ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

281–300 of 6,157 studies

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 not requiredSystematic-Review

[The review of prospective studies on mental health and the quality of life of physicians and medical students].

Szemik, Szymon, Gajda, Maksymilian, Kowalska, Małgorzata·Medycyna pracy·2020

This review examined research on the mental health and quality of life of doctors and medical students. The studies found that doctors often experience chronic fatigue syndrome and burnout from workplace stress, while medical students and young doctors commonly struggle with depression, alcohol misuse, and suicidal thoughts. The research used long-term follow-up studies to track how these problems develop over time.

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 not requiredSystematic-Review

Advances in Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Zhang, Xiaoyan, Wang, Miao, Zhou, Shigao·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2020

This review looked at research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome over a five-year period. Researchers found that many clinical studies showed TCM may help improve CFS symptoms, but the results are still not completely clear. The review examined different TCM approaches including syndrome-based treatment, external therapies, and combinations with other treatments.

Interventions

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

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 requiredSystematic-Review

Review of case definitions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lim, Eun-Jin, Son, Chang-Gue·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study reviewed how ME/CFS has been defined and diagnosed over the past 34 years, examining 25 different case definitions created by researchers. The researchers found that these definitions fall into four main categories and emphasize different key symptoms—some focus on a viral cause, others on inflammation, and some on multiple system problems. Understanding these different approaches helps doctors and patients recognize that ME/CFS is complex and may require more than one way to diagnose it.

Cognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

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 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

A Literature Review of GP Knowledge and Understanding of ME/CFS: A Report from the Socioeconomic Working Group of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

Pheby, Derek F H, Araja, Diana, Berkis, Uldis et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2020

This study looked at what general practitioners (GPs) know and believe about ME/CFS by reviewing 33 research papers. The researchers found that many GPs don't believe ME/CFS is a real illness or don't feel confident diagnosing it, and patients often report feeling dismissed by their doctors. This problem has been going on for decades and hasn't improved much.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

The Prospects of the Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in ME/CFS Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Lim, Eun-Jin, Kang, Eun-Bum, Jang, Eun-Su et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed studies testing a two-day exercise test (called CPET) that might help diagnose ME/CFS by measuring how the body performs differently on day two compared to day one. In ME/CFS patients, performance dropped on day two, while it improved in healthy people—suggesting this test could objectively measure the characteristic crash (postexertional malaise) that follows exertion in ME/CFS. The test showed promise, but more large-scale studies are needed before it can be used clinically.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Neuroimaging characteristics of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic review.

Shan, Zack Y, Barnden, Leighton R, Kwiatek, Richard A et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study reviewed 63 brain imaging research papers published over 30 years to identify what brain abnormalities are consistently found in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that ME/CFS is commonly associated with unusual patterns of brain activity during thinking tasks and problems in the brain stem (the part controlling basic body functions). The findings suggest that the brains of people with ME/CFS may not be delivering oxygen and nutrients to active brain areas as efficiently as they should.

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

Interventions to treat pain in paediatric CFS/ME: a systematic review.

Ascough, Caitlin, King, Hayley, Serafimova, Teona et al.·BMJ paediatrics open·2020

This review looked at whether treatments for ME/CFS in children help reduce pain, which affects about two-thirds of young patients. Researchers searched medical databases for studies measuring pain before and after treatment. They found that most treatment studies didn't even measure pain, and the few that did weren't specifically designed to treat pain—they focused on overall ME/CFS management. The evidence suggests that children who recover from ME/CFS tend to have less pain than those who don't recover.

Pain and Sensitization

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 not requiredReview-Narrative

Food Implications in Central Sensitization Syndromes.

Aguilar-Aguilar, Elena, Marcos-Pasero, Helena, Ikonomopoulou, Maria P et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This review examined what is known about how food affects three related conditions—fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and multiple chemical sensitivities—that all involve heightened nervous system sensitivity. The authors found that changing diet can help improve quality of life for many patients, but the best approach is personalized and done with help from a dietitian and doctor. They warn against following strict diets without professional guidance.

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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.

[The review of prospective studies on mental health and the quality of life of physicians and medical students].

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.

Advances in Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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.

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

Review of case definitions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

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

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

A Literature Review of GP Knowledge and Understanding of ME/CFS: A Report from the Socioeconomic Working Group of the European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE).

The Prospects of the Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in ME/CFS Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Neuroimaging characteristics of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): a systematic 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.

Interventions to treat pain in paediatric CFS/ME: a systematic review.

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

Food Implications in Central Sensitization Syndromes.

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