ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

361–380 of 6,187 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Measuring School Functioning in Students With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Tollit, Michelle, Politis, Jennifer, Knight, Sarah·The Journal of school health·2018

This review looked at 36 studies examining how ME/CFS affects students' school experiences. Researchers found that most studies only measured school absences, but didn't thoroughly look at other important aspects like grades, motivation, or what support students receive. The review highlights that we need better ways to measure and understand how ME/CFS impacts all areas of school life.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Cost-effectiveness of interventions for medically unexplained symptoms: A systematic review.

Wortman, Margreet S H, Lokkerbol, Joran, van der Wouden, Johannes C et al.·PloS one·2018

This study looked at 39 research projects to find out which treatments for long-lasting unexplained symptoms—including chronic fatigue syndrome—work best and offer good value for money. The researchers found that group-based treatments (where patients meet together) tend to be more cost-effective than one-on-one treatments. However, the studies they reviewed were quite different from each other, making it hard to compare results directly.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A unifying theory for cognitive abnormalities in functional neurological disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: systematic review.

Teodoro, Tiago, Edwards, Mark J, Isaacs, Jeremy D·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2018

Many people with ME/CFS report cognitive problems like brain fog, forgetfulness, and difficulty concentrating. This review of 95 studies found that while patients consistently describe these symptoms, standard memory and thinking tests often show normal or only mild problems. The authors suggest that pain, fatigue, and the body's excessive self-monitoring may force the brain to work harder on everyday tasks, making thinking feel more exhausting even when test results look relatively normal.

Cognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

WITHDRAWN: Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Adams, Denise, Wu, Taixiang, Yang, Xunzhe et al.·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2018

Researchers searched for studies testing whether traditional Chinese herbal medicines could help treat ME/CFS and chronic fatigue. After reviewing over 2,400 studies across 13 databases, they found that while many studies existed, none met the strict standards needed to prove whether these herbs actually work. The main problem was that most studies, especially those from China, did not use proper scientific methods to fairly test the treatments.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Rasa, Santa, Nora-Krukle, Zaiga, Henning, Nina et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2018

This review examined all existing research on whether viruses might cause ME/CFS. Scientists found that while many studies have looked at different viruses, the research has been poorly designed and inconsistent, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. The authors suggest that future studies need better planning and more rigorous methods to properly answer whether viruses play a role in ME/CFS.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Exercise therapy is a beneficial intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome (PEDro synthesis).

Dannaway, Jasan, New, Cameron C, New, Charles H et al.·British journal of sports medicine·2018

This review examined multiple studies to determine whether exercise therapy helps people with ME/CFS. The researchers looked at existing evidence to see if physical activity programs could improve fatigue and other symptoms. However, it's important to note that findings on exercise for ME/CFS are complex and sometimes controversial in the patient community.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Recognizing the Leaky Gut as a Trans-diagnostic Target for Neuroimmune Disorders Using Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Immunology Assays.

Simeonova, Denitsa, Ivanovska, Mariya, Murdjeva, Mariana et al.·Current topics in medicinal chemistry·2018

This review examines how a condition called 'leaky gut'—where the intestinal barrier becomes too permeable, allowing harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream—may contribute to ME/CFS and other conditions affecting mood and energy. The authors summarize available blood and stool tests that can help doctors recognize leaky gut in practice. They identify specific markers (like immune responses to bacterial toxins and inflammatory proteins) that could signal intestinal barrier problems.

Gut MicrobiomeImmune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Postural tachycardia syndrome and other forms of orthostatic intolerance in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Roma, Maria, Marden, Colleen L, De Wandele, Inge et al.·Autonomic neuroscience : basic & clinical·2018

This review looked at research connecting two conditions: orthostatic intolerance (difficulty standing up without dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a connective tissue disorder causing loose joints and flexible skin). The researchers found that people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome experience orthostatic intolerance symptoms much more often than healthy people, and these symptoms significantly affect their quality of life.

Autonomic Nervous System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearEditorial

Cognitive behaviour therapy and objective assessments in chronic fatigue syndrome.

McPhee, Graham·Journal of health psychology·2017

This review looked at studies testing whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—a talking treatment—helps people with ME/CFS. Most studies only asked patients if they felt better, but didn't measure whether they could actually do more physical activities. The review found little evidence that CBT improves what patients can actually do or helps them return to work.

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 unclearSystematic-Review

Dietary and nutrition interventions for the therapeutic treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic review.

