ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3821–3840 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Beneficial effects of intermittent intravenous saline infusion in dysautonomic patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a case-series.

Sjögren, Per, Huhmar, Helena, Bertilson, Bo C et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2025

This small study tested whether giving patients with ME/CFS regular salt water infusions through an IV could help with symptoms like dizziness and rapid heartbeat when standing up. Twenty-two patients received these infusions every three weeks for 9 weeks, and most reported feeling better, with improvements in symptom scores, quality of life, and ability to work. While the results were encouraging, this was a preliminary study without a control group, so more research is needed to confirm whether this treatment actually works.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Retracted: Chronic Epipharyngitis Treated with Epipharyngeal Abrasion Therapy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment Outcomes.

Harabuchi, Yasuaki, Kumai, Takumi, Nishi, Kensuke et al.·JMA journal·2025

This article discusses chronic epipharyngitis—long-term inflammation in the upper throat—and describes a treatment called epipharyngeal abrasion therapy (EAT) that aims to reduce this inflammation. The authors note that this throat inflammation may cause various symptoms including fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, and cough, and they review evidence that EAT might help some patients, including those with long COVID. However, this paper has been retracted and should not be relied upon for clinical decisions.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Wearable Devices Enable Long COVID Patients to Decrease Symptom Severity: A Case Series From Pilot User Testing.

Goosen, Andrea, Foster-Bonds, Romina, Vogel, Julia Moore·Cardiopulmonary physical therapy journal·2025

This small study looked at whether fitness trackers (Garmin watches) could help Long COVID patients manage their symptoms through pacing—carefully controlling activity levels to avoid overexertion. Eleven patients received a tracker, educational materials about pacing, and were asked about their experience. Most participants found the information helpful for managing their symptoms, and none had difficulty using the device, even those who had never used a wearable before.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

Cognitive behavioural therapy for severe fatigue following COVID-19 in adolescents: a serial single-case observational study of five consecutively referred patients.

Kuut, Tanja A, Müller, Fabiola, Braamse, Annemarie M J et al.·Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy·2025

This study tested whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy that helps people change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors—could help teenagers with severe fatigue after COVID-19. Five teenagers received CBT over 12 weeks. By the end, all five were no longer severely fatigued, most felt less physically limited, and all were able to return to school without absences.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Skeletal muscle adaptations and post-exertional malaise in long COVID.

Charlton, Braeden T, Goulding, Richie P, Jaspers, Richard T et al.·Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM·2025

This article reviews evidence that long COVID symptoms—especially worsening after activity (post-exertional malaise)—may be caused by problems with how muscles produce energy, damage to blood vessel function, and changes in muscle fiber types that make them rely more on less-efficient energy pathways. The authors suggest that physical or mental exertion may trigger rapid muscle damage and immune cell infiltration, which could explain why patients feel worse after activity.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Long Covid in Year 5: Some Progress, Still Many Questions.

Meagher, Timothy·Journal of insurance medicine (New York, N.Y.)·2025

Five years after Long Covid was first recognized in 2020, researchers have made progress understanding the condition, but significant challenges remain. While most people's symptoms improve over time, scientists still haven't found reliable blood tests to diagnose it or effective treatments. Long Covid appears to share many similarities with ME/CFS, and the condition can develop or worsen after repeated COVID-19 infections.

Long COVID Overlap

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

MyGuide long COVID: An online self-management tool for people with long COVID.

Naik, Hiten, Pongratz, Kyla, Malbeuf, Michelle et al.·Internet interventions·2025

Researchers created MyGuide Long COVID, a free website where people with long COVID answer questions about their symptoms and receive personalized information and self-management tips. The website launched in August 2023 and attracted nearly 8,600 users in its first year, with the most popular topics being post-exertional malaise (worsening symptoms after activity) and general information about long COVID. This shows that a patient-centered online tool developed together with both doctors and people living with long COVID can successfully help patients manage their condition.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredObservational

Cytokine profiles associated with persisting symptoms of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

Kwon, Ji-Soo, Chang, Euijin, Jang, Hyeon Mu et al.·The Korean journal of internal medicine·2025

After COVID-19, some people develop long-lasting symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty exercising—a condition called long COVID or PASC. This study measured immune system markers (called cytokines) in the blood of 79 people and found that certain symptoms were linked to higher levels of specific immune proteins, suggesting the immune system may stay overactive in some long COVID patients.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

PKM2 accelerated the progression of chronic fatigue syndrome via promoting the H4K12la/ NF-κB induced neuroinflammation and mitochondrial damage.

