ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

241–260 of 6,122 studies

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 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.

Long COVID Overlap

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 requiredReview-Narrative

A Comprehensive Update of the Current Understanding of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Noor, Nazir, Urits, Ivan, Degueure, Arielle et al.·Anesthesiology and pain medicine·2021

This is a literature review that synthesizes current understanding of ME/CFS, covering its symptoms, potential triggers, and management approaches. The review reports that ME/CFS has been associated with dysfunction in immune, neuroendocrine, and autonomic systems, and notes that some patients show earlier activation of anaerobic metabolism. However, as a review of existing studies rather than new research, this summary reflects what has been observed across multiple reports and does not establish new evidence about what causes or treats the condition.

Immune SystemSleep

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-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.

Nakao, Mutsuhiro, Shirotsuki, Kentaro, Sugaya, Nagisa·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2021

This review examined studies on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a talking therapy that helps people change unhelpful thought patterns and avoidant behaviors. The authors found that CBT was associated with improvements in various mental health conditions (anxiety, depression) and some physical conditions (including chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia) in the short term, though longer-term effects remain unclear. Online or app-based CBT may offer additional options, but the review notes these should be applied carefully depending on cost and suitability for different groups.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclear

Pathomechanisms and possible interventions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Fluge, Øystein, Tronstad, Karl J, Mella, Olav·The Journal of clinical investigation·2021

This review article examines what we know about how ME/CFS damages the body and discusses possible treatments. Researchers looked at existing scientific evidence to understand the disease mechanisms—the biological processes that cause ME/CFS symptoms—and evaluated various interventions that might help patients. The goal was to create a comprehensive overview of current scientific understanding to guide future research and treatment development.

BiomarkersImmune 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 System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The Safety of Baduanjin Exercise: A Systematic Review.

Fang, Jianqi, Zhang, Liying, Wu, Fangzhen et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2021

Baduanjin is a gentle exercise therapy from traditional Chinese medicine that is becoming more popular around the world. This review looked at 47 studies involving 3,877 people to find out what side effects people experienced when doing Baduanjin. Most studies didn't carefully track side effects, but those that did reported issues like muscle aches, heart palpitations, dizziness, knee pain, and fatigue—though it's unclear if Baduanjin actually caused these problems.

ME/CFS (general)

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The neurological symptoms of COVID-19: a systematic overview of systematic reviews, comparison with other neurological conditions and implications for healthcare services.

Wildwing, Tamar, Holt, Nicole·Therapeutic advances in chronic disease·2021

This study reviewed 45 existing research papers about neurological symptoms people experience with COVID-19. Researchers found that some COVID-19 patients develop long-lasting symptoms like fatigue and muscle pain that look very similar to ME/CFS and other neurological conditions. The authors suggest that doctors may need better training to recognize and treat these ongoing symptoms, and that healthcare services may need more resources to help patients.

Long COVID Overlap

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEvidence-Map

A rapid review and expert identification of the Allied Health Professions' interventions as a contribution to public health outcomes.

Fowler Davis, S, Farndon, L, Harrop, D et al.·Public health in practice (Oxford, England)·2021

This study looked at how allied health professionals (such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists) help improve public health in the UK. Researchers reviewed research papers from 2014 onwards and found that these professionals were particularly effective at helping people with chronic fatigue syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as managing other musculoskeletal conditions and helping people return to work after illness or injury.

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

A systematic review pooled data from 16 randomized controlled trials examining whether Qigong exercise—a traditional Chinese practice combining movement and breathing—is associated with reduced fatigue in patients with various conditions, including two small studies in chronic fatigue syndrome. Participants who did Qigong showed observed improvements in fatigue intensity compared to control groups, though the authors emphasize this finding is preliminary and warrants cautious interpretation. Quality of life did not show a statistically significant difference. The relevance of these findings to ME/CFS specifically remains unclear, given the small number of ME/CFS studies included.

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.

Neuroinflammation

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 not requiredSystematic-Review

Review: How has cognitive behaviour therapy been adapted for adolescents with comorbid depression and chronic illness? A scoping review.

Morey, Alice, Loades, Maria E·Child and adolescent mental health·2021

This scoping review examined how cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) — a talking therapy that helps people change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours — has been adapted when treating depression in adolescents with various chronic illnesses. The authors found 12 studies across conditions including diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic pain, and observed that CBT adaptations typically included helping young people rethink illness-related worries, balance activities despite illness, and involve families. However, the review reports that evidence for this approach remains limited, and more research is needed to understand how well it works specifically for young people with chronic illness and depression.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Associations Between Psychological and Immunological Variables in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Systematic Review.

Raanes, Emilie F W, Stiles, Tore C·Frontiers in psychiatry·2021

This review looked at 14 studies to understand how the mind and immune system are connected in ME/CFS. Researchers found that psychological factors like sleep quality, how people manage emotions, and how well they interact with others were linked to immune markers called cytokines. While these connections exist, the evidence is still limited and most studies were done at single points in time rather than following patients over years.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

The Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Current Evidence and Potential Therapeutic Applications.

Varesi, Angelica, Deumer, Undine-Sophie, Ananth, Sanjana et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Many people with ME/CFS experience stomach and digestive problems alongside their fatigue and pain. This review explores how the bacteria living in our gut might be different in ME/CFS patients and could be contributing to symptoms. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS tend to have fewer types of gut bacteria compared to healthy people, and they discuss how treating the gut microbiome might help reduce ME/CFS symptoms overall.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 requiredReview-Narrative

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Neurological Entity?

Murga Gandasegui, Iñigo, Aranburu Laka, Larraitz, Gargiulo, Pascual-Ángel et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

This review examines whether ME/CFS is primarily a neurological disorder by looking at brain imaging studies and tests of the autonomic nervous system (the part that controls automatic body functions like heart rate). The authors found that while brain imaging shows various changes in ME/CFS patients, these changes aren't specific enough to diagnose the condition on their own. However, specialized tests measuring heart rate variability and immune responses show promise as potential biomarkers that could help identify and monitor ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

ME/CFS: Exercise goals should be set by patients and not driven by treatment plan, says NICE.

Torjesen, Ingrid·BMJ (Clinical research ed.)·2021

The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued new guidance stating that people with ME/CFS should set their own exercise goals based on their personal circumstances, rather than having exercise targets imposed by healthcare providers as part of a standard treatment plan. This represents an important shift in how ME/CFS care should be approached, emphasizing patient autonomy and individual needs.

ME/CFS (general)

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

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

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

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

A Comprehensive Update of the Current Understanding of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.

Pathomechanisms and possible interventions in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

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

The Safety of Baduanjin Exercise: A Systematic Review.

The neurological symptoms of COVID-19: a systematic overview of systematic reviews, comparison with other neurological conditions and implications for healthcare services.

A rapid review and expert identification of the Allied Health Professions' interventions as a contribution to public health outcomes.

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

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

Approach to Fatigue: Best Practice.

Review: How has cognitive behaviour therapy been adapted for adolescents with comorbid depression and chronic illness? A scoping review.

Associations Between Psychological and Immunological Variables in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Systematic Review.

The Emerging Role of Gut Microbiota in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Current Evidence and Potential Therapeutic Applications.

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

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Neurological Entity?

ME/CFS: Exercise goals should be set by patients and not driven by treatment plan, says NICE.

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