulthood.

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

Reductions in circulating levels of IL-16, IL-7 and VEGF-A in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

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

Gender differences in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Self-Reported Migraine and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Are More Prevalent in People with Myofascial vs Nonmyofascial Temporomandibular Disorders.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research