ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2521–2540 of 6,209 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The financial and psychological impacts on mothers of children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME).

Missen, A, Hollingworth, W, Eaton, N et al.·Child: care, health and development·2012

This study looked at how having a child with ME/CFS affects mothers' finances and mental health. Researchers surveyed 40 mothers and interviewed 8 in depth, finding that most families lost money each month and spent more on care, while three-quarters of mothers showed signs of depression or anxiety—much higher than the general population.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Stress management skills, neuroimmune processes and fatigue levels in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lattie, Emily G, Antoni, Michael H, Fletcher, Mary Ann et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2012

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS who are better at managing stress have lower fatigue levels. Researchers measured stress management skills, emotional distress, fatigue, and inflammation markers in the blood and saliva of 117 people with ME/CFS. They found that people with better stress management skills reported less fatigue and emotional distress, and this benefit was especially strong in people who had higher levels of a specific inflammatory marker called IL-6.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Role of psychological aspects in both chronic pain and in daily functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study.

Meeus, Mira, Nijs, Jo, Van Mol, Evelyne et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2012

This study looked at 103 people with ME/CFS who also experience widespread muscle pain, and examined how psychological factors like catastrophizing (expecting the worst), depression, and fear of movement affect their pain levels and daily activities. Over 6-12 months, the researchers found that catastrophizing and depression were the strongest predictors of both pain intensity and difficulty with daily functioning. The findings suggest that addressing these psychological factors alongside physical symptoms may be important for managing pain in ME/CFS.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Psycho-physiological impact on women with chronic fatigue syndrome in the context of their couple relationship.

Blazquez, Alicia, Guillamó, Elisabeth, Alegre, José et al.·Psychology, health & medicine·2012

This study looked at how relationship satisfaction and anxiety may affect the physical symptoms of ME/CFS in women. Researchers asked 40 women with ME/CFS and their partners about their relationship quality and anxiety levels, then measured how women's hearts and breathing responded at rest and during very gentle exercise. They found that anxiety and relationship satisfaction seemed to connect with how their bodies responded physically.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Are fatigue symptoms and chronic fatigue syndrome following Q fever infection related to psychosocial variables?

Strauss, Bernhard, Löschau, Maria, Seidel, Thomas et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2012

This study looked at fatigue in people who had been infected with Q fever (a bacterial infection) compared to people who hadn't had it. Researchers found that Q fever survivors reported much more fatigue than the control group, but very few met the strict criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). People with Q fever who had fatigue also reported more health worries, physical symptoms, and emotional stress than those without fatigue.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[How do patients interpret terms for medically unexplained symptoms?].

Kingma, Eva M, Moddejonge, Raquel S, Rosmalen, Judith G M·Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde·2012

This study asked 184 patients in Dutch waiting rooms how they felt about different medical terms used to describe unexplained tiredness. The researchers found that patients reacted most negatively to the term 'psychosomatic tiredness' (suggesting the tiredness is psychological), while they were more accepting of terms like 'chronic fatigue syndrome' and 'functional fatigue.' This suggests that patients prefer medical terms that don't imply their condition is 'all in their head.'

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lipid and protein oxidation in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tomic, Slavica, Brkic, Snezana, Maric, Daniela et al.·Archives of medical science : AMS·2012

This study looked for signs of oxidative stress—damage caused by harmful molecules in the body—in women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women. Researchers found that women with ME/CFS had higher levels of markers showing damage to fats and proteins in their blood, along with an unhealthy cholesterol pattern. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may be occurring in ME/CFS and could potentially increase heart disease risk over time.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in children.

Itoh, Yasuhiko, Shigemori, Tomoko, Igarashi, Tohru et al.·Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society·2012

This study looked at two conditions that cause long-term pain and exhaustion in children: fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers tested blood samples from children with each condition to see if they had similar immune system patterns. They found that while these conditions share some symptoms, they appear to have different immune system signatures, suggesting they may be separate diseases—though some children can have both.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Co-morbid pain conditions and feelings of invalidation and isolation among women with vulvodynia.

Nguyen, Ruby H N, Ecklund, Ali M, Maclehose, Richard F et al.·Psychology, health & medicine·2012

This study looked at women with vulvodynia (chronic pain in the vulva) who also had other chronic pain conditions like ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, or endometriosis. The researchers found that women with multiple pain conditions were more likely to feel that others didn't believe their pain was real and to feel socially isolated. Having ME/CFS alongside vulvodynia was particularly linked to these feelings.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

No serological evidence for a role of HHV-6 infection in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Burbelo, Peter D, Bayat, Ahmad, Wagner, Jason et al.·American journal of translational research·2012

This study tested whether a virus called HHV-6 might be causing chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers compared antibodies (immune system markers) against HHV-6 in people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. They found that both groups had similar levels of HHV-6 antibodies, suggesting this virus is unlikely to be a major cause of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Physical activity intensity but not sedentary activity is reduced in chronic fatigue syndrome and is associated with autonomic regulation.

Newton, J L, Pairman, J, Hallsworth, K et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2011

This study looked at how much people with ME/CFS move around during the day compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS do less intense physical activity (like brisk walking or exercise) than healthy controls, even though they spend similar amounts of time sitting. The study also found that reduced physical activity was linked to problems with heart rate regulation in ME/CFS patients.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Measuring disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: reliability and validity of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale.