Campagnolo, N, Johnston, S, Collatz, A et al.·Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association·2017

Researchers reviewed 17 studies looking at whether diet changes and supplements could help ME/CFS symptoms like fatigue and quality of life. While a few interventions—including NADH, probiotics, and high-cocoa chocolate—showed promise for reducing fatigue, most studies did not find clear benefits. Overall, there isn't enough strong evidence yet to recommend specific diets or supplements as reliable treatments for ME/CFS.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEditorial

[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Critical Review].

Rollnik, Jens D·Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie·2017

This review examines whether ME/CFS is a distinct disease or if its symptoms overlap significantly with depression and other conditions. The authors found that while ME/CFS affects less than 1% of the population, there is no clear biological explanation for what causes it, and there are no universally agreed-upon diagnostic criteria. They recommend trying exercise, antidepressants, and talk therapy, but caution against using aggressive immune therapies without stronger evidence.

Diagnostics

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 unclearSystematic-Review

A systematic review of the association between fatigue and genetic polymorphisms.

Wang, Tengteng, Yin, Jie, Miller, Andrew H et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2017

Researchers reviewed 50 studies to understand whether differences in our genes (called genetic polymorphisms) might make some people more likely to experience severe fatigue. They found that certain genetic variations in immune system and brain chemistry genes were linked to fatigue across different diseases, including ME/CFS. This suggests that our genes may play a role in determining how tired we become.

Immune System

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·2017

This review looked at eight research studies testing whether exercise therapy helps people with ME/CFS feel less fatigued and improve their daily functioning. Overall, patients who did exercise therapy felt less tired and reported better sleep and physical function compared to those who received standard care or relaxation therapy. Exercise therapy appeared to work about as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy (talking therapy), though more research is needed to figure out the best type, intensity, and duration of exercise for each patient.

Sleep

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

ME/CFS is a complex illness that causes exhaustion, headaches, and thinking problems, and gets worse with activity. Researchers have suspected for years that the immune system plays a role in ME/CFS, but studies have produced confusing and sometimes contradictory results. This review examines what we currently know about immune system changes in ME/CFS and discusses promising new research directions, including the possibility that certain immune-targeting treatments might help patients improve.

Immune System

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: current perspectives.

Crawley, Esther·Pediatric health, medicine and therapeutics·2017

This review examines ME/CFS in children, showing it is a common condition that significantly affects children and their families. The good news is that most children improve when they receive specialized treatment from doctors who understand this illness. The review summarizes what we know about how many children get ME/CFS, what factors may be involved, and what treatments have evidence supporting them.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: all roads lead to Rome.

Castro-Marrero, Jesus, Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Santillo, Dafna et al.·British journal of pharmacology·2017

This review looked at all available research on treatments for ME/CFS to see what actually helps patients. The researchers found that while some treatments like behavioral therapy, pacing strategies, and nutritional supplements show promise, the evidence is still limited because most studies were small and used different methods. The authors conclude that personalized pacing and treating nutritional deficiencies are reasonable approaches, but much larger and better-designed studies are urgently needed to know what really works.

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

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Hypofunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as a Consequence of Activated Immune-Inflammatory and Oxidative and Nitrosative Pathways.

Morris, Gerwyn, Anderson, George, Maes, Michael·Molecular neurobiology·2017

This review examines why people with ME/CFS often have low cortisol levels (a stress hormone). The researchers found that the problem likely starts with an overactive immune system producing excessive inflammatory markers, which then damages the body's stress-hormone system. This is important because it suggests the low cortisol is a consequence of the disease, not its cause.

Immune System

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Evidence browser

Measuring School Functioning in Students With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

Cost-effectiveness of interventions for medically unexplained symptoms: A systematic review.

A unifying theory for cognitive abnormalities in functional neurological disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: systematic review.

WITHDRAWN: Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of idiopathic chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Exercise therapy is a beneficial intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome (PEDro synthesis).

Recognizing the Leaky Gut as a Trans-diagnostic Target for Neuroimmune Disorders Using Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Immunology Assays.

Postural tachycardia syndrome and other forms of orthostatic intolerance in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Cognitive behaviour therapy and objective assessments in chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Dietary and nutrition interventions for the therapeutic treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: a systematic review.

[Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Critical Review].

The treatment of fatigue by non-invasive brain stimulation.

A systematic review of the association between fatigue and genetic polymorphisms.

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

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

Pediatric chronic fatigue syndrome: current perspectives.

Treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis: all roads lead to Rome.

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

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Hypofunction in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) as a Consequence of Activated Immune-Inflammatory and Oxidative and Nitrosative Pathways.

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