Sun, Meng, Zhang, Xinwen, Feng, Xinli et al.·Scientific reports·2025

This study in mice explored how a protein called PKM2 may contribute to ME/CFS by increasing inflammation in the brain and damaging energy-producing structures inside cells (mitochondria). Researchers found that when PKM2 levels increased, cognitive problems worsened and brain cells showed more damage, while reducing PKM2 improved these outcomes. The mechanism involves lactate buildup and activation of inflammatory pathways in the brain.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Anti-central fatigue effects of myelophil in 5-HTergic hyperactivity mice model.

Kang, Ji-Yun, Baek, Dong-Cheol, Lee, Jin-Seok et al.·BMC complementary medicine and therapies·2025

This study tested a herbal supplement called Myelophil (made from two traditional Korean medicinal plants) in mice that had high serotonin levels—a condition researchers believe may contribute to ME/CFS fatigue. Mice given Myelophil showed improvements in fatigue-related behaviors and pain sensitivity compared to untreated mice. The results suggest this supplement may help by adjusting how the brain handles serotonin.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Post infectious fatigue and circadian rhythm disruption in long-COVID and other infections: a need for further research.

Livieratos, Achilleas, Lockley, Steven W, Tsiodras, Sotirios·EClinicalMedicine·2025

This article discusses how infections like COVID-19 can disrupt the body's internal 24-hour clock, leading to persistent fatigue and sleep problems. The authors explain that viral infections may damage the genes and cellular machinery that control our daily rhythms, trigger inflammation in the brain, and harm energy-producing structures in our cells. Understanding these mechanisms could help doctors develop better treatments for Long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Real-Time Measurement of Mitochondrial Function and Glycolysis in Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines.

Katsaros, Tina, Missailidis, Daniel, Annesley, Sarah J·Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

This study describes a new method to measure how cells make energy in people with ME/CFS. Researchers use a special machine to track two main energy-production pathways in cells: one that happens quickly (glycolysis) and one that happens in the cell's energy factories called mitochondria. By measuring how much oxygen cells use and the acids they produce, scientists can see if these energy pathways are working differently in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Effects of recumbent isometric yoga on the orthostatic cardiovascular response of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Oka, Takakazu, Lkhagvasuren, Battuvshin·BioPsychoSocial medicine·2025

This small study looked at whether a gentle yoga practice done while lying down could help ME/CFS patients who experience dizziness or fast heartbeats when standing up (a condition called POTS). Ten women with ME/CFS practiced this special yoga for 12 weeks, and the researchers measured their blood pressure and heart rate before and after standing. The two patients who had POTS at the start showed improvement and had normal responses after the yoga practice.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Chronic Fatigue in Cancer Survivorship: Psychiatry Versus Oncology or Psychiatry with Oncology?

Kafetzopoulos, Vasilios, Pittaka, Maria, Ioannidis, Georgios et al.·Current oncology reports·2025

This review examines fatigue in breast cancer survivors and how it's treated. The authors found that non-drug treatments like exercise, talk therapy, and mindfulness work best for cancer-related fatigue. They point out that cancer doctors and psychiatrists approach fatigue differently, and suggest that a combined team approach—mixing cancer care with mental health support—would help patients most.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

A Case of Psoriasis Concurrently Complicated by Sacroiliitis and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Iijima, Mami, Miyagaki, Tomomitsu, Nakajima, Kaori et al.·Cureus·2025

This case report describes one patient who developed psoriasis (a skin condition), sacroiliitis (inflammation of joints in the lower back), and ME/CFS all around the same time. The researchers reviewed what is known about how these three conditions might be connected through shared immune system problems. The study suggests that people with psoriasis may be at higher risk of developing ME/CFS, possibly because both conditions involve similar types of inflammatory immune responses.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM requiredMethods-Paper

Stress-Induced Changes in Immune Signatures in ME/CFS Patients Determined by Transcriptome Analysis.

