ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

41–60 of 742 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population- The need for caution and objective assessment.

Faghy, Mark A, Duncan, Rae, Hume, Emily et al.·Progress in cardiovascular diseases·2024

Long Covid affects millions of people worldwide with over 200 recognized symptoms that severely impact daily life. A key feature is post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a condition where symptoms dramatically worsen 24-72 hours after physical, mental, or emotional activity, sometimes lasting weeks. This review examines how to safely design rehabilitation programs for Long Covid patients while using objective monitoring tools to track how individuals respond to different activities and prevent symptom flare-ups.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Markwart, Michaela, Felsenstein, Donna, Mehta, Darshan H et al.·Global advances in integrative medicine and health·2024

This review looked at studies testing whether Qigong (a gentle Chinese exercise practice) might help people with ME/CFS. Researchers found 5 good-quality studies with a total of 481 people. The results suggest Qigong may help reduce symptom severity and improve both physical and emotional well-being, though more research is needed to be sure. Currently, there are no similar high-quality studies on Tai Chi for ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

[Interdisciplinary, collaborative D-A-CH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) consensus statement concerning the diagnostic and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome].

Hoffmann, Kathryn, Hainzl, Astrid, Stingl, Michael et al.·Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·2024

This is a clinical guidance document created by doctors and experts from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to help diagnose and treat ME/CFS. The document emphasizes that ME/CFS is a serious, long-term illness affecting multiple body systems, and highlights post-exertional malaise (PEM)—where symptoms worsen after physical or mental effort—as the key symptom to recognize. The guide provides doctors with practical tools like questionnaires and examination methods to accurately diagnose ME/CFS, and describes two main treatment approaches: pacing (carefully managing activity levels) and symptom relief.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Does the effect of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) vary by patient characteristics? A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Kuut, T A, Buffart, L M, Braamse, A M J et al.·Psychological medicine·2024

This study combined data from 8 clinical trials involving 1,298 people with ME/CFS to see whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) works and who benefits most from it. Researchers found that CBT did help reduce fatigue, improve daily functioning, and increase physical activity—but the amount of benefit varied depending on patient characteristics like age, how much disability someone had, and their activity patterns. Younger patients, those with less severe disability at the start, and those with fluctuating activity patterns saw the most improvement.

Severe MEPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses.

Apostolou, Eirini, Rosén, Anders·Journal of internal medicine·2024

This review examines how viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus, may cause lasting changes to how our cells work in ME/CFS patients. The authors found that in about 70% of ME/CFS cases, the illness begins after a viral infection, and viruses can hide in the body while triggering long-term problems with energy, thinking, and immune function. Understanding these viral-triggered changes could help explain why different patients experience ME/CFS differently and may lead to better treatments.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.

Boruch, Alex, Branchaw, Grace, O'Connor, Patrick J et al.·Current topics in behavioral neurosciences·2024

This review examined how physical activity affects fatigue in people with ME/CFS and similar long-term illnesses, compared to healthy people. In healthy adults, exercise usually makes people feel more energized, but in people with ME/CFS and related conditions, exercise often makes fatigue worse. Short-term exercise programs show small improvements in fatigue for healthy people, but little to no improvement for those with these chronic illnesses.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Long COVID: Long-Term Impact of SARS-CoV2.

Makhluf, Huda, Madany, Henry, Kim, Kenneth·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2024

Long COVID is a condition affecting millions of people worldwide who continue to experience health problems months or years after a SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review article examines what we know about Long COVID symptoms—including severe tiredness, difficulty thinking clearly, heart problems, and sleep issues—and explains current theories about why these symptoms develop. The authors also summarize available treatments and clinical trials testing new approaches to help people recover.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Long COVID: lights and shadows on the clinical characterization of this emerging pathology.

