ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

321–340 of 6,157 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Peak Oxygen Uptake in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Meta-Analysis.

Franklin, John Derek, Atkinson, Greg, Atkinson, Janet M et al.·International journal of sports medicine·2019

This research review analyzed 32 studies comparing how much oxygen people with ME/CFS can use during maximum exercise compared to healthy people. On average, people with ME/CFS used about 5 milliliters less oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute than healthy controls—a meaningful difference that likely affects real-world functioning. This reduced oxygen capacity is one of the measurable physical differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy individuals.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Invisible Burden of Chronic Fatigue in the Community: a Narrative Review.

Fatt, Scott J, Cvejic, Erin, Lloyd, Andrew R et al.·Current rheumatology reports·2019

This review looked at research comparing three levels of tiredness: prolonged fatigue (lasting 1-6 months), chronic fatigue (lasting over 6 months), and ME/CFS (a more severe condition). The authors found that people with chronic fatigue and ME/CFS report very similar struggles with physical symptoms, emotional challenges, and difficulty with daily activities. However, researchers still don't understand why some people's fatigue gets worse and develops into ME/CFS while others' doesn't.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of cytokines in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis/systemic exertion intolerance disease (CFS/ME/SEID).

Corbitt, Matthew, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Staines, Donald et al.·BMC neurology·2019

Researchers reviewed 15 studies that measured immune signaling molecules called cytokines in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Although many studies have looked at cytokines in ME/CFS, the results were too mixed and inconsistent to show that cytokines could be used as a reliable test for the condition or to confirm a clear role in causing the disease.

BiomarkersImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and the biopsychosocial model: a review of patient harm and distress in the medical encounter.

Geraghty, Keith J, Blease, Charlotte·Disability and rehabilitation·2019

This review examines why many ME/CFS patients feel harmed or upset after seeing doctors. The researchers found seven main problems: difficulty getting diagnosed, being misdiagnosed with other conditions, trouble accessing medical support, poor quality of care, negative experiences with treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise programs, doctors not believing patients' descriptions of their illness, and emotional distress. The authors suggest that doctors should listen more carefully to patients and adopt approaches centered on what patients actually experience.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of natural killer cells profile and cytotoxic function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, du Preez, Stanley, Cabanas, Hélène et al.·Systematic reviews·2019

This review examined research on natural killer cells, which are immune cells that help fight infections and abnormal cells in the body. Scientists found that people with ME/CFS consistently have natural killer cells that don't work as well as they should. This discovery was the most reliable and consistent finding across all the studies reviewed, suggesting it could be an important marker for understanding ME/CFS.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Post-bacterial infection chronic fatigue syndrome is not a latent infection.

Melenotte, Cléa, Drancourt, Michel, Gorvel, Jean Pierre et al.·Medecine et maladies infectieuses·2019

This review examined whether bacteria that stay dormant (inactive) in the body after an infection could cause chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. The researchers looked at scientific evidence and found no proof that dormant bacteria cause the ongoing fatigue and other symptoms people experience after bacterial infections. The study suggests that psychological trauma and unknown causes may play a role in post-infection fatigue, rather than persistent bacterial infection.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Child and adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: where are we now?

Gregorowski, Anna, Simpson, Jane, Segal, Terry Y·Current opinion in pediatrics·2019

This review looked at what we currently know about ME/CFS in children and teenagers, including what might cause it, how it affects their lives, and what treatments might help. The researchers found that ME/CFS is a serious condition that varies greatly from person to person, and that we still don't fully understand what causes it or have proven treatments that work for everyone. They highlight that more research is urgently needed, especially to help the most severely affected young people.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zhang, Qing, Gong, Jing, Dong, Haoxu et al.·Acupuncture in medicine : journal of the British Medical Acupuncture Society·2019

This review examined 16 studies testing whether acupuncture helps people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that acupuncture appeared to reduce fatigue more than fake acupuncture or herbal medicine treatments. However, most studies had quality problems, so the results may not be reliable, and the authors say we need better-designed studies before drawing firm conclusions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Psychological impact of fibromyalgia: current perspectives.

Galvez-Sánchez, Carmen M, Duschek, Stefan, Reyes Del Paso, Gustavo A·Psychology research and behavior management·2019

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that often comes with fatigue, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating. This review found that people with fibromyalgia frequently experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, and these psychological symptoms can make the physical illness worse. The study suggests that combining talk therapy or other psychological support with medication may help patients feel better and improve their quality of life.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

General medical services by non-medical health professionals: a systematic quantitative review of economic evaluations in primary care.

Anthony, Bethany F, Surgey, Alun, Hiscock, Julia et al.·The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners·2019

This review looked at whether nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals can provide medical care more cheaply than doctors in primary care settings. The researchers found very limited evidence about costs and outcomes, with some nurse-led care for minor problems being cost-effective, but nurse-led care for chronic fatigue syndrome was not cost-effective compared to doctor care.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Larun, Lillebeth, Brurberg, Kjetil G, Odgaard-Jensen, Jan et al.·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2019

This review looked at whether exercise therapy helps people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that exercise probably reduces tiredness compared to usual care, and may slightly improve physical function and sleep. However, the long-term benefits are unclear, and the evidence comparing exercise to other treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy is limited.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome].

