ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

2981–3000 of 6,160 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Increased daily physical activity and fatigue symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Black, Christopher D, O'connor, Patrick J, McCully, Kevin K·Dynamic medicine : DM·2005

This small study asked 6 people with ME/CFS to increase their daily walking by about 30% for 4 weeks and tracked how they felt. Unlike some previous research suggesting exercise helps, these patients reported that their muscle pain and mood actually got worse with more activity, even though they were able to increase their activity level. The researchers suggest that people with ME/CFS may have a daily limit to how much activity they can do before symptoms worsen.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Prevalence and correlates of nonrestorative sleep complaints.

Ohayon, Maurice M·Archives of internal medicine·2005

This study surveyed over 25,000 people across seven European countries to understand how common nonrestorative sleep (feeling unrefreshed after sleep) is and what factors are linked to it. Researchers found that about 1 in 10 people experience nonrestorative sleep, with women and younger adults affected more often. People with this symptom reported worse daytime tiredness and mental fatigue compared to those with other sleep problems.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Lymphocyte subset differences in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and major depression.

Robertson, M J, Schacterle, R S, Mackin, G A et al.·Clinical and experimental immunology·2005

This study looked at immune cells in the blood of people with ME/CFS and compared them to people with depression, multiple sclerosis, and healthy individuals. While the total numbers of major immune cell types were similar across groups, researchers found differences in specific subtypes of these cells, particularly in natural killer cells. This suggests that ME/CFS may involve changes in how the immune system is organized, even if total cell counts appear normal.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fatigue and regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in multiple sclerosis.

Gottschalk, Michaela, Kümpfel, Tania, Flachenecker, Peter et al.·Archives of neurology·2005

This study looked at fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and examined whether their stress hormone system (HPA axis) might be involved. Researchers tested 31 MS patients using three different fatigue questionnaires and a special hormone test. They found that MS patients with severe fatigue had higher levels of a stress hormone called ACTH compared to MS patients without fatigue.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome: exercise performance related to immune dysfunction.

Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira, McGregor, Neil R et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2005

This study looked at whether problems with the immune system might explain why people with ME/CFS feel exhausted after exercise and cannot exercise as much as healthy people. Researchers tested 16 ME/CFS patients' immune cells and had them exercise on a stationary bike while measuring their oxygen use and heart rate. They found that two specific immune markers—elastase and protein kinase R—were linked to reduced exercise capacity, suggesting immune dysfunction may play a role in abnormal exercise responses.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Normal opioid tone and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome despite marked functional impairment.

Inder, Warrick J, Prickett, Timothy C R, Mulder, Roger T·Clinical endocrinology·2005

This study tested whether ME/CFS is caused by low levels of pain-relieving chemicals (opioids) in the brain or problems with the stress hormone system. Researchers measured hormone levels and responses in 12 ME/CFS patients and 11 healthy people, and found no differences between the groups, suggesting these hormonal systems are working normally in ME/CFS despite severe fatigue and physical limitations.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

[Effect of physical factors on bioelectric properties of cell nuclei of buccal epithelium in students with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Samoĭlovych, V A, Hutarieva, N V, Tondiĭ, L D·Likars'ka sprava·2005

Researchers studied 60 students with chronic fatigue syndrome at a health facility, dividing them into two groups receiving different types of physical activity: one group did water-based exercise therapy while the other did conventional exercise classes and contrast showers. By measuring changes in the electrical properties of cells from the mouth's lining, researchers found that the water-based therapy group showed improved electrical cell activity that matched their clinical improvement, suggesting physical treatments may help restore normal body function in ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Stress-induced changes in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Gaab, Jens, Rohleder, Nicolas, Heitz, Vera et al.·Psychoneuroendocrinology·2005

This study tested how ME/CFS patients' immune systems respond to stress compared to healthy people. Researchers gave both groups a stressful public speaking task, then exposed their blood samples to a bacterial substance to measure immune response. Unlike healthy controls whose immune response increased after stress, ME/CFS patients showed a decreased immune response, suggesting their bodies may not mobilize infection-fighting chemicals normally during stress.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Clinical observation on effect of electro-acupuncture on back-shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome].

Wang, Qian, Xiong, Jia-xuan·Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine·2005

This study tested whether a type of acupuncture called electro-acupuncture (using small electrical currents with acupuncture needles) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) feel less tired and have fewer symptoms. Forty patients received treatment targeting specific acupuncture points on the back, and researchers measured their fatigue and symptom levels before and after treatment. The results showed that fatigue and symptoms improved significantly after the treatment.

Interventions

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Awareness and knowledge of fibromyalgia among French rheumatologists and general practitioners.

Blotman, F, Thomas, E, Myon, E et al.·Clinical and experimental rheumatology·2005

This study asked French doctors (both general practitioners and specialists called rheumatologists) how much they knew about fibromyalgia, a condition with widespread muscle pain and fatigue. The results showed that most doctors had never formally learned about this condition in medical school, and many did not fully recognize it as a legitimate disease. The study highlights that doctors need better training to understand and properly diagnose fibromyalgia.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

JP-8 jet fuel exposure and divided attention test performance in 1991 Gulf War veterans.

Bell, Iris R, Brooks, Audrey J, Baldwin, Carol M et al.·Aviation, space, and environmental medicine·2005

This study examined how exposure to low levels of jet fuel affected thinking and attention in Gulf War veterans who were chronically ill. Researchers tested veterans' reaction times on a computer task before and after brief exposures to either jet fuel fumes or clean air, done three times over three weeks. Veterans who were ill and had chemical sensitivities showed faster reaction times after jet fuel exposure, which the researchers suggest might indicate changes in brain chemistry rather than improved thinking.

Cognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Impact of a maximal exercise test on symptoms and activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bazelmans, Ellen, Bleijenberg, Gijs, Voeten, Marinus J M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2005

This study tested how a single intense exercise session affected people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. People with ME/CFS experienced increased fatigue that lasted up to 2 days after the exercise test, while healthy people felt back to normal within 2 hours. Interestingly, people with ME/CFS didn't actually move around less after the exercise—their fatigue increased even though their measured activity stayed the same.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

[Prevalence of atopy in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Ferré Ybarz, L, Cardona Dahl, V, Cadahía García, A et al.·Allergologia et immunopathologia·2005

Researchers compared allergies and allergic sensitivity in 25 people with ME/CFS to 20 healthy controls. While patients with ME/CFS reported slightly more respiratory symptoms and drug allergies, the study found no significant difference in overall allergic sensitization between the two groups. This suggests that allergies may not be a core feature of ME/CFS, though some patients do experience them.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Hyperventilation and amplified blood pressure response: is there a link?

Naschitz, J E, Mussafia-Priselac, R, Peck, E R et al.·Journal of human hypertension·2005

This study looked at whether rapid, shallow breathing (hyperventilation) causes blood pressure to rise when people change position, such as standing up. Researchers tested 320 patients with various conditions including ME/CFS using a tilt table test while measuring breathing CO2 levels. They found that hyperventilation during the test did not lead to higher blood pressure increases, suggesting that rapid breathing may not be the cause of blood pressure problems in these patient groups.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.

Nijs, Jo, Van de Putte, Karen, Louckx, Fred et al.·Clinical rehabilitation·2005

This study looked at whether exercise tests and questionnaires could predict which ME/CFS patients could work. Researchers tested 54 employed patients with ME/CFS and asked them about their work status and quality of life. They found that while some measures weakly related to employment, neither exercise testing nor self-reported disability measures were strong enough to reliably predict who could work.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The definition of disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Fowler, Tom, Duthie, Pamela, Thapar, Anita et al.·BMC family practice·2005

This study looked at how disabling fatigue in children and teens should be defined, since the current definition used for adults might not fit young people well. Researchers found that children with disabling fatigue that didn't quite meet the strict adult criteria still suffered just as much and missed just as much school as those who did meet the strict criteria. The study suggests that doctors should use a broader, less restrictive definition to catch all children who need help.

Diagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Orthostatic instability in a population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jones, James F, Nicholson, Ainsley, Nisenbaum, Rosane et al.·The American journal of medicine·2005

This study tested whether people with ME/CFS have problems with their body's ability to regulate blood pressure and heart rate when changing positions (like standing up). Researchers compared 58 people with ME/CFS to 55 healthy people using a tilt table test. Surprisingly, they found that both groups had similar rates of these problems, suggesting that this particular type of autonomic dysfunction may not be a primary cause of ME/CFS.

Autonomic Nervous System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and cortisone output in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jerjes, W K, Cleare, A J, Wessely, S et al.·Journal of affective disorders·2005

This study measured stress hormone levels (cortisol and cortisone) in saliva samples from ME/CFS patients and healthy people throughout the day. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had lower levels of both hormones compared to healthy controls, but the daily pattern of these hormones remained similar between the two groups. This suggests that the body's stress response system may not be working at full capacity in some ME/CFS patients.

Endocrine Disruption

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Do support groups help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? A comparison of active and inactive members.

Friedberg, Fred, Leung, Debbie W, Quick, Joyce·The Journal of rheumatology·2005

This study asked people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia whether support groups helped them. Researchers found that active members valued support groups mostly for feeling understood and learning new information, though fewer felt the groups directly improved their illness. Interestingly, people who stayed active in groups reported worse symptoms than those who stopped attending, which may mean sicker people keep going or that something about the groups themselves affects outcomes.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate but normal insulin-like growth factor in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relevance for the inflammatory response in CFS.

Maes, Michael, Mihaylova, Ivana, De Ruyter, Marcel·Neuro endocrinology letters·2005

This study compared hormone levels in people with ME/CFS to healthy controls. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly lower levels of DHEAS (a hormone made by the adrenal glands), but normal levels of another hormone called IGF1. The low DHEAS was closely linked to markers of immune system activation and inflammation, suggesting this hormone imbalance may contribute to ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune System

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Increased daily physical activity and fatigue symptoms in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Prevalence and correlates of nonrestorative sleep complaints.

Lymphocyte subset differences in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis and major depression.

Fatigue and regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in multiple sclerosis.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: exercise performance related to immune dysfunction.

Normal opioid tone and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in chronic fatigue syndrome despite marked functional impairment.

[Effect of physical factors on bioelectric properties of cell nuclei of buccal epithelium in students with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Stress-induced changes in LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production in chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Clinical observation on effect of electro-acupuncture on back-shu points in treating chronic fatigue syndrome].

Awareness and knowledge of fibromyalgia among French rheumatologists and general practitioners.

JP-8 jet fuel exposure and divided attention test performance in 1991 Gulf War veterans.

Impact of a maximal exercise test on symptoms and activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Prevalence of atopy in chronic fatigue syndrome].

Hyperventilation and amplified blood pressure response: is there a link?

Employment status in chronic fatigue syndrome. A cross-sectional study examining the value of exercise testing and self-reported measures for the assessment of employment status.

The definition of disabling fatigue in children and adolescents.

Orthostatic instability in a population-based study of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Diurnal patterns of salivary cortisol and cortisone output in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Do support groups help people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia? A comparison of active and inactive members.

Decreased dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate but normal insulin-like growth factor in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS): relevance for the inflammatory response in CFS.

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