ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

381–400 of 6,157 studies

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 study reviewed research on how children with long-term illnesses and their parents cope emotionally. The researchers found that children with ME/CFS and chronic headaches showed the highest levels of depression and anxiety. Interestingly, parents were often more distressed than their sick children, particularly parents of children with HIV/AIDS or cerebral palsy.

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 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 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 unclearSystematic-Review

Examining clinical similarities between myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and D-lactic acidosis: a systematic review.

Wallis, Amy, Ball, Michelle, McKechnie, Sandra et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

This study compared symptoms reported in cases of D-lactic acidosis (a rare condition where a specific type of acid builds up in the body) with symptoms of ME/CFS. Researchers found that many neurological symptoms—like brain fog, movement problems, and nerve-related issues—appeared in both conditions. Both groups also had gut bacteria imbalances and stomach problems. The authors suggest that ME/CFS might involve similar gut-related processes as D-lactic acidosis, but stress that we need more research to understand if this connection is real.

Energy Metabolism

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 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 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 unclearReview-Narrative

A Role for the Intestinal Microbiota and Virome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Navaneetharaja, Navena, Griffiths, Verity, Wileman, Tom et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2016

This review examines whether infections—particularly viruses in the gut—might trigger ME/CFS. The authors suggest that an imbalance in the gut's microbial and viral communities could be a key factor in developing the disease. They propose that understanding these gut infections could help identify better treatments and ways to prevent ME/CFS.

Immune 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 not requiredSystematic-Review

The association between borderline personality disorder, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: systematic review.

Penfold, Sarah, St Denis, Emily, Mazhar, Mir Nadeem·BJPsych open·2016

This review examined whether borderline personality disorder (BPD)—a mental health condition affecting emotions and relationships—occurs more often in people with ME/CFS or fibromyalgia than in the general population. The researchers found that BPD appeared in roughly 2-17% of ME/CFS patients and 1-17% of fibromyalgia patients across different studies, but the numbers varied widely. The authors concluded that more research is needed to understand whether these conditions are truly connected.

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·2016

This review looked at eight studies involving 1,518 people with ME/CFS to see if exercise therapy helps. Most studies showed that exercise reduced fatigue and improved sleep and physical function compared to no treatment or relaxation. Exercise therapy seemed to work about as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy, though the quality of evidence varied.

Sleep

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The differential diagnosis of tiredness: a systematic review.

Stadje, Rebekka, Dornieden, Katharina, Baum, Erika et al.·BMC family practice·2016

This study reviewed 26 previous research studies about why people feel tired when they visit their doctor. The researchers found that serious physical diseases are actually quite rare in tired patients—only about 4% have a serious organic condition. Depression was much more common, affecting about 18% of people who complain of tiredness. The main message is that doctors should focus on checking for depression and emotional stress rather than ordering extensive tests for serious diseases in most cases.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Yoga intervention and functional pain syndromes: a selective review.

Sutar, Roshan, Yadav, Suresh, Desai, Geetha·International review of psychiatry (Abingdon, England)·2016

This review looked at studies examining whether yoga might help people with chronic pain conditions that are hard to diagnose, including ME/CFS. The researchers found that several studies suggested yoga may provide modest benefits for these types of pain conditions. However, more large-scale research is needed to confirm how helpful yoga really is.

Pain and Sensitization

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 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·2016

This review looked at eight studies testing whether exercise therapy helps people with ME/CFS feel less fatigued. Overall, exercise therapy reduced fatigue more than doing nothing or standard care, and patients also reported improvements in sleep, physical function, and general health. The review found no evidence that exercise made things worse, though more research is needed to determine the best type and intensity of exercise for each person.

Sleep

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Chronic fatigue syndrome - an update.

Rimbaut, Steven, Van Gutte, Céline, Van Brabander, Lina et al.·Acta clinica Belgica·2016

This review examined research on ME/CFS published over 25 years and found that despite extensive scientific study, no single cause of the condition has been definitively proven. Currently, the best-supported treatments are cognitive behavioral therapy (a talk therapy) and graded exercise therapy (gradually increasing activity), though these show only moderate benefits. The study highlights how common ME/CFS is and how significantly it affects people's ability to work and participate in daily life.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Distress in significant others of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review of the literature.

Harris, Kamelia, Band, Rebecca J, Cooper, Hazel et al.·British journal of health psychology·2016

This review looked at six studies examining how ME/CFS affects the emotional health of family members and partners of patients. Most studies found that loved ones experience significant stress and worry. The review discovered that supporters feel more distressed when they blame the patient for their symptoms, when they are female, or when the patient is struggling with mental health issues. However, one study suggested that accepting the illness could help reduce this stress.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

Effect of Acute Exercise on Fatigue in People with ME/CFS/SEID: A Meta-analysis.

Loy, Bryan D, O'Connor, Patrick J, Dishman, Rodney K·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2016

This review of seven studies looked at how a single exercise session affects fatigue in people with ME/CFS. The combined results showed that exercise increased fatigue more in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Importantly, fatigue got worse over time—it was most noticeable 4 or more hours after exercise ended, rather than immediately during or right after the activity stopped.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Neuroimaging of Central Sensitivity Syndromes: Key Insights from the Scientific Literature.

Walitt, Brian, Ceko, Marta, Gracely, John L et al.·Current rheumatology reviews·2016

This review examined brain imaging studies of ME/CFS and similar conditions to understand what happens in the nervous system. Researchers found that people with these conditions show increased sensitivity to pain and other sensations, suggesting these are real physical conditions—not imaginary or feigned. However, brain imaging hasn't yet revealed a single clear pattern or 'fingerprint' that all these conditions share, and we still don't know if this sensory sensitivity causes the disease or is a result of it.

Pain and Sensitization

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

The treatment of fatigue by non-invasive brain stimulation.

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

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

Examining clinical similarities between myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and D-lactic acidosis: a systematic review.

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

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

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

A Role for the Intestinal Microbiota and Virome in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women.

The association between borderline personality disorder, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: systematic review.

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

The differential diagnosis of tiredness: a systematic review.

Yoga intervention and functional pain syndromes: a selective review.

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

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome - an update.

Distress in significant others of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review of the literature.

Effect of Acute Exercise on Fatigue in People with ME/CFS/SEID: A Meta-analysis.

Neuroimaging of Central Sensitivity Syndromes: Key Insights from the Scientific Literature.

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