ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

241–260 of 6,157 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Enterovirus Theory of Disease Etiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Critical Review.

O'Neal, Adam J, Hanson, Maureen R·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This review examined whether enteroviruses—common viruses that cause colds, stomach infections, and other illnesses—might be responsible for ME/CFS. While some studies found these viruses more often in ME/CFS patients than in healthy people, the evidence has been mixed and hard to interpret. The authors argue that past research methods weren't good enough to definitively answer the question, and they call for better studies using modern technology to investigate this possibility further.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Gut Microbiome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

König, Rahel S, Albrich, Werner C, Kahlert, Christian R et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This review examines whether changes in gut bacteria might contribute to ME/CFS. The authors suggest that lifetime antibiotic use could alter the balance of gut microbes, which might then affect the gut barrier, brain function, and energy production in cells. They propose several potential treatment approaches like probiotics and dietary changes, but emphasize that much more research is needed to understand if gut bacteria actually cause ME/CFS or simply change as a result of the disease.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Alteration of Postural Balance in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Núñez-Fuentes, David, Obrero-Gaitán, Esteban, Zagalaz-Anula, Noelia et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This study reviewed 19 research papers involving 2,347 people (mostly women) to understand balance problems in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The researchers found that FMS patients have significantly worse balance than healthy people, with particular difficulty standing still, moving around, and relying on their inner ear and vision for balance. The findings suggest that people with FMS may depend too heavily on feeling where their body is in space rather than using normal balance cues.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Adverse outcomes in trials of graded exercise therapy for adult patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

White, P D, Etherington, J·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This study reviewed 10 previous trials involving 1,279 people to examine whether graded exercise therapy (GET) causes harm in ME/CFS patients. Researchers compared how many people reported feeling much worse, stopped treatment, or dropped out of follow-up appointments between those doing GET and those receiving other treatments. The study found no clear evidence that GET caused more people to report feeling worse than other treatments, though more GET participants did drop out of follow-up appointments.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Epstein-Barr Virus and the Origin of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Ruiz-Pablos, Manuel, Paiva, Bruno, Montero-Mateo, Rosario et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This review examines whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common virus that causes mononucleosis, might play a role in causing ME/CFS in some patients. The researchers found that certain people may have genetic traits that make them more vulnerable to EBV, and in these individuals, the virus might hide from the immune system in a way that leads to ME/CFS symptoms. They suggest that antiviral treatments targeting EBV could potentially help some ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The Quality of Methodological and Reporting in Network Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Yuan, Ting, Xiong, Jun, Wang, Xue et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2021

This study reviewed 29 research papers that used a statistical method called network meta-analysis to compare different acupuncture and moxibustion treatments. The researchers assessed how well these papers were designed and reported their findings. They found that most papers had medium quality, with some having significant gaps in how they explained their methods and results.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Long COVID a New Derivative in the Chaos of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Emergent Pandemic?

Fernández-Lázaro, Diego, Sánchez-Serrano, Nerea, Mielgo-Ayuso, Juan et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Long COVID is a condition where symptoms persist for weeks to months after an acute COVID-19 infection. The main symptoms include severe fatigue, difficulty with physical activity that worsens symptoms, brain fog, and reduced ability to do daily activities. This review summarizes what is currently known about Long COVID, including its causes, risk factors, and possible treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in Korea and Japan: A Meta-Analysis.

Lim, Eun-Jin, Son, Chang-Gue·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

This study looked at how common ME/CFS is in Korea and Japan by reviewing eight existing studies. Researchers found that about 0.76-0.77% of people in these countries have ME/CFS—meaning roughly 1 in 130 people. Women were affected about twice as often as men in Korea, though this difference was smaller in Japan.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Khanpour Ardestani, Samaneh, Karkhaneh, Mohammad, Stein, Eleanor et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

Researchers looked at 12 studies examining whether mind-body techniques like meditation, yoga, and relaxation exercises could help ME/CFS symptoms. Most studies found these techniques improved fatigue, anxiety, and depression, and helped people feel better overall. However, the studies were small and used different methods, so we need more research to know how well these treatments really work.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review-heterogeneity of definition limits study comparison.

Moore, Yasmin, Serafimova, Teona, Anderson, Nina et al.·Archives of disease in childhood·2021

This study looked at how often children with ME/CFS recover and what 'recovery' actually means. Researchers found that different studies define recovery in very different ways—some focus on returning to school, others on fatigue levels, and others on physical activity. Because of these differences, recovery rates ranged wildly from 4.5% to 83%, making it hard to compare studies fairly.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Efficacy of Qigong Exercise for Treatment of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Wang, Rui, Huang, Xueyan, Wu, Yeqi et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

Researchers reviewed 16 studies testing whether Qigong exercise (a traditional Chinese practice combining movement, breathing, and meditation) helps reduce fatigue in patients with various illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome. They found that people who did Qigong showed meaningful improvements in their fatigue levels compared to control groups, though the effect was modest. However, Qigong did not clearly improve overall quality of life in the studies reviewed.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Perfectionism, depression and anxiety in chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

