ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

241–260 of 266 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Learning and memorization impairment in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome manifesting as school phobia in Japan.

Miike, Teruhisa, Tomoda, Akemi, Jhodoi, Takako et al.·Brain & development·2004

This study followed children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in Japan over 15 years to understand why they experience severe tiredness and difficulty learning and remembering information. The researchers found that these children had problems with their autonomic nervous system (the automatic system controlling heart rate, temperature, and digestion), disrupted sleep-wake cycles similar to jet lag, and reduced blood flow to certain brain areas. Understanding these patterns may help explain why learning becomes so difficult for children with CFS.

Cognitive ImpairmentSleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Siegmeth, Walter·Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·2003

This review article discusses fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition involving widespread pain and sleep disturbances that some researchers propose may involve changes in how the nervous system regulates pain. The author reports that treatment typically requires a multidisciplinary approach combining patient education, physical therapy, and medication, though drug therapy alone is often reported as disappointing. Whether fibromyalgia findings directly apply to ME/CFS remains unclear, as these are considered distinct conditions, though both involve fatigue and pain.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Chronopathological forms of magnesium depletion with hypofunction or with hyperfunction of the biological clock.

Durlach, J, Pagès, N, Bac, P et al.·Magnesium research·2002

This paper suggests that low magnesium levels may disrupt the body's internal clock (circadian rhythm) in two opposite ways. In one pattern, the clock runs too fast, causing depression, nighttime headaches, and fatigue—similar to symptoms in ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. In the other pattern, the clock runs too slow, causing anxiety, migraines, and sleep problems. The authors propose that measuring melatonin levels could help distinguish between these two patterns and guide treatment.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Biorhythms and possible central regulation of magnesium status, phototherapy, darkness therapy and chronopathological forms of magnesium depletion.

Durlach, Jean, Pagès, Nicole, Bac, Pierre et al.·Magnesium research·2002

This paper proposes that magnesium deficiency may be linked to disrupted circadian rhythms (biological clocks) and could contribute to several conditions including ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and sleep problems. The authors suggest that light therapy, dark therapy, and magnesium supplementation may help by affecting the body's internal clock and natural sleep hormone production.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Decreased tryptophan availability but normal post-synaptic 5-HT2c receptor sensitivity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Vassallo, C M, Feldman, E, Peto, T et al.·Psychological medicine·2001

This study examined whether people with ME/CFS have oversensitive serotonin receptors in the brain, which could explain some of their symptoms. Researchers gave patients and healthy people a drug that directly activates serotonin receptors and measured the response. They found that both groups responded similarly, suggesting the problem in ME/CFS is not overly sensitive receptors but rather increased serotonin activity from nerve cells themselves. Interestingly, people with ME/CFS had lower levels of tryptophan (a building block for serotonin) in their blood.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

[Use of local negative pressure in combination with electric sleep or Charcot's douche for treatment of erectile dysfunctions].

Karpukhin, I V·Voprosy kurortologii, fizioterapii, i lechebnoi fizicheskoi kultury·2001

A small 2001 study reported that 43 patients with erectile dysfunction related to stress, neurosis, or chronic fatigue received a combination treatment involving local negative pressure alongside either electric sleep or Charcot's douche (a hydrotherapy technique). The authors observed improvements in some patients, though the study's design and generalisability to ME/CFS remain unclear.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in fibromyalgia.

Korszun, A·Current rheumatology reports·2000

Fibromyalgia is a condition causing widespread muscle pain along with sleep problems and extreme tiredness. This review examines how broken sleep patterns and disrupted body clocks (which control things like stress hormones) play a role in fibromyalgia. The authors suggest that treating sleep disorders, depression, and improving sleep habits—along with careful use of medications—may help relieve symptoms.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

[Genioglossal advancement in the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adults].

Foltán, R, Sonka, K·Sbornik lekarsky·2000

A single 68-year-old woman with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep—also reported excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and fatigue. After surgical advancement of the lower jaw (genioglossal advancement) to widen her airway, her sleepiness, snoring, fatigue and headaches reportedly improved, and sleep tests showed better oxygen levels. However, this is one patient's experience, and it is unclear whether findings from OSA surgery generalise to ME/CFS or explain fatigue in ME/CFS patients.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Matsumoto, Y·Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine·1999

This paper discusses fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and mood changes without visible inflammation or damage on tests. The author explains that while fibromyalgia is recognized as real, some doctors still debate whether it is truly distinct from other conditions. Many people with ME/CFS also meet the criteria for fibromyalgia, but there are some differences between the two conditions—such as signs of viral triggers and low blood chemical levels found in ME/CFS but not usually in fibromyalgia.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not requiredCase-Control

Nefazodone for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hickie, I·The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry·1999

This small study looked at whether a medication called nefazodone could help ME/CFS patients feel better. Ten patients took the drug and also received advice about sleep and behavioral strategies. Most patients reported some improvement in tiredness, sleep problems, and mood, and half were able to return to work or their normal activities.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: an update for athletic trainers.

Cramer, C R·Journal of athletic training·1998

This article reviews what we know about ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, two conditions that cause severe fatigue, muscle pain, and sleep problems. The authors looked at medical research and government health information to summarize how these conditions affect people, especially athletes. They discuss various treatments being tested, including exercise, relaxation therapy, and medications, and emphasize the importance of careful medical evaluation and psychological support during diagnosis and treatment.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Fibromyalgia. A critical review].

