ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4361–4380 of 6,188 studies

Is Cognitive Change Necessary to Alleviate Symptoms in Patients With Functional Somatic Syndrome?

Maroti, Daniel, Johansson, Robert·Frontiers in psychiatry·2021

This study examined whether changing how patients think about their symptoms (cognitive change) is necessary to improve symptoms in people with functional somatic syndromes like ME/CFS. The researchers explored the relationship between psychological thinking patterns and symptom improvement to understand better which approaches might help patients feel better.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Does muscular or mental fatigue have an influence on the nociceptive flexion reflex? A randomized cross-over study in healthy people.

Dhondt, Evy, Danneels, Lieven, Rijckaert, Johan et al.·European journal of pain (London, England)·2021

This study tested whether being physically or mentally tired changes how the body's spinal cord responds to pain signals. Researchers measured a reflex that happens in the spinal cord when stimulated with electrical pulses to a nerve in the leg, both before and after participants either rested, did tiring leg exercises, or completed a difficult mental task. They found that low-to-moderate levels of fatigue—whether physical or mental—did not change this spinal reflex, suggesting the body's pain-dampening systems stay stable even when tired.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Radiation exposure and mitochondrial insufficiency in chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome.

Rusin, Andrej, Li, Megan, Cocchetto, Alan et al.·Medical hypotheses·2021

This paper explores the idea that ME/CFS may be caused by damage to mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells—possibly triggered by radiation exposure or other environmental stressors like viruses or toxins. When mitochondria cannot produce enough energy, cells throughout the body struggle, and neighboring tissues try to compensate, which may explain why ME/CFS patients experience widespread symptoms like fatigue and immune problems.

Biomarkers

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome and the cardiovascular system: What is known?

Dixit, Neal M, Churchill, Austin, Nsair, Ali et al.·American heart journal plus : cardiology research and practice·2021

Some people who have had COVID-19 develop long-lasting symptoms weeks or months later, including chest pain and heart palpitations (feeling your heart racing). This review examines what we know about how COVID-19 affects the heart during this long-COVID period. While the virus itself rarely causes direct heart damage, it can trigger several heart-related conditions that may explain why patients experience these symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Split-Second Unlearning: Developing a Theory of Psychophysiological Dis-ease.

Hudson, Matt, Johnson, Mark I·Frontiers in psychology·2021

This study proposes that early emotional experiences—both traumatic and everyday—can create lasting patterns in how our bodies respond to stress. When we encounter triggers related to those memories, our body automatically activates a stress response even if the threat is no longer present. The researchers describe a new therapy approach where patients learn to observe their own automatic responses in the moment and gradually 'unlearn' the connection between the memory and the physical stress reaction.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is the worst yet to come?

Wostyn, Peter·Medical hypotheses·2021

This paper proposes a theory about why some people develop prolonged fatigue after COVID-19 that resembles ME/CFS. The author suggests that COVID-19 may damage nerve cells in the nose, which could reduce the brain's ability to clear out waste products, leading to toxic buildup and fatigue. The paper calls for research to test whether treatments that help drain fluid from around the brain might help patients with post-COVID fatigue.

Neuroinflammation

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview.

Deumer, Undine-Sophie, Varesi, Angelica, Floris, Valentina et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

ME/CFS is a long-term illness that causes extreme tiredness, worsening of symptoms after activity, and difficulty thinking clearly. Patients experience these symptoms very differently from one another, and currently there are no blood tests or physical exams that can definitively diagnose the condition. This review examines several potential causes, including past infections, genetic factors, hormone imbalances, and changes in gut bacteria, while exploring whether a simple blood test might someday help diagnose ME/CFS.

BiomarkersPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

COVID-19 and post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a narrative review.