Cogliandro, Viola, Bonfanti, Paolo·The new microbiologica·2024

This review examined Long COVID, a condition affecting 10-20% of people who had COVID-19 infection. Long COVID causes multiple symptoms across different body systems that significantly reduce quality of life. The review highlights that some Long COVID patients develop conditions like POTS (a heart rhythm problem when standing), ME/CFS (severe fatigue and post-exertional symptoms), and brain fog, and summarizes what treatments might help.

Long COVID OverlapPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

A review of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for characterizing Long COVID (LC)-merits, gaps, and recommendations.

Ejalonibu, Hammed, Amah, Adelaide, Aburub, Alaa et al.·Journal of patient-reported outcomes·2024

This study reviewed existing questionnaires and measurement tools that patients can use to report their Long COVID symptoms and how the illness affects their daily life. The researchers found that a combination of specific, validated questionnaires—particularly the Post-COVID Functional Status Scale paired with tools measuring fatigue, thinking problems, mood, headaches, sleep, and post-exertional malaise—work best for capturing the full range of Long COVID effects.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Excess risks of long COVID symptoms compared with identical symptoms in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with control groups.

Xu, Zijun, Wang, Wenyue, Zhang, Dexing et al.·Journal of global health·2024

This study examined whether people who had COVID-19 experience certain long-lasting symptoms more often than people who never had COVID-19. Researchers combined results from 51 studies involving millions of people and found that COVID-19 survivors had about twice the risk of developing long COVID symptoms. The most striking findings were for loss of smell and taste, followed by post-exertional malaise (feeling worse after activity), shortness of breath, brain fog, and fatigue.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.

Möller, Marika, Borg, Kristian, Janson, Christer et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2023

Many people experience brain fog and memory problems long after COVID-19 infection, affecting thinking, attention, and processing speed. This review found that 17–28% of people have these cognitive problems more than 3 months after infection, and some experience them for years. Treatment approaches include cognitive training, memory aids, lifestyle adjustments, and education about managing these symptoms.

NeuroinflammationPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Fatigue in Adults: Evaluation and Management.

Latimer, Kelly M, Gunther, Althea, Kopec, Michael·American family physician·2023

Fatigue is a very common reason people visit their doctors, and it can significantly impact daily life and work safety. This guideline explains that fatigue can come from different causes—normal tiredness that improves with rest and better habits, fatigue from other medical conditions, or chronic fatigue like ME/CFS. ME/CFS is a serious, long-lasting illness with no proven cure that causes a symptom called postexertional malaise, where activity makes symptoms worse, so patients need to carefully manage their energy levels.

Long COVID OverlapPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and comparison of pathogenesis.

Bai, Natalie A, Richardson, Christie S·Chronic diseases and translational medicine·2023

This review examined 18 studies comparing two similar chronic illnesses: posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which affects about 10% of Lyme disease patients even after antibiotic treatment, and ME/CFS. Both conditions cause severe fatigue, cognitive problems, pain, and sleep issues that last for months or years. The researchers found that patients with PTLDS experience many of the same symptoms as ME/CFS patients, suggesting these different illnesses may develop through similar biological pathways in the body.

Severe MEPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Diagnosis and Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Grach, Stephanie L, Seltzer, Jaime, Chon, Tony Y et al.·Mayo Clinic proceedings·2023

This review explains how doctors can diagnose and manage ME/CFS, a serious illness that causes extreme tiredness and other symptoms, often starting after an infection. The authors note that ME/CFS shares many similarities with long COVID, the condition some people experience after having COVID-19. They provide practical guidance to help healthcare providers recognize and treat this condition.