Cella, Matteo, Sharpe, Michael, Chalder, Trudie·Journal of psychosomatic research·2011

This study tested whether a simple questionnaire called the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) accurately measures how much ME/CFS affects a person's daily life and ability to work. Researchers gave this questionnaire to over 1,000 ME/CFS patients and found it was reliable and valid—meaning it consistently measured disability and actually reflected real-world functioning.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Reliability and validity of Short Form 36 Version 2 to measure health perceptions in a sub-group of individuals with fatigue.

Davenport, Todd E, Stevens, Staci R, Baroni, Katie et al.·Disability and rehabilitation·2011

This study tested whether a common health questionnaire (SF-36) could accurately measure how ME/CFS affects quality of life and symptom burden. Researchers gave the questionnaire to 16 people with ME/CFS and 14 healthy controls, then had them perform exercise tests to see how their symptoms changed. The SF-36 successfully captured differences between the two groups and predicted who would recover quickly after exercise.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Deviations in daily physical activity patterns in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Evering, Richard M H, Tönis, Thijs M, Vollenbroek-Hutten, Miriam M R·Journal of psychosomatic research·2011

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS move and exercise throughout the day compared to healthy people, using motion-tracking devices. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients are less active in the afternoon and evening, do fewer intense activities, and experience more unpredictable activity patterns day-to-day. Interestingly, ME/CFS patients were also more aware of their activity levels than healthy controls.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Personality and chronic fatigue syndrome: The role of the five-factor model.

Besharat, Mohammad Ali, Behpajooh, Ahmad, Poursharifi, Hamid et al.·Asian journal of psychiatry·2011

This study looked at whether personality traits are connected to fatigue in people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared 77 people with ME/CFS to 72 healthy people and found that those with ME/CFS tended to score higher on two personality traits: neuroticism (tendency to experience negative emotions) and conscientiousness (tendency to be organized and responsible). Both of these traits were linked to how severe their fatigue symptoms were.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[A study of median frequencies of skeletal muscle undergoing Tuina intervention in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Liu, Kun-peng, Fang, Min, Dai, De-chun et al.·Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine·2011

This study looked at whether a Chinese massage technique called Tuina could help people with ME/CFS by measuring muscle electrical activity and fatigue levels. Thirty-two CFS patients received 20 days of Tuina treatment, and researchers found that the treatment reduced fatigue symptoms on a standard questionnaire, though the electrical patterns in muscles did not change noticeably.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Premorbid risk markers for chronic fatigue syndrome in the 1958 British birth cohort.

Clark, Charlotte, Goodwin, Laura, Stansfeld, Stephen A et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2011

This study followed over 11,000 British children from birth until age 42 to identify early warning signs of ME/CFS. Researchers found that people who experienced physical abuse from parents, had frequent stomach problems as children, or caught many colds were more likely to develop ME/CFS later in life. The study also confirmed that mood and mental health problems occurring before ME/CFS developed played an important role in the condition's development.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Brenu, Ekua W, van Driel, Mieke L, Staines, Don R et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2011

This study examined immune system markers in 95 ME/CFS patients compared to 50 healthy people to see if certain blood tests could help diagnose the condition. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had imbalanced immune responses, including higher levels of certain inflammatory proteins and lower activity of immune cells that normally fight infections. These immune differences might one day be used as reliable diagnostic markers to help doctors identify ME/CFS.

BiomarkersImmune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Emotional expression, self-silencing, and distress tolerance in anorexia nervosa and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hambrook, David, Oldershaw, Anna, Rimes, Katharine et al.·The British journal of clinical psychology·2011

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS and anorexia nervosa process emotions differently compared to healthy people. Researchers found that both patient groups had more difficulty tolerating emotional distress, tended to suppress their own needs for others, and held more negative beliefs about experiencing and expressing emotions. These emotional processing difficulties may play a role in how these illnesses develop and persist.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Sleep-wake behavior in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rahman, Khairunnessa, Burton, Alexander, Galbraith, Sally et al.·Sleep·2011

Researchers wanted to know if ME/CFS is caused by problems with the body's internal biological clock. They studied 15 people with ME/CFS and 15 healthy controls for 5 days, measuring sleep patterns, daily activity, stress hormone levels, and heart function. While people with ME/CFS reported worse fatigue, sleep problems, and pain, the researchers found no differences in actual sleep patterns or biological rhythms between the groups.

Autonomic Nervous System

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The financial and psychological impacts on mothers of children with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME).

Stress management skills, neuroimmune processes and fatigue levels in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Role of psychological aspects in both chronic pain and in daily functioning in chronic fatigue syndrome: a prospective longitudinal study.

Psycho-physiological impact on women with chronic fatigue syndrome in the context of their couple relationship.

Are fatigue symptoms and chronic fatigue syndrome following Q fever infection related to psychosocial variables?

[How do patients interpret terms for medically unexplained symptoms?].

Lipid and protein oxidation in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in children.

Co-morbid pain conditions and feelings of invalidation and isolation among women with vulvodynia.

No serological evidence for a role of HHV-6 infection in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Physical activity intensity but not sedentary activity is reduced in chronic fatigue syndrome and is associated with autonomic regulation.

Measuring disability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: reliability and validity of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale.

Reliability and validity of Short Form 36 Version 2 to measure health perceptions in a sub-group of individuals with fatigue.

Deviations in daily physical activity patterns in patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Personality and chronic fatigue syndrome: The role of the five-factor model.

[A study of median frequencies of skeletal muscle undergoing Tuina intervention in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Premorbid risk markers for chronic fatigue syndrome in the 1958 British birth cohort.

Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Emotional expression, self-silencing, and distress tolerance in anorexia nervosa and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sleep-wake behavior in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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