Poenaru, Sonia, Abdallah, Sara J, Corrales-Medina, Vicente et al.·Therapeutic advances in infectious disease·2021

Some people who recover from COVID-19 continue experiencing prolonged symptoms like fatigue, difficulty breathing, and brain fog for months afterward. These lingering symptoms are remarkably similar to ME/CFS, a chronic illness characterized by severe fatigue that worsens with activity. While COVID-19 could potentially trigger ME/CFS in some people, researchers currently don't have enough evidence to confirm this connection.

Severe MEPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Role of mitochondria, oxidative stress and the response to antioxidants in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A possible approach to SARS-CoV-2 'long-haulers'?

Wood, Emily, Hall, Katherine H, Tate, Warren·Chronic diseases and translational medicine·2021

This study reviews research on how mitochondria (the energy-producing centers in our cells) and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) may contribute to ME/CFS and long COVID symptoms. The authors examine whether antioxidant treatments could help restore energy production and reduce fatigue in these conditions. They highlight that many COVID-19 long-haulers develop symptoms that look very similar to ME/CFS, suggesting they may share underlying biological causes.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Postdengue chronic fatigue syndrome in an adolescent boy.

Thadchanamoorthy, Vijayakumary, Dayasiri, Kavinda·BMJ case reports·2021

This case report describes an 11-year-old boy who developed ME/CFS symptoms after recovering from dengue hemorrhagic fever. Three weeks after initially feeling better, he experienced severe joint pain, muscle aches, and headaches that persisted for at least a year despite physiotherapy and nutrition support. This case adds to growing evidence that ME/CFS can develop following viral infections, even in young people.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Adolescent and Young Adult ME/CFS After Confirmed or Probable COVID-19.

Petracek, Lindsay S, Suskauer, Stacy J, Vickers, Rebecca F et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study describes three teenagers and young adults who developed ME/CFS after having COVID-19. All three patients experienced symptoms like dizziness when standing up early in their illness, and by 6 months, all met the clinical criteria for ME/CFS. The researchers noticed several patterns across these patients, including allergies, elevated histamine levels, reduced flexibility, and unusual nerve reflexes—findings that may help identify and treat ME/CFS after COVID-19.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

Reversible widespread brain 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Mairal, E, Barberon, B, Laine, N et al.·European journal of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging·2021

This study used brain imaging scans (PET scans) to measure how much energy the brain was using in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients had abnormally low brain energy use across large areas of the brain. Notably, after patients received hyperbaric oxygen therapy (breathing oxygen in a pressurized chamber), the brain scans improved and showed more normal energy levels, suggesting the brain changes may be reversible.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Bone Marrow Defects of the Jaw - A Case Report on Additional Dental X-Ray Diagnostics with Ultrasound.

Lechner, Johann, Schick, Fabian·International medical case reports journal·2021

This case report describes a young man with ME/CFS who had headaches and tinnitus but no visible bone problems on standard X-rays. When doctors used ultrasound imaging, they found a suspicious area in his lower jawbone. Surgery revealed a fungal infection (aspergillosis) and inflamed tissue that standard X-rays had missed. This suggests that ultrasound might be a better tool for detecting hidden bone and jaw problems in some ME/CFS patients.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclear

ME/CFS: Past, Present and Future.

Weir, William, Speight, Nigel·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This article reviews the history and current understanding of ME/CFS, arguing that the condition has a biological basis rather than being primarily psychological. The authors emphasize that scientific research, not psychological theories, is the path forward for properly understanding and treating ME/CFS. They highlight how patients have suffered from misunderstandings about their condition's cause.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryPEM unclear

How do women suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity experience the medical encounter? a qualitative study in Spain.

Briones-Vozmediano, Erica, Espinar-Ruiz, Eva·Disability and rehabilitation·2021

This study interviewed 22 Spanish women with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) to understand their experiences with doctors and the healthcare system. The women reported two major problems: they cannot avoid exposure to chemicals in their environment, and they struggle to find effective treatment. Many also felt that healthcare providers didn't believe their illness was real or took their symptoms seriously.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Young and exhausted.

