ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2681–2700 of 6,188 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Postinfectious fatigue in adolescents and physical activity.

Huang, Yue, Katz, Ben Z, Mears, Cynthia et al.·Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine·2010

This study followed 301 teenagers with infectious mononucleosis (mono) for 2 years, comparing those who developed chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with those who recovered normally. Adolescents with post-infection CFS reported much more severe fatigue and needed more daytime sleep than their peers, even though their overall activity levels looked similar on paper. The key finding suggests that teenagers with CFS after mono may be forcing themselves to stay active like their friends, but at a significant physical cost in terms of exhaustion and sleep needs.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related gammaretrovirus in respiratory tract.

Fischer, Nicole, Schulz, Claudia, Stieler, Kristin et al.·Emerging infectious diseases·2010

Researchers looked for a virus called XMRV in respiratory samples (like saliva or mucus) from healthy and immunocompromised people. They found viral traces in a small percentage of healthy people (2-3%) and a higher percentage of immunocompromised people (10%). This study was one of several investigating whether XMRV might be linked to ME/CFS, though the findings were modest.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Evidence for generalized hyperalgesia in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Meeus, Mira, Nijs, Jo, Huybrechts, Sven et al.·Clinical rheumatology·2010

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS feel pain more intensely than healthy people, even in areas where they don't typically experience pain. Researchers measured how much pressure patients and healthy volunteers could tolerate before feeling pain. They found that ME/CFS patients with chronic pain had significantly lower pain thresholds everywhere on their body, suggesting their nervous system may be in a heightened state of sensitivity.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fibromyalgia and related conditions: electromyogram profile during isometric muscle contraction.

Maquet, Didier, Croisier, Jean-Louis, Dupont, Catherine et al.·Joint bone spine·2010

This study measured how muscles work during sustained effort by recording electrical signals from shoulder muscles in people with fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, depression, and healthy controls. People with fibromyalgia stopped their muscle contraction much earlier than others and showed a distinctive electrical pattern suggesting their muscles gave up prematurely. Importantly, ME/CFS patients showed muscle patterns very similar to healthy people, not the abnormal pattern seen in fibromyalgia.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The effects of repeated thermal therapy on quality of life in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

Beever, Richard·Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2010

This study tested whether far-infrared sauna sessions (3 times per week for 3 months) could improve quality of life in people with type II diabetes. Researchers found that participants reported improvements in physical health, general health, stress, and fatigue. The study suggests that saunas might help people with diabetes feel better, and interestingly, more people seemed willing to try saunas compared to other lifestyle changes.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The increase of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the plasma of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Shishioh-Ikejima, Nobue, Ogawa, Tokiko, Yamaguti, Kouzi et al.·BMC neurology·2010

Researchers measured a hormone called alpha-MSH in the blood of 55 ME/CFS patients and compared it to 30 healthy people. They found that patients diagnosed within the last 5 years had significantly higher alpha-MSH levels than healthy controls, but this difference disappeared in patients who had been ill longer. This suggests alpha-MSH might be a useful blood test for identifying ME/CFS in newly diagnosed patients.

Biomarkers

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Antibody to parvovirus B19 nonstructural protein is associated with chronic arthralgia in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Kerr, Jonathan R, Gough, John, Richards, Selwyn C M et al.·The Journal of general virology·2010

This study looked at whether parvovirus B19 (a common virus) plays a role in ME/CFS, particularly in patients with joint pain. While ME/CFS patients and healthy people had similar rates of past B19 infection, researchers found that ME/CFS patients were much more likely to have specific antibodies suggesting the virus wasn't being cleared properly from their body. Interestingly, patients with these antibodies were more likely to report chronic joint pain.

Immune System

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Physical and psychosocial correlates of severe fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.

van Hoogmoed, Dewy, Fransen, Jaap, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·Rheumatology (Oxford, England)·2010

This study looked at severe fatigue in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition that causes joint inflammation. Researchers found that 42% of RA patients experienced severe fatigue that felt frustrating and exhausting. Importantly, this severe fatigue was more closely linked to pain, mood, sleep quality, and how patients thought about their fatigue—rather than to inflammation markers alone.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A national cross-sectional survey of diagnosed sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: pathways to diagnosis, changes in quality of life and service priorities.

Comiskey, C, Larkan, F·Irish journal of medical science·2010

This study surveyed 211 people in Ireland with a diagnosed ME/CFS to understand their journey to diagnosis and how the illness affected their lives. On average, people visited 4-5 different healthcare services before being diagnosed, and it took nearly 4 years to get a diagnosis (though some waited much longer). Patients reported that their quality of life got significantly worse after developing ME/CFS, and they strongly asked for doctors to have better training and understanding of the condition.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

A retrospective review of the sleep characteristics in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Spitzer, A Robert, Broadman, Melissa·Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain·2010

Researchers studied sleep patterns in 118 patients with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia using objective sleep tests. They found that most patients had abnormal sleep studies showing excessive daytime sleepiness, and some had sleep features similar to narcolepsy. A genetic marker (HLA DQB1*0602) associated with narcolepsy was found in 43% of patients, much higher than in the general population.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Being homebound with chronic fatigue syndrome: A multidimensional comparison with outpatients.

Wiborg, Jan F, van der Werf, Sieberen, Prins, Judith B et al.·Psychiatry research·2010

This study looked at ME/CFS patients who are unable to leave their homes and compared them to patients who can still go to clinics for treatment. Homebound patients experienced much worse daily fatigue, were more likely to believe their symptoms were physical rather than psychological, and tended to be less active. The researchers found that homebound patients may need different treatment approaches designed specifically for their severe level of disability.