Gamer, Jackson, Van Booven, Derek, Zarnowski, Oskar et al.·Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)·2025

Researchers studied how the immune system of ME/CFS patients responds to exercise by examining blood cells before, during, and after a physical challenge. They compared these responses in ME/CFS patients to healthy people using advanced genetic testing. This study is part of ongoing efforts to understand what makes ME/CFS different at a biological level and why exercise can make symptoms worse.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Advocating the role of trained immunity in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS: a mini review.

Humer, Bart, Dik, Willem A, Versnel, Marjan A·Frontiers in immunology·2025

This review explores how a single severe infection might trigger long-term changes in the immune system that could lead to ME/CFS. After infection, immune cells can become 'trained' to overreact to future triggers, potentially causing the chronic symptoms patients experience. The researchers suggest this overactive immune response might explain why about 60% of ME/CFS patients remember getting sick before their symptoms started.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Extracellular vesicle proteomics uncovers energy metabolism, complement system, and endoplasmic reticulum stress response dysregulation postexercise in males with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Glass, Katherine A, Giloteaux, Ludovic, Zhang, Sheng et al.·Clinical and translational medicine·2025

Researchers studied tiny particles called extracellular vesicles in the blood of ME/CFS patients before and after exercise. They found that in people with ME/CFS, these particles show signs of energy problems, immune overactivity, and cellular stress after exertion—changes that were linked to post-exertional malaise (the worsening of symptoms after activity). These findings suggest new targets for treatment that could help improve recovery and energy in ME/CFS.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

HERV Dysregulation in a Case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis Responsive to Rituximab.

Martín-Martínez, Eva, Gil-Perotin, Sara, Giménez-Orenga, Karen et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2025

This study describes one patient who had ME/CFS and was later diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Doctors discovered that his blood had unusual patterns of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)—ancient viral-like sequences in our DNA that can sometimes affect immune function. Importantly, this patient improved significantly after receiving rituximab, a treatment that modifies the immune system, even though standard treatments had not worked for him.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cerebral Blood Flow in Orthostatic Intolerance.

Khan, Muhammad Shahzeb, Miller, Amanda J, Ejaz, Arooba et al.·Journal of the American Heart Association·2025

When you stand up, your body normally adjusts blood flow to keep your brain supplied with oxygen. Some people have problems with this adjustment, causing dizziness, fatigue, or fainting—a condition called orthostatic intolerance. This review explains that many ME/CFS and long COVID patients have reduced blood flow to the brain when standing, even though their heart rate and blood pressure look normal on standard tests. The authors review different tools doctors can use to actually measure brain blood flow, rather than just relying on heart rate and blood pressure readings.

Autonomic Nervous System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Beneficial effects of intermittent intravenous saline infusion in dysautonomic patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a case-series.

Retracted: Chronic Epipharyngitis Treated with Epipharyngeal Abrasion Therapy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Treatment Outcomes.

Wearable Devices Enable Long COVID Patients to Decrease Symptom Severity: A Case Series From Pilot User Testing.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for severe fatigue following COVID-19 in adolescents: a serial single-case observational study of five consecutively referred patients.

Skeletal muscle adaptations and post-exertional malaise in long COVID.

Long Covid in Year 5: Some Progress, Still Many Questions.

MyGuide long COVID: An online self-management tool for people with long COVID.

Cytokine profiles associated with persisting symptoms of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

PKM2 accelerated the progression of chronic fatigue syndrome via promoting the H4K12la/ NF-κB induced neuroinflammation and mitochondrial damage.

Anti-central fatigue effects of myelophil in 5-HTergic hyperactivity mice model.

Post infectious fatigue and circadian rhythm disruption in long-COVID and other infections: a need for further research.

Real-Time Measurement of Mitochondrial Function and Glycolysis in Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines.

Effects of recumbent isometric yoga on the orthostatic cardiovascular response of patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue in Cancer Survivorship: Psychiatry Versus Oncology or Psychiatry with Oncology?

A Case of Psoriasis Concurrently Complicated by Sacroiliitis and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Stress-Induced Changes in Immune Signatures in ME/CFS Patients Determined by Transcriptome Analysis.

Advocating the role of trained immunity in the pathogenesis of ME/CFS: a mini review.

Extracellular vesicle proteomics uncovers energy metabolism, complement system, and endoplasmic reticulum stress response dysregulation postexercise in males with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

HERV Dysregulation in a Case of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Multiple Sclerosis Responsive to Rituximab.

Cerebral Blood Flow in Orthostatic Intolerance.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research