Oleksak, Filip, Durdik, Peter, Jakusova, Lubica et al.·Advances in respiratory medicine·2021

This case report describes a young patient who was diagnosed with ME/CFS (extreme exhaustion lasting at least six months) but actually had a different, treatable heart and lung condition. The doctors used a special exercise test called cardiopulmonary exercise testing to discover the real cause. This story reminds us that it's important to carefully check for other medical conditions before diagnosing someone with ME/CFS, especially in children and young people.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not required

Elements of Suffering in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Experience of Loss, Grief, Stigma, and Trauma in the Severely and Very Severely Affected.

Fennell, Patricia A, Dorr, Nancy, George, Shane S·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This review article explores the deep suffering experienced by people with severe ME/CFS, looking at how losses, grief, stigma, and trauma from healthcare interactions affect their lives. The authors use a framework called the Fennell Four-Phase Model to help explain how chronic illness affects patients over time. The study emphasizes that healthcare providers need to understand and acknowledge the intense struggles that severely affected patients endure.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearObservational

Experiences of Living with Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Strassheim, Victoria, Newton, Julia L, Collins, Tracy·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This study listened to five people living with the most severe form of ME/CFS—those who are bedbound, housebound, or wheelchair-dependent—to understand what their daily lives are really like. By interviewing them and analyzing their stories, researchers found three main themes: how they experience living with the illness, the major challenges it creates, and how they try to manage their condition. This research helps doctors and scientists better understand the needs of the most severely affected patients.

Severe ME

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present.

Straub, Rachel K, Powers, Christopher M·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This study follows one patient's journey with severe ME/CFS, examining how past infections and health conditions may have contributed to her illness and how various treatments affected her recovery. The case highlights that some treatments can paradoxically make symptoms worse before improvement occurs, especially if someone has high levels of lingering infections. The patient eventually improved enough to return to graduate school, though her experience also shows how serious and disabling ME/CFS can be for some people.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Altered endothelial dysfunction-related miRs in plasma from ME/CFS patients.

Blauensteiner, J, Bertinat, R, León, L E et al.·Scientific reports·2021

This study looked at tiny molecules called microRNAs in the blood of ME/CFS patients to understand what might be going wrong with their blood vessels. The researchers found that five specific microRNAs were higher in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people, and these molecules are known to affect how blood vessels function. This discovery suggests that blood vessel problems might be part of what causes ME/CFS symptoms.

BiomarkersImmune System

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Is Cognitive Change Necessary to Alleviate Symptoms in Patients With Functional Somatic Syndrome?

Does muscular or mental fatigue have an influence on the nociceptive flexion reflex? A randomized cross-over study in healthy people.

Radiation exposure and mitochondrial insufficiency in chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome.

Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome and the cardiovascular system: What is known?

Split-Second Unlearning: Developing a Theory of Psychophysiological Dis-ease.

COVID-19 and chronic fatigue syndrome: Is the worst yet to come?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): An Overview.

COVID-19 and post-infectious myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a narrative review.

Role of mitochondria, oxidative stress and the response to antioxidants in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: A possible approach to SARS-CoV-2 'long-haulers'?

Postdengue chronic fatigue syndrome in an adolescent boy.

Adolescent and Young Adult ME/CFS After Confirmed or Probable COVID-19.

Reversible widespread brain 18F-FDG PET hypometabolism in chronic fatigue syndrome treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Bone Marrow Defects of the Jaw - A Case Report on Additional Dental X-Ray Diagnostics with Ultrasound.

ME/CFS: Past, Present and Future.

How do women suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity experience the medical encounter? a qualitative study in Spain.

Young and exhausted.

Elements of Suffering in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Experience of Loss, Grief, Stigma, and Trauma in the Severely and Very Severely Affected.

Experiences of Living with Severe Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosing and Treatment Challenges and the Possibility of Jarisch-Herxheimer Reactions If High Infectious Loads Are Present.

Altered endothelial dysfunction-related miRs in plasma from ME/CFS patients.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research