Long COVID OverlapPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

Kornder, Nele, Baum, Erika, Maisel, Peter et al.·ZFA. Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmedizin·2023

This guideline helps family doctors diagnose and treat fatigue by providing a systematic approach. When fatigue has no clear cause, doctors should ask about sleep, mood, medications, and life stressors, and perform basic blood tests. The guideline emphasizes that fatigue often has multiple causes working together, and recommends checking specifically for post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a key feature of ME/CFS—so patients can receive appropriate specialized care.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

Joseph, Phillip, Singh, Inderjit, Oliveira, Rudolf et al.·Chest·2023

This review compares how the body responds to exercise in people with long COVID (PASC) and ME/CFS, two conditions that share similar symptoms like extreme tiredness and worsening symptoms after activity. Researchers found that both conditions show similar abnormalities in heart function, blood flow, and breathing during exercise that go beyond simple deconditioning or being out of shape. These shared patterns suggest both conditions may involve similar underlying biological problems, which could help doctors develop better tests and treatments.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

A scoping review of 'Pacing' for management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): lessons learned for the long COVID pandemic.

Sanal-Hayes, Nilihan E M, Mclaughlin, Marie, Hayes, Lawrence D et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2023

This review looked at 17 studies about 'pacing'—a strategy where people with ME/CFS carefully manage their activity level to avoid making symptoms worse. The researchers found that studies on pacing had very different designs and results: some showed pacing helped, some showed no benefit, and a few suggested it could be harmful. The evidence so far isn't strong enough to confidently say whether pacing works best for everyone.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Pathogenic mechanisms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

Sherif, Zaki A, Gomez, Christian R, Connors, Thomas J et al.·eLife·2023

This review examines how COVID-19 can lead to Long COVID, a condition where people experience ongoing fatigue, difficulty with exercise, and brain fog that can last months or years. The researchers explored multiple possible explanations for why this happens, including lingering virus in the body, problems with blood clotting, nerve signaling problems, immune system dysfunction, and reactivation of old viruses like Epstein-Barr. Since Long COVID affects different people in different ways, the authors suggest that different patients may need different treatments.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredEditorial

The Draft Report by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare Does Not Provide Any Evidence That Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Are Safe and Effective Treatments for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study examined whether a German health institute's recommendation for graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat ME/CFS was supported by good evidence. The researchers found serious problems with the studies being used to make this recommendation, including weak study designs, reliance on patient reports rather than objective measurements, and inclusion of people who may not have had ME/CFS. They concluded these treatments should not be recommended based on the available evidence.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Exercise Training in Non-Hospitalized Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome-A Narrative Review.

Sick, Johanna, König, Daniel·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This review looked at seven studies involving 935 people with long-COVID symptoms who were not hospitalized during their initial infection. The studies found that exercise programs improved fitness, physical function, and reduced symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and depression. The exercise was generally well-tolerated, but the authors urge caution for people with post-exertional malaise or ME/CFS, since these conditions may respond differently to exercise.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population- The need for caution and objective assessment.

Qigong and Tai Chi for ME/CFS: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

[Interdisciplinary, collaborative D-A-CH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) consensus statement concerning the diagnostic and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome].

Does the effect of cognitive behavior therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) vary by patient characteristics? A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Epigenetic reprograming in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A narrative of latent viruses.

Physical Activity and Fatigue Symptoms: Neurotypical Adults and People with Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses.

Long COVID: Long-Term Impact of SARS-CoV2.

Long COVID: lights and shadows on the clinical characterization of this emerging pathology.

A review of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) for characterizing Long COVID (LC)-merits, gaps, and recommendations.

Excess risks of long COVID symptoms compared with identical symptoms in the general population: A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies with control groups.

Cognitive dysfunction in post-COVID-19 condition: Mechanisms, management, and rehabilitation.

Fatigue in Adults: Evaluation and Management.

Posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and comparison of pathogenesis.

Diagnosis and Management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

[Tiredness/Fatigue-S3 guideline update].

Exercise Pathophysiology in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: More in Common Than Not?

A scoping review of 'Pacing' for management of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): lessons learned for the long COVID pandemic.

Pathogenic mechanisms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC).

The Draft Report by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare Does Not Provide Any Evidence That Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Are Safe and Effective Treatments for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Exercise Training in Non-Hospitalized Patients with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome-A Narrative Review.

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