ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

4381–4400 of 6,188 studies

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 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

Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review.

Ailioaie, Laura Marinela, Litscher, Gerhard·Life (Basel, Switzerland)·2021

This review looked at studies on photobiomodulation (PBM)—a treatment using light to help cells work better—and how it might help athletes recover faster and perform better. The researchers found that in about 25 human studies, PBM appeared helpful for reducing fatigue and supporting recovery, though some studies didn't show clear benefits. The authors suggest that with better devices and clearer protocols, PBM could potentially help people dealing with exhaustion and physical stress.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

A comparison of approaches for combining predictive markers for personalised treatment recommendations.

Pierce, Matthias, Emsley, Richard·Trials·2021

This study compared three statistical methods for using blood test results (biomarkers) to predict which ME/CFS patients would benefit most from rehabilitation treatment. The researchers tested these methods using computer simulations and real data from a rehabilitation trial, to figure out the best way to combine multiple biomarkers to personalize treatment recommendations for individual patients.

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Qualitative study of the acceptability and feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clery, Philippa, Starbuck, Jennifer, Laffan, Amanda et al.·BMJ paediatrics open·2021

This study asked teenagers with ME/CFS who weren't getting better, along with their parents and doctors, what they thought about a therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Everyone interviewed thought ACT sounded like a good option because it helps people focus on what matters to them while accepting difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to fight them. Most teenagers were willing to try ACT, though they worried about being randomly assigned to different treatment groups in a future study.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Modulatory effects of cognitive exertion on regional functional connectivity of the salience network in women with ME/CFS: A pilot study.

Manca, Riccardo, Khan, Katija, Mitolo, Micaela et al.·Journal of the neurological sciences·2021

This study looked at how the brain responds to mental effort in women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women. Researchers used brain imaging to examine specific networks involved in attention and awareness before and after a cognitive task. Women with ME/CFS experienced increased fatigue and pain after the mental exertion, while a particular brain region (the insula) showed stronger connections to areas controlling reward and decision-making—changes that matched worsening symptoms.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Discernment of mediator and outcome measurement in the PACE trial.

Carr, Ewan, Vitoratou, Silia, Chalder, Trudie et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

Researchers wanted to check whether different questionnaires used in ME/CFS studies were actually measuring different things. They looked at data from 640 people in a large treatment trial and used statistical methods to see if the questions meant to measure thinking/behavior problems overlapped too much with questions measuring physical function and fatigue. They found that most of the questionnaires were measuring distinct concepts, which means the study design was solid.

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 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 unclearCross-Sectional

"it's a medical condition … you need to support as much as possible": a qualitative analysis of teachers' experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

Brigden, Amberly, Shaw, Alison, Crawley, Esther·BMC pediatrics·2021

This study asked 11 primary school teachers about their experiences supporting children aged 5-11 with ME/CFS in the classroom. Teachers described seeing significant fatigue and thinking problems in their students, along with variable symptoms like pain, headaches, and sensitivity to light or sound. Most teachers wanted to help and used practical strategies like rest breaks and modified activities, but said they needed more training and resources to understand ME/CFS better.

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

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 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Pathophysiology of skeletal muscle disturbances in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Wirth, Klaus J, Scheibenbogen, Carmen·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This study proposes that ME/CFS may be caused by a problem with how the body's nervous system controls blood vessels and muscle function. The researchers suggest that faulty beta-2 receptors (proteins that normally help regulate these systems) lead to poor blood flow in muscles, buildup of harmful substances, and damage to the energy-producing structures inside muscle cells. This creates a harmful cycle where even small amounts of activity can trigger the same problems again and again, explaining why patients experience crashes after exertion.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Oxidative stress caused by a dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is involved in abnormal placenta formation in pregnant mice with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Zhao, Hai, Zhang, Jian, Qian, Ning et al.·Zygote (Cambridge, England)·2021

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects pregnancy in mice, focusing on how the placenta (which nourishes a developing baby) forms and functions. Researchers found that mice with CFS had more pregnancy complications, abnormal placentas, and increased cellular damage from oxidative stress (a harmful buildup of unstable molecules). The study suggests that two biological processes—oxidative stress and a disrupted cellular communication pathway called Wnt/β-catenin—may be responsible for these pregnancy problems.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Characterization of Cortisol Dysregulation in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes: A State-Space Approach.