Cathébras, P, Lauwers, A, Rousset, H·Annales de medecine interne·1998

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects about 2% of the general population, with symptoms including widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. This review examines how fibromyalgia overlaps with other conditions like ME/CFS and depression, and discusses why current treatments like antidepressants and therapy have limited effectiveness. The authors suggest that fibromyalgia may develop through interconnected factors rather than a single cause.

SleepDiagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome. Definition, diagnostic measures and therapeutic possibilities].

Lieb, K, Dammann, G, Berger, M et al.·Der Nervenarzt·1996

ME/CFS is a disorder that causes persistent tiredness, but doctors cannot diagnose it with a simple blood test or scan. Instead, doctors use specific clinical criteria to identify the condition, while carefully ruling out other illnesses like depression or sleep problems that can look similar. Currently, there is no cure for ME/CFS, so treatment focuses on managing individual symptoms like poor sleep, pain, and mood changes with a combination of medical care and psychological support.

DiagnosticsSleepPain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia syndrome: a review.

Reiffenberger, D H, Amundson, L H·American family physician·1996

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, stiffness, and tender points in muscles and soft tissues, often accompanied by fatigue and sleep problems. It affects women more than men, typically starting around age 49. Treatment combines medication (like certain antidepressants), education, reassurance, and exercise to help manage symptoms.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--psychiatric aspects].

Lemke, M R·Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie·1996

This editorial discusses how ME/CFS involves both physical symptoms and mental health aspects that need to be understood together. The authors explain that while doctors have focused heavily on physical symptoms, psychiatric factors—such as stress, sleep problems, and how the body's stress system works—play an important role in the syndrome. An effective approach to ME/CFS requires doctors from different specialties to work together.

Immune SystemSleep

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Periodic limb movements of sleep and the restless legs syndrome.

Williams, D C·Virginia medical quarterly : VMQ·1996

This article examines periodic limb movements during sleep and restless legs syndrome, which are not diseases themselves but signs that something is disturbing the nervous system. The author suggests these conditions may be related to ME/CFS and other disorders, and that they arise from problems in a brainstem region that controls smooth sleep and wakefulness. Various treatments can help reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Short-term night-shift working mimics the pituitary-adrenocortical dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Leese, G, Chattington, P, Fraser, W et al.·The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·1996

This study observed that nurses working a 5-day night shift showed changes in their stress hormone levels (cortisol and ACTH) that resembled patterns reported in ME/CFS patients. The researchers measured hormone responses before and after an injection of CRH, a substance that triggers the stress hormone system. However, this is a small study in shift workers, not ME/CFS patients, so whether these findings apply to ME/CFS remains unclear.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Determination of observer-rated alpha activity during sleep.

Flanigan, M J, Morehouse, R L, Shapiro, C M·Sleep·1995

Many ME/CFS patients have been reported to show a particular brain wave pattern called 'alpha intrusion' during sleep, which may contribute to poor sleep quality. This study examined whether the way researchers measure brain waves during sleep affects whether they can detect this pattern. The researchers found that the type of electrode placement and reference point used significantly influenced whether alpha waves were observed, suggesting that previous findings about alpha intrusion in ME/CFS patients may depend heavily on the measurement method used.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome. 2: Treatment and future research.

Kantrowitz, F G, Farrar, D J, Locke, S E·Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.)·1995

This review article examines different ways to treat ME/CFS and outlines important directions for future research. The authors discuss various treatment approaches that have been studied and identify gaps in our current understanding of the condition. The paper emphasizes that while treatment options exist, more research is needed to find more effective therapies.

Sleep

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The pathogenesis of chronic pain and fatigue syndromes, with special reference to fibromyalgia.

Clauw, D J·Medical hypotheses·1995

This paper reviews what doctors and researchers knew in 1995 about fibromyalgia and similar conditions that cause chronic pain and tiredness. The authors noticed that fibromyalgia overlaps significantly with chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, and mood disorders, suggesting these conditions may share common underlying causes rather than being completely separate diseases.

Autonomic Nervous SystemSleep

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Learning and memorization impairment in childhood chronic fatigue syndrome manifesting as school phobia in Japan.

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Chronopathological forms of magnesium depletion with hypofunction or with hyperfunction of the biological clock.

Biorhythms and possible central regulation of magnesium status, phototherapy, darkness therapy and chronopathological forms of magnesium depletion.

Decreased tryptophan availability but normal post-synaptic 5-HT2c receptor sensitivity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Use of local negative pressure in combination with electric sleep or Charcot's douche for treatment of erectile dysfunctions].

Sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in fibromyalgia.

[Genioglossal advancement in the surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in adults].

[Fibromyalgia syndrome].

Nefazodone for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: an update for athletic trainers.

[Fibromyalgia. A critical review].

[Chronic fatigue syndrome. Definition, diagnostic measures and therapeutic possibilities].

Fibromyalgia syndrome: a review.

[Chronic fatigue syndrome--psychiatric aspects].

Periodic limb movements of sleep and the restless legs syndrome.

Short-term night-shift working mimics the pituitary-adrenocortical dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Determination of observer-rated alpha activity during sleep.

Chronic fatigue syndrome. 2: Treatment and future research.

The pathogenesis of chronic pain and fatigue syndromes, with special reference to fibromyalgia.

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