ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

261–280 of 6,122 studies

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

Insights into Metabolite Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Yamano, Emi, Watanabe, Yasuyoshi, Kataoka, Yosky·International journal of molecular sciences·2021

ME/CFS is a serious condition that causes extreme exhaustion and is difficult to diagnose because we don't have reliable tests for it. This review examined research on how the chemicals in patients' bodies differ from healthy people, looking for patterns that could help doctors identify ME/CFS with a simple blood test. Scientists reviewed studies that measured these body chemicals and tested them in animal models to understand what goes wrong in ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systemic Review and Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Symptomatology.

Wong, Timothy L, Weitzer, Danielle J·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

Researchers reviewed 21 studies about Long COVID (symptoms lasting months after COVID-19 infection) and compared them to ME/CFS symptoms. They found that Long COVID patients reported 25 out of 29 known ME/CFS symptoms, suggesting these two conditions share many similarities. The study highlights the need for better monitoring and treatment of patients with Long COVID, and calls for more standardized research methods to understand both conditions better.

Long COVID Overlap

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management

NICE Guideline Committee·National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)·2021

The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its ME/CFS guidelines after a comprehensive evidence review. The updated guidelines removed Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as recommended treatments, as evidence showed they were not effective and could be harmful. Pacing and energy management were endorsed.

InterventionsDiagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Elevated Perceived Exertion in People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Meta-analysis.

Barhorst, Ellen E, Andrae, William E, Rayne, Tessa J et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2020

This study reviewed 37 research papers that measured how hard exercise feels to people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia compared to healthy people. The researchers found that people with these conditions consistently felt that exercise required significantly more effort, even when their heart rates and physical performance were similar to healthy controls. This difference was large and consistent across most studies, suggesting that something about how the brain perceives effort may be affected in these illnesses.

ME/CFS (general)

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Effectiveness of Active Therapy-Based Training to Improve the Balance in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Del-Moral-García, María, Obrero-Gaitán, Esteban, Rodríguez-Almagro, Daniel et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

People with fibromyalgia often have trouble with balance, which increases their risk of falling and affects their ability to do daily activities. This review looked at 10 studies testing whether active exercise-based training programs could help improve balance in fibromyalgia patients. The results showed that these training programs did help people improve their balance and stability compared to other treatments or no treatment.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A relational analysis of an invisible illness: A meta-ethnography of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and their support needs.

Pilkington, Karen, Ridge, Damien T, Igwesi-Chidobe, Chinonso N et al.·Social science & medicine (1982)·2020

This study examined 47 previous research papers about what people with ME/CFS need in terms of support from family, friends, and healthcare providers. The researchers found that the biggest problems people face come from how others interact with them—including feeling invisible, losing their sense of self, and having difficult experiences at doctor's appointments. The study suggests that focusing on building better relationships and understanding in all areas of life (not just medical treatment) may be key to improving support for people with ME/CFS.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredCommentary

Graded exercise therapy does not restore the ability to work in ME/CFS - Rethinking of a Cochrane review.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Friso·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study examined whether graded exercise therapy (GET)—a treatment that gradually increases physical activity—actually helps people with ME/CFS return to work. The researchers found that while previous reviews claimed GET improved tiredness, these claims were based on unreliable self-reported outcomes in studies with serious flaws. When looking at objective measures and real-world outcomes, GET did not help people work better and may have harmed at least half of patients.

ME/CFS (general)

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Using structural and functional MRI as a neuroimaging technique to investigate chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy: a systematic review.

Almutairi, Basim, Langley, Christelle, Crawley, Esther et al.·BMJ open·2020

This review examined brain imaging studies in ME/CFS patients using two main techniques: structural MRI (which shows the anatomy of the brain) and functional MRI (which shows which brain areas are active during tasks). Researchers found that ME/CFS patients showed some differences in brain structure and unusual patterns of brain activity, but these findings varied widely between studies. While these results suggest something is happening in the brains of ME/CFS patients, the researchers couldn't identify one clear pattern that all patients share.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Heart rate variability in patients with somatic symptom disorders and functional somatic syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ying-Chih, Cheng, Yu-Chen, Huang, Wei-Lieh, Huang·Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews·2020

This large review combined results from 85 studies comparing heart rhythm patterns between people with conditions like fibromyalgia and ME/CFS (functional somatic syndromes) and healthy people. Researchers found that patients with these conditions have lower heart rate variability—meaning their heart's rhythm is less flexible and adaptive—which suggests their nervous system may not be responding normally to stress and daily activities.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Burden of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Across Europe: Current Evidence and EUROMENE Research Recommendations for Epidemiology.

Estévez-López, Fernando, Mudie, Kathleen, Wang-Steverding, Xia et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This research review looked at how common ME/CFS is across Europe by examining studies published between 1994 and 2019. The researchers found very few good-quality studies on this topic, and the estimates of how many people have ME/CFS varied widely (from 0.1% to 2.2% of the population). The review concludes that we urgently need better, larger studies to understand how many Europeans actually have this condition.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in a pediatric population: A scoping review.

Collard, Sarah S, Murphy, Jane·Journal of child health care : for professionals working with children in the hospital and community·2020

This review examined research on how to help children and teens with ME/CFS feel better through nutrition, exercise, and psychological support. The researchers found that exercise programs and a combination of treatments (including therapy, exercise, nutrition advice, and family support) helped reduce fatigue and improve school attendance. However, very few studies have looked at ME/CFS in younger children, so more research is needed.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Assessment of the scientific rigour of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

Ahmed, S A, Mewes, J C, Vrijhoef, Hjm·Journal of health psychology·2020

This review examined 18 previous studies that tested cognitive behavioural therapy (talk therapy focused on thoughts and behaviors) and graded exercise therapy (gradually increasing physical activity) for ME/CFS. The reviewers found that most of these studies had significant problems in how they were designed and conducted, which means we cannot be confident in their results. The review highlights that better, more carefully designed studies are needed with better ways of measuring improvements.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of neurological impairments in myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome using neuroimaging techniques.