Brinth, Louise, Nielsen, Henrik, Varming, Kim et al.·Ugeskrift for laeger·2019

ME/CFS is a serious condition that causes extreme tiredness affecting both mind and body, along with pain, sleep problems, difficulty thinking clearly, and a symptom called post-exertional malaise where activity makes symptoms worse. Research has found changes in patients' cells, hormones, immune systems, and how their bodies process energy, which could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat this condition.

BiomarkersEnergy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The clinical value of cytokines in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yang, Tiansong, Yang, Yan, Wang, Delong et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2019

This review examined whether immune system signaling molecules called cytokines could help doctors diagnose or treat ME/CFS. While researchers found that cytokines are abnormal in ME/CFS patients' blood and fluid around the brain, the current evidence shows these markers are not reliable enough to use alone for diagnosis. The review suggests that measuring multiple cytokines together might help doctors better understand what's happening in individual patients, but cytokines are not yet proven as effective treatment targets.

BiomarkersImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis.

Birder, Lori A·International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association·2019

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic bladder pain condition with no clear cause and no universally accepted treatment. This review examines how bladder pain occurs without obvious damage to bladder tissue or nerves, and notes that patients with this condition often have overlapping symptoms with other chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers use animal models and look for biomarkers in urine to better understand the condition and develop new treatments.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: From pathophysiological insights to novel therapeutic opportunities.

Morris, Gerwyn, Puri, Basant K, Walker, Adam J et al.·Pharmacological research·2019

This review examines what goes wrong in the bodies of ME/CFS patients and looks at treatments that might help. Researchers found that ME/CFS involves several biological problems, including inflammation, increased cellular stress, gut problems, and energy production issues. The review highlights five promising supplements—coenzyme Q10, melatonin, curcumin, molecular hydrogen, and N-acetylcysteine—that target these problems, though much more testing is needed.

Energy Metabolism

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Fatigue, Sleep, and Autoimmune and Related Disorders.

Zielinski, Mark R, Systrom, David M, Rose, Noel R·Frontiers in immunology·2019

Severe fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms reported by people with autoimmune diseases, including ME/CFS. This review examines how inflammation and the brain contribute to fatigue in these conditions. The authors explain that fatigue involves multiple body systems—including energy supply, metabolism, mood, and sleep—all of which can be disrupted by inflammation.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of enteric dysbiosis in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Du Preez, S, Corbitt, M, Cabanas, H et al.·Systematic reviews·2018

Researchers reviewed seven studies looking at whether gut bacteria differences might cause ME/CFS symptoms. While all studies found some differences in gut bacteria between ME/CFS patients and healthy people, the findings were inconsistent and often not statistically significant. Currently, there isn't enough reliable evidence to say that abnormal gut bacteria are a major cause of ME/CFS.

Gut Microbiome

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment is not effective for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A review of the FatiGo trial.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Health psychology open·2018

This analysis reviewed a major trial called FatiGo that compared two treatment approaches for ME/CFS: multidisciplinary rehabilitation (combining physical therapy, psychology, and other treatments) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). While the original FatiGo trial claimed both treatments were effective, this review found serious problems with how the study was conducted and concluded that the evidence does not actually support these claims.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Health psychology open·2018

This study re-examined a major 2017 review that had concluded graded exercise therapy (GET) was helpful for ME/CFS. The researchers found serious problems with that review's methods and conclusions. They concluded there is no reliable evidence that GET works for ME/CFS, and safety concerns were not properly reported in the original trials.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

[Neurologic Abnormalities in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Review].

Komaroff, Anthony L, Takahashi, Ryosuke, Yamamura, Takashi et al.·Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo·2018

This review examines objective, measurable evidence that ME/CFS is a real physical illness, not just a psychological condition. Researchers looked at studies showing that ME/CFS involves problems with the brain, immune system, and how the body uses energy. They found that immune activation—where the body's defense system becomes overactive—may be a key driver of ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

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Peak Oxygen Uptake in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Meta-Analysis.

The Invisible Burden of Chronic Fatigue in the Community: a Narrative Review.

A systematic review of cytokines in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis/systemic exertion intolerance disease (CFS/ME/SEID).

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and the biopsychosocial model: a review of patient harm and distress in the medical encounter.

A systematic review of natural killer cells profile and cytotoxic function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Post-bacterial infection chronic fatigue syndrome is not a latent infection.

Child and adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: where are we now?

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Psychological impact of fibromyalgia: current perspectives.

General medical services by non-medical health professionals: a systematic quantitative review of economic evaluations in primary care.

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome].

The clinical value of cytokines in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pathophysiology of interstitial cystitis.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: From pathophysiological insights to novel therapeutic opportunities.

Fatigue, Sleep, and Autoimmune and Related Disorders.

A systematic review of enteric dysbiosis in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment is not effective for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A review of the FatiGo trial.

Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

[Neurologic Abnormalities in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Review].

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