ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

361–380 of 6,122 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Children's experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies.

Parslow, Roxanne M, Harris, Sarah, Broughton, Jessica et al.·BMJ open·2017

This study reviewed 10 research papers about how children with ME/CFS experience their illness. The researchers found that ME/CFS causes major disruption to children's lives, affecting their ability to go to school, see friends, and plan their futures. Children struggle when doctors don't recognize or understand their condition, but they cope better when they have support from family, friends, and healthcare providers who believe their illness is real.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Role of dietary modification in alleviating chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms: a systematic review.

Jones, Kathryn, Probst, Yasmine·Australian and New Zealand journal of public health·2017

Researchers reviewed 22 studies looking at whether changing what you eat could help ME/CFS symptoms. They found some promise with certain supplements like omega-3 fatty acids and D-ribose, as well as foods high in polyphenols (like berries and green tea). However, the evidence overall was limited and inconsistent—meaning we don't yet have clear dietary recommendations that work reliably for most ME/CFS patients.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEditorial

Evidence Refuting the Existence of Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA).

Ameratunga, Rohan, Gillis, David, Gold, Michael et al.·The journal of allergy and clinical immunology. In practice·2017

This study examined whether a theory called ASIA (a proposed condition blamed on vaccine adjuvants like aluminum) is supported by scientific evidence. Researchers looked at data from people who received allergen immunotherapy, which contains much more aluminum than vaccines, and found they actually had fewer autoimmune diseases, not more. The study concludes that current evidence does not support the idea that aluminum in vaccines causes autoimmune problems.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Gut Microbiota, Bacterial Translocation, and Interactions with Diet: Pathophysiological Links between Major Depressive Disorder and Non-Communicable Medical Comorbidities.

Slyepchenko, Anastasiya, Maes, Michael, Jacka, Felice N et al.·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2017

This review examines how changes in gut bacteria and a 'leaky gut' (where bacteria can cross the intestinal barrier) may contribute to depression and related conditions like ME/CFS. The authors found evidence that diet, gut bacteria composition, and immune system activation are interconnected, and that these connections may explain why depression often occurs alongside conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, ME/CFS, obesity, and diabetes.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Exercise and the Athlete With Infectious Mononucleosis.

Shephard, Roy J·Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine·2017

This review examines how infectious mononucleosis (a viral illness caused by Epstein-Barr virus) affects young athletes and whether it can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. The main finding is that with proper diagnosis and a few weeks of rest followed by gradual return to activity, most athletes recover fully within 2-3 months, and serious complications like splenic rupture are rare.

ME/CFS (general)

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

The treatment of fatigue by non-invasive brain stimulation.

Lefaucheur, Jean-Pascal, Chalah, Moussa A, Mhalla, Alaa et al.·Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology·2017

Researchers reviewed 15 studies examining whether non-invasive brain stimulation techniques—specifically transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)—can reduce fatigue in various conditions including ME/CFS. While most studies showed promising results, especially in multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, the evidence remains limited and inconsistent because different studies used different methods and measured fatigue in different ways.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

[Psychological Health of Children with Chronic Physical Illness and their Parents - Results from Meta-Analyses].

Pinquart, Martin·Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie·2017

This meta-analysis (a summary of many studies) observed that children with chronic physical illnesses, including chronic fatigue syndrome, often experience elevated depression, anxiety, and internalizing symptoms compared to healthy children. Notably, parents of these children reported even higher levels of psychological distress than their ill children. These are early findings based on pooling existing research, and the relevance to ME/CFS specifically requires careful interpretation, as ME/CFS was grouped with other chronic conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Vitamin and mineral status in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Joustra, Monica L, Minovic, Isidor, Janssens, Karin A M et al.·PloS one·2017

This review looked at whether people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia have low levels of vitamins and minerals, and whether taking supplements helps. Researchers found very little evidence that vitamin or mineral deficiencies cause these illnesses or that supplements improve symptoms. While some studies showed lower vitamin E levels in patients, this finding disappeared when looking only at higher-quality research.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Do evidence based interventions for chronic fatigue syndrome improve sleep? A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Russell, Charlotte, Kyle, Simon D, Wearden, Alison J·Sleep medicine reviews·2017

This review looked at whether two common treatments for ME/CFS—cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET)—actually help people sleep better. The researchers found only 8 studies that measured sleep as an outcome. GET showed some promise for improving sleep, but results were inconsistent across different studies. CBT had very limited evidence, with only one study out of two showing sleep improvements. Overall, we know very little about whether adding specific sleep management techniques to these treatments makes a difference.

Sleep

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

What treatments work for anxiety in children with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? Systematic review.

Stoll, Sarah Victoria Ellen, Crawley, Esther, Richards, Victoria et al.·BMJ open·2017

Many children with ME/CFS experience anxiety alongside their fatigue symptoms. This review looked at nine studies to find out which treatments help reduce anxiety in children with ME/CFS. While a few treatments showed some promise—particularly therapy approaches like cognitive behavioural therapy and one immune treatment—the evidence is limited and no treatment was specifically designed to target anxiety in this group.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wang, Taiwu, Xu, Cong, Pan, Keli et al.·BMC complementary and alternative medicine·2017

This study reviewed 31 previous research trials examining whether acupuncture and moxibustion (traditional Chinese treatments involving needles and heat) help treat ME/CFS. The researchers found that combining multiple acupuncture and moxibustion techniques appeared more effective than using just one technique, and both were more effective than sham acupuncture (fake treatment). However, the overall quality of the research studies reviewed was weak, so stronger evidence is needed before drawing firm conclusions.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Serious adverse events after HPV vaccination: a critical review of randomized trials and post-marketing case series.