Maksoud, Rebekah, du Preez, Stanley, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie et al.·PloS one·2020

This review examined 55 studies that used brain imaging techniques to look for physical differences in the brains of people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. The researchers found evidence that ME/CFS affects how the nervous system works, including changes in brain structure and blood flow. However, the findings weren't consistent across all studies, meaning scientists still don't have a complete picture of what's happening in the brain.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Potential causal factors of CFS/ME: a concise and systematic scoping review of factors researched.

Muller, Ashley Elizabeth, Tveito, Kari, Bakken, Inger Johanne et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed over 1,100 studies published between 1979 and 2019 to understand what might cause ME/CFS. They found that scientists have studied many different potential causes, including immune system problems, psychological factors, infections, and hormonal imbalances. However, most of these studies were small and only suggested ideas rather than proving what actually causes ME/CFS—we need larger, better-designed studies to get real answers.

Endocrine Disruption

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Genetic risk factors of ME/CFS: a critical review.

Dibble, Joshua J, McGrath, Simon J, Ponting, Chris P·Human molecular genetics·2020

This review examined whether specific genes increase the risk of developing ME/CFS. Researchers looked at existing studies and large patient databases to see if genetic factors could explain why some people get ME/CFS and others don't. They found that most previously suggested 'culprit genes' couldn't be confirmed in larger studies, suggesting the genetic picture of ME/CFS is more complex than initially thought.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not required

The Lonely, Isolating, and Alienating Implications of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Boulazreg, Samir, Rokach, Ami·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This study examines how ME/CFS affects people's emotional and social well-being, focusing particularly on loneliness. The researchers reviewed existing research to understand how ME/CFS creates isolation for patients during their teenage and adult years, and how it also impacts family members and healthcare workers. The study brings together information about loneliness and chronic illness to help explain why ME/CFS can feel so isolating and offers some strategies that might help people cope with these feelings.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Patients' experiences and effects of non-pharmacological treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping mixed methods review.

Mengshoel, Anne Marit, Helland, Ingrid Bergliot, Meeus, Mira et al.·International journal of qualitative studies on health and well-being·2020

This review looked at 16 European studies on non-drug treatments for ME/CFS, examining what actually helps patients and what matters most to them during treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed the most promise for reducing fatigue compared to no treatment, while rehabilitation and activity-pacing approaches showed mixed results. Importantly, patients felt most helped when their doctors truly recognized ME/CFS as a real illness and supported them, but they were often unsure what these treatments actually involved or why they were being recommended.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Kim, Do-Young, Lee, Jin-Seok, Park, Samuel-Young et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed 55 clinical trials testing different treatments for ME/CFS involving over 6,000 patients. They found that while a few treatments showed promise—including some medications, cognitive-behavior therapy, graded exercise, and traditional therapies like acupuncture—none proved to be reliably effective across multiple studies. This review highlights that we still don't have a clearly proven treatment for ME/CFS.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Gulf war illness, post-HPV vaccination syndrome, and Macrophagic Myofasciitis. Similar disabling conditions possibly linked to vaccine-induced autoimmune dysautonomia.

Martinez-Lavin, Manuel, Tejada-Ruiz, Melina·Autoimmunity reviews·2020

This review looked at three conditions that share similar symptoms—Gulf War illness, post-HPV vaccination syndrome, and Macrophagic Myofasciitis—and found they may have a common cause related to vaccines. All three conditions involve chronic fatigue, widespread pain, and cognitive problems. The authors propose that in some susceptible people, vaccines or multiple vaccines given close together might trigger an autoimmune reaction affecting the nervous system that controls heart rate, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions.

Immune System

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Evidence browser

Cognitive symptoms after COVID-19.

Insights into Metabolite Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systemic Review and Comparison of Clinical Presentation and Symptomatology.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management

Elevated Perceived Exertion in People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Meta-analysis.

Effectiveness of Active Therapy-Based Training to Improve the Balance in Patients with Fibromyalgia: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

A relational analysis of an invisible illness: A meta-ethnography of people with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and their support needs.

Graded exercise therapy does not restore the ability to work in ME/CFS - Rethinking of a Cochrane review.

Using structural and functional MRI as a neuroimaging technique to investigate chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy: a systematic review.

Heart rate variability in patients with somatic symptom disorders and functional somatic syndromes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Systematic Review of the Epidemiological Burden of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Across Europe: Current Evidence and EUROMENE Research Recommendations for Epidemiology.

Management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in a pediatric population: A scoping review.

Assessment of the scientific rigour of randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy for patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

A systematic review of neurological impairments in myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome using neuroimaging techniques.

Potential causal factors of CFS/ME: a concise and systematic scoping review of factors researched.

Genetic risk factors of ME/CFS: a critical review.

The Lonely, Isolating, and Alienating Implications of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Patients' experiences and effects of non-pharmacological treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - a scoping mixed methods review.

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Gulf war illness, post-HPV vaccination syndrome, and Macrophagic Myofasciitis. Similar disabling conditions possibly linked to vaccine-induced autoimmune dysautonomia.

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