Wright, Amelia, Fisher, Peter L, Baker, Nita et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This review looked at seven studies examining whether perfectionism (setting very high standards and worrying about mistakes) is connected to depression in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found strong links between perfectionism and depression, particularly worrying excessively about making mistakes. However, there's much less research on whether perfectionism is linked to anxiety in ME/CFS patients.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and classification of the neurological symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Carod-Artal, F J, García-Moncó, J C·Neurology perspectives·2021

This review examines long-term symptoms people experience after COVID-19 infection, particularly neurological (brain and nerve-related) symptoms like brain fog, memory problems, headaches, and sleep issues. The authors found that post-COVID-19 syndrome is complex and variable—affecting different people in different ways—and likely involves multiple causes including immune system changes, nerve dysfunction, and possibly persistent viral effects. Because the definition and criteria for post-COVID-19 syndrome remain unclear, reported rates of occurrence vary dramatically, ranging from 2% to 85% depending on the study.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive symptoms after COVID-19.

Altuna, M, Sánchez-Saudinós, Mª B, Lleó, A·Neurology perspectives·2021

COVID-19 can cause cognitive problems—such as difficulty thinking, concentrating, or remembering—that sometimes last for months after infection. These cognitive symptoms can happen even in people with mild COVID cases, which is unusual compared to other viral illnesses. This review found that cognitive problems after COVID share similarities with symptoms seen in ME/CFS and can significantly affect daily life and quality of life.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Where will the drugs come from?

Toogood, Peter L, Clauw, Daniel J, Phadke, Sameer et al.·Pharmacological research·2021

ME/CFS is a serious illness causing extreme fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, along with pain, sleep problems, and difficulty thinking clearly. This review looks at what we currently know about ME/CFS, how doctors diagnose it, and what treatments exist today. The authors examined past research to identify promising targets for new medicines that could help treat ME/CFS in the future.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Neurological Manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Moghimi, Narges, Di Napoli, Mario, Biller, José et al.·Current neurology and neuroscience reports·2021

This review examined what we know about how COVID-19 can affect the nervous system in people who experience long-term symptoms after infection (called PASC or long COVID). The researchers looked at published studies to understand how common these neurological problems are, who is most at risk, why they happen, and how they might be treated. They found that long COVID can range from mild to severely disabling symptoms that last weeks or longer, and that multiple factors—including lingering inflammation, immune system problems, and possible viral effects on the brain—may play a role.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome: putative pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatments.

Yong, Shin Jie·Infectious diseases (London, England)·2021

This review examines what we know about Long COVID, an illness that affects some people after they recover from COVID-19 infection. The main symptoms are extreme tiredness and breathing difficulties that last for months, along with brain fog, pain, and heart problems. Researchers found that Long COVID may be caused by lasting damage to organs like the lungs and brain, combined with ongoing inflammation in the body.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Wormgoor, Marjon E A, Rodenburg, Sanne C·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This review looked at 18 studies testing physiotherapy (physical therapy) for ME/CFS, paying special attention to post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after activity that defines ME. The researchers found that treatments appearing to help patients with general chronic fatigue showed less benefit when studied in patients with stricter ME/CFS definitions that include PEM, and may actually cause harm in ME patients. The study warns that physical therapy approaches effective for milder conditions should not be used for ME patients with prominent PEM.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM unclearGuideline

Approach to Fatigue: Best Practice.

Dukes, Jason C, Chakan, Matthew, Mills, Aaron et al.·The Medical clinics of North America·2021

Fatigue can come from many different causes, so doctors need to carefully listen to patients' histories and perform physical exams rather than just ordering lots of tests. Fatigue may be caused by an underlying medical condition that can be treated, or it may be a primary condition on its own (now called system exertion intolerance disease). Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for primary fatigue, so treatment focuses on personalized exercise programs and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Redox imbalance links COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Paul, Bindu D, Lemle, Marian D, Komaroff, Anthony L et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2021

This review examines how COVID-19 and ME/CFS may share similar biological problems, particularly an imbalance in how the body handles harmful molecules called free radicals. Both conditions appear to involve problems with inflammation, energy production in cells, and a slowed metabolism. While this research shows these biological abnormalities exist in both illnesses, more studies are needed to understand exactly how they work together and how to treat them.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

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The Enterovirus Theory of Disease Etiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Critical Review.

The Gut Microbiome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Alteration of Postural Balance in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Adverse outcomes in trials of graded exercise therapy for adult patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Epstein-Barr Virus and the Origin of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Quality of Methodological and Reporting in Network Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Long COVID a New Derivative in the Chaos of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: The Emergent Pandemic?

Prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in Korea and Japan: A Meta-Analysis.

Systematic Review of Mind-Body Interventions to Treat Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review-heterogeneity of definition limits study comparison.

Efficacy of Qigong Exercise for Treatment of Fatigue: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Perfectionism, depression and anxiety in chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and classification of the neurological symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Cognitive symptoms after COVID-19.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Where will the drugs come from?

The Neurological Manifestations of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome: putative pathophysiology, risk factors, and treatments.

The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Approach to Fatigue: Best Practice.

Redox imbalance links COVID-19 and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research