ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

281–300 of 6,187 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The Quality of Methodological and Reporting in Network Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Yuan, Ting, Xiong, Jun, Wang, Xue et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2021

This study reviewed 29 research papers that used a statistical method called network meta-analysis to compare different acupuncture and moxibustion treatments. The researchers assessed how well these papers were designed and reported their findings. They found that most papers had medium quality, with some having significant gaps in how they explained their methods and results.

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.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

Meta-analysis investigating post-exertional malaise between patients and controls.

Brown, Abigail, Jason, Leonard A·Journal of health psychology·2020

This study looked at research from multiple studies to understand how common post-exertional malaise (PEM) is in people with ME/CFS. Post-exertional malaise is when symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS are about 10 times more likely to experience post-exertional malaise than people without the condition, suggesting it is a key feature of ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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 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 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 requiredSystematic-Review

A systematic review on the health outcomes associated with non-endocarditis manifestations of chronic Q fever.

Manchal, Naveen, Adegboye, Oyelola A, Eisen, Damon P·European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology·2020

This study looked at chronic Q fever, a bacterial infection that can cause long-term complications beyond heart valve infections. Researchers found that when chronic Q fever affects bones, blood vessels, or causes abscesses (pockets of infection), patients experience significantly more pain than other forms of the disease. Importantly, the study reviewed existing research to understand how pain and fatigue appear in these less common forms of chronic Q fever.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Postlicensure Observational Studies on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Autoimmune and Other Rare Adverse Events.

Willame, Corinne, Gadroen, Kartini, Bramer, Wichor et al.·The Pediatric infectious disease journal·2020

Researchers reviewed 22 studies that tracked the safety of HPV vaccines (which prevent certain cancers) in millions of people after the vaccines were approved for use. They looked specifically at whether these vaccines were linked to autoimmune diseases—conditions where the immune system attacks the body. Overall, they found no clear connection between HPV vaccines and most rare diseases, though a few associations (both positive and negative) were noted.

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

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 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 not requiredSystematic-Review

Behavioural modification interventions for medically unexplained symptoms in primary care: systematic reviews and economic evaluation.

Leaviss, Joanna, Davis, Sarah, Ren, Shijie et al.·Health technology assessment (Winchester, England)·2020

This large review looked at whether talking therapies, exercise programs, and relaxation techniques help people with unexplained symptoms that doctors can't find a physical cause for. The researchers found that some treatments—especially cognitive-behavioral therapy and combination therapies—showed modest improvements in pain, tiredness, and mood in the short term, but these benefits often faded over time. However, no single treatment worked well for everyone, and treatments didn't reduce the overall symptom burden.

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 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 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 unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of metabolomic dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (CFS/ME/SEID).

Huth, Teilah Kathryn, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Staines, Donald et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed 11 studies that measured tiny chemical molecules (metabolites) in the blood and urine of ME/CFS patients to see if problems with these chemicals might explain the illness. While they found some patterns—especially with chemicals related to amino acids (building blocks of proteins)—the results were inconsistent across different studies. The researchers concluded that we don't yet have enough evidence that metabolite problems cause ME/CFS.

Biomarkers

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

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Evidence Atlas

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The Quality of Methodological and Reporting in Network Meta-Analysis of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

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

Meta-analysis investigating post-exertional malaise between patients and controls.

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

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

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

A systematic review on the health outcomes associated with non-endocarditis manifestations of chronic Q fever.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Postlicensure Observational Studies on Human Papillomavirus Vaccination and Autoimmune and Other Rare Adverse Events.

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

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.

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

Behavioural modification interventions for medically unexplained symptoms in primary care: systematic reviews and economic evaluation.

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

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

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

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

A systematic review of metabolomic dysregulation in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (CFS/ME/SEID).

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).

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