ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

3941–3960 of 6,188 studies

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

"I would love to say it's the fatigue but honestly it's not": Into Adulthood with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Tenhave, A, Bognar, R, Sidis, A·Psychology, health & medicine·2025

This study interviewed 13 young people (ages 16-25) with ME/CFS about what it's like growing up with this illness. The researchers found that participants struggled with three main challenges: gaining independence in ways different from their healthy peers, figuring out who they are when illness changes their plans, and feeling isolated even when around other people. The study suggests that mental health support could help young people with ME/CFS build confidence, explore their identity, and stay psychologically healthy during these critical years.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM unclearMethods-Paper

Intelligent Eye Tracker Integrated with Cylindrical Capacitive Sensors for Chronic Fatigue Assessment.

Li, Tianyi, Park, Seo-Hyun, Lee, Changwoo et al.·Advanced sensor research·2025

Researchers developed a pair of smart glasses that can measure fatigue by tracking how often and how long you blink, without any contact with your eyes. The glasses use specially designed sensors made from carbon nanotubes to detect these eye movements in real-time. In a 15-minute test involving focused tasks and noise exposure, the system was able to distinguish between normal tiredness and chronic fatigue using artificial intelligence.

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 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 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Perspectives of Rehabilitation Professionals on Long COVID Interventions to Facilitate Return-to-Work.

MacKinnon, Cassandra, Castro-Barquero, Cassandra, Kontis, Alexandra et al.·Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapie·2025

This study asked rehabilitation professionals in Quebec about their experiences helping people with long COVID return to work. The professionals emphasized that education, gradually increasing activity, and self-management are the most helpful approaches, but they noted that returning to work is very difficult without workplace accommodations and proper support for managing post-exertional malaise (when symptoms worsen after activity).

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Pulling Back the Curtains.

The Neuroscientist : a review journal bringing neurobiology, neurology and psychiatry·2025

This is an editorial piece that reviews what we currently know about ME/CFS and calls for better understanding of the condition. The authors argue that ME/CFS is a real biological illness that deserves serious scientific attention. The piece highlights the need to move past outdated thinking and focus on the actual physical mechanisms causing the disease.

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 PreliminaryPEM unclear

Static and Kinetic Disequilibrium are Central Neural Signs in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Therapeutic Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Miwa, Kunihisa·Journal of integrative neuroscience·2025

This study found that nearly half of ME/CFS patients experience balance problems—either when standing still (static disequilibrium) or when walking (kinetic disequilibrium). These balance issues were linked to difficulty standing upright and limitations in daily activities. When researchers used a brain stimulation treatment called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on specific brain regions, most patients' balance problems improved, suggesting the root cause is in the central nervous system rather than the inner ear alone.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Patient experiences of remote consulting with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia: a qualitative study.

Leach, Helen, Eccles, Abi, Chew-Graham, Carolyn A et al.·BJGP open·2025

This study asked 13 people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia about their experiences using phone and video appointments with their doctors during and after 2020. Patients said the most important thing was feeling believed and listened to by their doctor. While remote appointments had some benefits (like being easier when symptoms were bad), many people found it harder to communicate without face-to-face visits, though having a trusted, familiar doctor made a big difference.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Sex differences in vascular endothelial function related to acute and long COVID-19.

Kitselman A, Kayla, Bédard-Matteau, Jérôme, Rousseau, Simon et al.·Vascular pharmacology·2024

This review examines how COVID-19 and long COVID affect blood vessel health differently in men and women. The authors look at how the virus can damage the inner lining of blood vessels, trigger immune problems, and potentially lead to ME/CFS symptoms. They explore whether biological sex differences explain why some people recover while others develop long-term symptoms like fatigue.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Case-Control Study of Individuals With Small Fiber Neuropathy After COVID-19.

McAlpine, Lindsay, Zubair, Adeel S, Joseph, Phillip et al.·Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation·2024

This study looked at 16 patients who developed nerve damage in their small nerves after COVID-19. The researchers found that 92% of these patients also had symptoms of ME/CFS, including post-exertional malaise (feeling much worse after activity). When 9 patients were treated with IVIG (an immune therapy), all of them improved significantly, while only 3 out of 7 untreated patients improved.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Current update on the neurological manifestations of long COVID: more questions than answers.

Stefanou, Maria-Ioanna, Panagiotopoulos, Evangelos, Palaiodimou, Lina et al.·EXCLI journal·2024

This review examines the nerve and brain-related symptoms that can persist after COVID-19 infection, which doctors call long COVID. About one-third of COVID-19 survivors experience lasting neurological problems such as fatigue, brain fog, sleep issues, and problems with smell or taste that can last at least 12 months. The authors discuss what we currently know about why these symptoms happen and what treatments might help.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Effect of Licorice polysaccharides before and after honey-processing on improving chronic fatigue syndrome and its mechanism.