Pednekar, Divesh Deepak, Amin, Md Rafiul, Azgomi, Hamid Fekri et al.·IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering·2020

This study looked at how the stress hormone cortisol behaves differently in people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS compared to healthy people. Researchers found that people with fibromyalgia clear cortisol from their bodies more slowly, causing it to build up, which then triggers the body to reduce cortisol release. People with ME/CFS show different patterns, particularly releasing less cortisol in the early morning hours.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Can linguistic analysis be used to identify whether adolescents with a chronic illness are depressed?

Jones, Lauren Stephanie, Anderson, Emma, Loades, Maria et al.·Clinical psychology & psychotherapy·2020

This study looked at whether doctors could use the words young people write in online therapy messages to figure out if they also have depression alongside ME/CFS. Researchers developed a system to analyze language patterns in 16 teenagers' messages, but found it didn't work very well at identifying depression compared to standard depression screening tests. A few language patterns showed promise—for example, teenagers with depression used more words about the past and fewer words showing mixed feelings—but the method overall wasn't reliable enough to be useful.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

The Interplay between Oxidative Stress, Exercise, and Pain in Health and Disease: Potential Role of Autonomic Regulation and Epigenetic Mechanisms.

Hendrix, Jolien, Nijs, Jo, Ickmans, Kelly et al.·Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)·2020

This review examines how physical activity, pain, and a harmful process called oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) interact in both healthy people and those with chronic pain conditions. The authors found that the relationships between these three factors are complicated and depend on the type of exercise and which person is being studied. They suggest that the nervous system's automatic functions and changes in how genes are expressed may help explain why these connections work differently in different people.

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Hypophosphatasia in Adults: Clinical Spectrum and Its Association With Genetics and Metabolic Substrates.

Lefever, Eveline, Witters, Peter, Gielen, Evelien et al.·Journal of clinical densitometry : the official journal of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry·2020

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare genetic condition affecting bone and muscle health caused by low levels of an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. This study looked at 19 adults with HPP and found that over one-third reported fatigue, and some had been wrongly diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. The study warns doctors to consider HPP when patients have unexplained fatigue and low alkaline phosphatase levels, to avoid inappropriate treatments.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bolton, Monica Jane, Chapman, Bryan Paul, Van Marwijk, Harm·BMJ case reports·2020

This study describes three people with ME/CFS who tried taking low-dose naltrexone (LDN), a medication sometimes used off-label for immune-related conditions. The patients experienced different results—some reported major improvements in their quality of life, while others noticed only modest reductions in specific symptoms like pain or fatigue. The doses used were quite small (4-12 mg), and the authors suggest that larger clinical trials might be worth doing to properly test whether LDN could help ME/CFS patients.

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Young and exhausted.

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

Photobiomodulation and Sports: Results of a Narrative Review.

A comparison of approaches for combining predictive markers for personalised treatment recommendations.

Qualitative study of the acceptability and feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Modulatory effects of cognitive exertion on regional functional connectivity of the salience network in women with ME/CFS: A pilot study.

Discernment of mediator and outcome measurement in the PACE trial.

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

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

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

"it's a medical condition … you need to support as much as possible": a qualitative analysis of teachers' experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

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

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

Pathophysiology of skeletal muscle disturbances in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).

Oxidative stress caused by a dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is involved in abnormal placenta formation in pregnant mice with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Characterization of Cortisol Dysregulation in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes: A State-Space Approach.

Can linguistic analysis be used to identify whether adolescents with a chronic illness are depressed?

The Interplay between Oxidative Stress, Exercise, and Pain in Health and Disease: Potential Role of Autonomic Regulation and Epigenetic Mechanisms.

Hypophosphatasia in Adults: Clinical Spectrum and Its Association With Genetics and Metabolic Substrates.

Low-dose naltrexone as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.

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