ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

301–320 of 6,209 studies

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 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 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 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 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

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

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 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 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 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 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.

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 and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Lim, Eun-Jin, Ahn, Yo-Chan, Jang, Eun-Su et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study looked at 45 research projects involving over 1 million people to estimate how many people have ME/CFS worldwide. The researchers found that about 0.68% of the general population (roughly 1 in 150 people) has ME/CFS, though the number varies depending on who was studied and how the diagnosis was made. Women are about 1.5 to 2 times more likely to have ME/CFS than men.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Systematic Review of Primary Outcome Measurements for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in Randomized Controlled Trials.

Kim, Do-Young, Lee, Jin-Seok, Son, Chang-Gue·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

This study examined how researchers measure treatment effects in ME/CFS clinical trials by reviewing 52 studies published between 1996 and 2020. The researchers found that most trials rely on patient questionnaires asking about fatigue, physical function, and quality of life rather than objective blood tests or physical measurements. Three questionnaires—the SF-36, Checklist Individual Strength, and Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire—were used most often to track whether treatments worked.

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

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

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.

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).

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

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.

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

Interventions to treat pain in paediatric CFS/ME: 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.

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

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

Food Implications in Central Sensitization Syndromes.

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

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Systematic Review of Primary Outcome Measurements for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) in Randomized Controlled Trials.

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

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