Xia, Wenxin, Wang, Yushu, Tao, Mengxin et al.·International journal of biological macromolecules·2024

This study examined how processing licorice root with honey affects its ability to help with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers found that honey-processed licorice contains higher amounts of certain beneficial components and produced stronger improvements in immune markers (IL-2, IFN-γ, and IgA) compared to raw licorice. The honey processing appears to enhance the plant's natural ability to support the immune system.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

Medical students highlight the importance of medical education, kindness, compassion and belief when learning about patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Muirhead, Nina Louise·The journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh·2024

This article is an editorial discussing what medical students have learned about treating ME/CFS patients effectively. The key message is that doctors need to combine medical knowledge with kindness, compassion, and genuine belief in their patients' experiences. The authors emphasize that how doctors treat ME/CFS patients matters just as much as the medical facts they know.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The interplay between Sars-Cov-2 infection related cardiovascular diseases and depression. Common mechanisms, shared symptoms.

Gonjilashvili, Ana, Tatishvili, Sophio·American heart journal plus : cardiology research and practice·2024

This review examines how COVID-19 can affect both the heart and mental health, and why these problems often occur together. The authors explain that inflammation, unhealthy lifestyle changes, and communication between organs may all play a role. They note that long COVID shares many symptoms with heart and brain problems—like fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, chest pain, and depression—which is why patients need care from multiple medical specialists.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

A Narrative Review on Gut Microbiome Disturbances and Microbial Preparations in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Implications for Long COVID.

Jurek, Joanna Michalina, Castro-Marrero, Jesus·Nutrients·2024

This review examines how changes in gut bacteria may contribute to ME/CFS and long COVID symptoms, and whether taking probiotics or similar microbial preparations might help. The authors looked at existing research to understand the connection between gut health and the brain-immune system, and whether restoring healthy gut bacteria could reduce fatigue, inflammation, and other symptoms in these conditions.

NeuroinflammationImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Patient perspectives of recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: An interpretive description study.

Hasan, Zara, Kuyvenhoven, Cassandra, Chowdhury, Mehreen et al.·Journal of evaluation in clinical practice·2024

This study interviewed 33 ME/CFS patients who reported getting better, including 7 who recovered completely and 26 who improved significantly. Most patients had to figure out their own treatments without much help from doctors, often because they felt dismissed or stigmatized by healthcare providers. Patients who fully recovered most often credited mind-body approaches like meditation or cognitive therapy for their improvement.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Infectious Mononucleosis: An Updated Review.

Leung, Alexander K C, Lam, Joseph M, Barankin, Benjamin·Current pediatric reviews·2024

Infectious mononucleosis is a common viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that mainly affects teenagers and young adults. Most people recover on their own within a few months, though severe fatigue can occur. This review explains the symptoms, how doctors diagnose it, and how to treat it—mainly through rest and avoiding strenuous activity.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A phenomenological study on the lived experience of men with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Snell, Gracie Elizabeth, Seage, Catherine Heidi, Mercer, Jenny·Journal of health psychology·2024

This study interviewed five men with ME/CFS to understand how they experience the illness differently than women might. The men struggled to accept their diagnosis because they felt their symptoms conflicted with what they thought it meant to be male. They also felt that doctors didn't take their ME/CFS seriously, so they looked for support and validation from other people with the condition instead.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Bao Yuan decoction alleviates fatigue by restraining inflammation and oxidative stress via the AMPK/CRY2/PER1 signaling pathway.

Zheng, Yuan, Ren, Xueyang, Qi, Xiaodan et al.·Journal of ethnopharmacology·2024

This study tested a traditional Chinese herbal medicine called Baoyuan Decoction (BYD) to see if it could reduce fatigue in zebrafish models. The researchers found that BYD contains 114 active compounds and appeared to reduce fatigue, inflammation, and oxidative stress by activating specific cellular pathways related to energy metabolism and the body's internal clock.

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"I would love to say it's the fatigue but honestly it's not": Into Adulthood with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Intelligent Eye Tracker Integrated with Cylindrical Capacitive Sensors for Chronic Fatigue Assessment.

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

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

Perspectives of Rehabilitation Professionals on Long COVID Interventions to Facilitate Return-to-Work.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Pulling Back the Curtains.

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

Static and Kinetic Disequilibrium are Central Neural Signs in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Therapeutic Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation.

Patient experiences of remote consulting with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and fibromyalgia: a qualitative study.

Sex differences in vascular endothelial function related to acute and long COVID-19.

Case-Control Study of Individuals With Small Fiber Neuropathy After COVID-19.

Current update on the neurological manifestations of long COVID: more questions than answers.

Effect of Licorice polysaccharides before and after honey-processing on improving chronic fatigue syndrome and its mechanism.

Medical students highlight the importance of medical education, kindness, compassion and belief when learning about patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

The interplay between Sars-Cov-2 infection related cardiovascular diseases and depression. Common mechanisms, shared symptoms.

A Narrative Review on Gut Microbiome Disturbances and Microbial Preparations in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Implications for Long COVID.

Patient perspectives of recovery from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: An interpretive description study.

Infectious Mononucleosis: An Updated Review.

A phenomenological study on the lived experience of men with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Bao Yuan decoction alleviates fatigue by restraining inflammation and oxidative stress via the AMPK/CRY2/PER1 signaling pathway.

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