Martínez-Lavín, Manuel, Amezcua-Guerra, Luis·Clinical rheumatology·2017

This review examined safety reports from HPV vaccine studies and medical databases. The authors found that some large vaccine trials reported more serious side effects in vaccinated groups than in control groups, though researchers did not conclude these were caused by the vaccine. The study raises questions about how thoroughly vaccine safety is monitored and reported.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome and the immune system: Where are we now?

Mensah, Fane Kojo Fosu, Bansal, Amolak Singh, Ford, Brian et al.·Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology·2017

This review examines research on how the immune system may be involved in ME/CFS. Studies have reported associations between ME/CFS and changes in certain immune cells (particularly natural killer cells) and chemical messengers called cytokines, though findings across different studies have been inconsistent. While some early reports suggest that B-cell-depleting therapies may be associated with symptom improvement in some patients, the authors note that more research in different patient groups is needed to understand how the immune system contributes to this condition.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Are Traditional Remedies Useful in Management of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? A Review Study.

Mahjoub, Fatemeh, Salari, Roshanak, Noras, Mohammad Reza et al.·Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine·2017

This study looked at how traditional Persian medicine approaches fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, which are conditions that cause widespread pain and extreme tiredness. The researchers compared ancient Persian medical texts, particularly writings by the physician Avicenna, with modern understanding of these diseases. They found that traditional medicine recognized fatigue as a complex condition with different types, each with distinct symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEvidence-Map

The European ME/CFS Biomarker Landscape project: an initiative of the European network EUROMENE.

Scheibenbogen, Carmen, Freitag, Helma, Blanco, Julià et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

Researchers across Europe are working together to find biological markers (signs in blood or body tests) that could help diagnose ME/CFS and track how treatments work. This study reviewed all the biomarker research happening in Europe and created a database of what scientists are studying. The goal is to develop reliable tests that doctors could use in the future to diagnose ME/CFS and improve clinical trials.

Biomarkers

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Psychological Interventions for Children with Functional Somatic Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Bonvanie, Irma J, Kallesøe, Karen H, Janssens, Karin A M et al.·The Journal of pediatrics·2017

This review looked at 27 studies testing whether talking therapies and psychological treatments help children with long-lasting physical symptoms like pain, fatigue, and nausea. The researchers found that psychological treatments did help reduce symptoms, disability, and school absences, and these improvements lasted even after treatment ended.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a Review of Recent Evidence.

Cvejic, Erin, Birch, Rachael C, Vollmer-Conna, Uté·Current rheumatology reports·2016

People with ME/CFS commonly experience 'brain fog'—problems with memory, attention, and concentration. While these cognitive problems are real and significantly impact daily life, the exact biological causes remain unclear. This review suggests that problems with blood flow to the brain and nervous system dysfunction may be involved, and calls for standardized testing methods to better understand what's happening.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women.

Speer, Linda M, Mushkbar, Saudia, Erbele, Tara·American family physician·2016

Chronic pelvic pain in women is long-lasting pain in the pelvic area that lasts more than six months and often has no clear cause. This guideline explains that pelvic pain is frequently linked to other pain conditions and mental health issues like depression, and recommends a whole-person approach to treatment that combines medical care, physical therapy, and behavioral support.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

A Systematic Review of Drug Therapies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Collatz, Ansel, Johnston, Samantha C, Staines, Donald R et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2016

Researchers searched for studies testing medications for ME/CFS and found 26 high-quality trials. While 10 medications showed some benefit in their respective studies, no single medication worked well for everyone with ME/CFS. This suggests that different patients may need different treatments, and more research is needed to find which medications help which patients.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Attentional and interpretive bias towards illness-related information in chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

Hughes, Alicia, Hirsch, Colette, Chalder, Trudie et al.·British journal of health psychology·2016

This review looked at research studies examining how people with ME/CFS pay attention to and interpret information about illness and symptoms. The studies found that some people with ME/CFS tend to notice health-related threats more quickly and interpret their body sensations as signs of illness more readily than healthy people do. These thinking patterns may help keep the fatigue and illness beliefs going, even when other factors aren't actively causing symptoms.

Cognitive Impairment

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Evidence browser

Children's experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative studies.

Role of dietary modification in alleviating chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms: a systematic review.

Evidence Refuting the Existence of Autoimmune/Autoinflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants (ASIA).

Gut Microbiota, Bacterial Translocation, and Interactions with Diet: Pathophysiological Links between Major Depressive Disorder and Non-Communicable Medical Comorbidities.

Exercise and the Athlete With Infectious Mononucleosis.

The treatment of fatigue by non-invasive brain stimulation.

[Psychological Health of Children with Chronic Physical Illness and their Parents - Results from Meta-Analyses].

Vitamin and mineral status in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Do evidence based interventions for chronic fatigue syndrome improve sleep? A systematic review and narrative synthesis.

What treatments work for anxiety in children with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME)? Systematic review.

Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Serious adverse events after HPV vaccination: a critical review of randomized trials and post-marketing case series.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and the immune system: Where are we now?

Are Traditional Remedies Useful in Management of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? A Review Study.

The European ME/CFS Biomarker Landscape project: an initiative of the European network EUROMENE.

Psychological Interventions for Children with Functional Somatic Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cognitive Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a Review of Recent Evidence.

Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women.

A Systematic Review of Drug Therapies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Attentional and interpretive bias towards illness-related information in chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review.

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Neuroinflammation Evidence

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