Severe ME

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Functional impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivity.

Lavergne, M Ruth, Cole, Donald C, Kerr, Kathleen et al.·Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien·2010

This study looked at 128 patients with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, or multiple chemical sensitivity seen at a Toronto clinic to understand how much these illnesses affect daily life. Compared to healthy Canadians, these patients had significantly lower ability to work, care for themselves, and function in their homes—with 69% having stopped working an average of 3 years after becoming ill. The study found that having fibromyalgia, becoming ill at a younger age, and lower income were linked to worse functional outcomes.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearLongitudinal

Illness trajectories in the chronic fatigue syndrome: a longitudinal study of improvers versus non-improvers.

Ciccone, Donald S, Chandler, Helena K, Natelson, Benjamin H·The Journal of nervous and mental disease·2010

This study followed 94 women with ME/CFS for 2.5 years to see who improved and who didn't. Researchers found that people who got better had less fatigue, pain, and disability over time, while those who didn't improve stayed relatively unchanged. Importantly, people who had both ME/CFS and fibromyalgia at the start were much less likely to improve.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Biochemical and vascular aspects of pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kennedy, Gwen, Khan, Faisel, Hill, Alexander et al.·Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine·2010

This study compared 25 children with ME/CFS to 23 healthy children to understand what happens in their bodies at a chemical and blood vessel level. The researchers found that children with ME/CFS had signs of increased oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) and more dying white blood cells, similar to what has been seen in adults with ME/CFS. However, unlike adults, the children's blood vessel stiffness appeared normal.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Failure to detect the novel retrovirus XMRV in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Erlwein, Otto, Kaye, Steve, McClure, Myra O et al.·PloS one·2010

In 2009, researchers reported finding a virus called XMRV in about two-thirds of ME/CFS patients in the US, raising hopes for a breakthrough in understanding the disease. This UK study tested blood samples from 186 ME/CFS patients to see if they also carried this virus, but found no evidence of XMRV in any of them. The results suggest the virus may not be common in ME/CFS patients in Europe, or that earlier findings may have been specific to certain populations.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Childhood maltreatment and migraine (part III). Association with comorbid pain conditions.

Tietjen, Gretchen E, Brandes, Jan L, Peterlin, B Lee et al.·Headache·2010

This study looked at people with migraine who came to headache clinics and asked whether childhood trauma (abuse or neglect) was connected to having multiple pain conditions at the same time, including chronic fatigue syndrome. They found that people who experienced emotional abuse or physical neglect as children were more likely to have multiple pain conditions as adults, even after accounting for depression and anxiety.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Illness duration and coping style in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brown, Molly M, Brown, Abigail A, Jason, Leonard A·Psychological reports·2010

This study looked at how people with ME/CFS cope with their illness depending on how long they've had it. Researchers found that people who had been sick for longer tended to use more helpful coping strategies—like planning, acceptance, and looking for positive aspects—compared to those who were more recently diagnosed. Interestingly, the severity of symptoms and physical limitations were similar in both groups, but people with longer illness duration were less likely to be working.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Physical and functional impact of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in childhood.

Kennedy, Gwen, Underwood, Christine, Belch, Jill Janette Freda·Pediatrics·2010

This study compared the quality of life of 25 children with ME/CFS to 23 healthy children of similar age and gender. Children with ME/CFS reported much lower quality of life across nearly all areas measured, including physical health, daily activities, and overall well-being. Most children with ME/CFS attended school part-time or received home tutoring only, showing how significantly the illness affects their ability to participate in normal daily life.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

[Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the chronic fatigue syndrome].

Sholomov, I I, Cherevashchenko, L A, Bolotova, N V et al.·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2010

This study examined whether transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—a non-invasive technique that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain—might help people with ME/CFS. Researchers observed patients receiving TMS treatment and tracked their responses. While the study provides early observations about this treatment approach, more rigorous testing is needed to confirm whether TMS is truly effective for ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Omaron in the complex treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis].

Popova, N F, Kamchatnov, P R, Riabukhina, O V et al.·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2010

This study tested a combination medication called omaron in 33 patients with multiple sclerosis to see if it could help with fatigue and thinking problems. After 12 weeks of treatment, patients taking omaron reported feeling less tired (28.6% improvement) and showed better memory and thinking skills compared to a similar group who didn't receive the medication. The drug was well-tolerated with no serious side effects.

Cognitive Impairment

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Evidence browser

Postinfectious fatigue in adolescents and physical activity.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related gammaretrovirus in respiratory tract.

Evidence for generalized hyperalgesia in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case control study.

Fibromyalgia and related conditions: electromyogram profile during isometric muscle contraction.

The effects of repeated thermal therapy on quality of life in patients with type II diabetes mellitus.

The increase of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the plasma of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Antibody to parvovirus B19 nonstructural protein is associated with chronic arthralgia in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Physical and psychosocial correlates of severe fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis.

A national cross-sectional survey of diagnosed sufferers of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: pathways to diagnosis, changes in quality of life and service priorities.

A retrospective review of the sleep characteristics in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Being homebound with chronic fatigue syndrome: A multidimensional comparison with outpatients.

Functional impairment in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivity.

Illness trajectories in the chronic fatigue syndrome: a longitudinal study of improvers versus non-improvers.

Biochemical and vascular aspects of pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome.

Failure to detect the novel retrovirus XMRV in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Childhood maltreatment and migraine (part III). Association with comorbid pain conditions.

Illness duration and coping style in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Physical and functional impact of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis in childhood.

[Transcranial magnetic stimulation in the chronic fatigue syndrome].

[Omaron in the complex treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis].

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