ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

5541–5560 of 6,211 studies

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Single-photon emission computerized tomography and neurocognitive function in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Schmaling, Karen B, Lewis, David H, Fiedelak, Jessica I et al.·Psychosomatic medicine·2003

Researchers used brain imaging scans to compare how the brains of people with ME/CFS and healthy people work during a challenging listening and memory task. People with ME/CFS performed just as well on the task as healthy people, but reported feeling like they had to work much harder mentally. The brain scans showed that people with ME/CFS had a different pattern of brain activity—more spread out rather than focused in specific areas—suggesting their brains may be working less efficiently.

Cognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptors: mediators of fatigue?

Cleare, A J·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2003

This study looks at whether a hormone system called the HPA axis—which controls stress responses and cortisol production—might explain why people with ME/CFS experience severe fatigue. Researchers found that some patients have lower cortisol levels and changes in how their bodies respond to stress, and that giving cortisol replacement therapy in some cases improved fatigue. However, the changes weren't the same in all patients, suggesting multiple different factors may be contributing to fatigue rather than one single problem.

Endocrine Disruption

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Ideal versus reality: physicians perspectives on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia.

Asbring, Pia, Närvänen, Anna-Liisa·Social science & medicine (1982)·2003

This study asked 26 Swedish doctors about their experiences caring for patients with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. The researchers found that many doctors feel uncertain and uncomfortable treating these conditions, partly because they're not fully understood. Some doctors were skeptical about whether these illnesses were real, and patients often weren't treated with the same respect as those with clearly defined diseases.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Isoprenoid pathway dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Kurup, Ravi Kumar, Kurup, Parameswara Achutha·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2003

This study looked at a set of chemical processes in the body called the isoprenoid pathway in 15 people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that several key molecules and minerals were out of balance in ME/CFS patients compared to expected levels, including low magnesium, low energy-producing compounds in cells, and imbalanced brain chemicals. These patterns were associated with increased oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) and problems with how the immune system presents viral antigens.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Atypical depression spectrum disorder - neurobiology and treatment.

Murck, Harald·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2003

This article explores a type of depression with unusual symptoms—like eating more and sleeping more instead of less—that is often overlooked in standard depression assessments. The author suggests this pattern of depression shares biological similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other related conditions, and that all of these may involve a common problem with how the body regulates stress hormones. Different medications may work better for this type of depression than those typically used for other forms.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Q fever as a biological weapon.

Kagawa, Frank T, Wehner, John H, Mohindra, Vibha·Seminars in respiratory infections·2003

Q fever is a rare bacterial infection that can be caught from animals and is highly contagious. Most people who catch it have no symptoms or mild flu-like illness, but some develop serious complications like pneumonia or inflammation of the heart. Importantly, a small number of people develop chronic Q fever, which can cause long-term fatigue similar to ME/CFS.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Chronic fatigue syndrome: new evidence for a central fatigue disorder.

Georgiades, Evelina, Behan, Wilhelmina M H, Kilduff, Liam P et al.·Clinical science (London, England : 1979)·2003

This study investigated whether ME/CFS involves problems with how the brain regulates energy and effort perception. Researchers compared 12 ME/CFS patients and 11 healthy controls during exercise, measuring chemicals in the blood that help the brain function. ME/CFS patients felt more exhausted at every stage and had different levels of brain chemicals, particularly those related to serotonin and dopamine—systems that regulate mood, motivation, and perception of effort.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia and co-morbid unexplained clinical conditions.

Aaron, Leslie A, Buchwald, Dedra·Best practice & research. Clinical rheumatology·2003

Many people with fibromyalgia also experience other chronic conditions like ME/CFS, irritable bowel syndrome, and jaw pain. This review examines how often these conditions occur together and suggests that doctors should check for multiple conditions when treating fibromyalgia patients. Treatment works better when it addresses all of a patient's overlapping symptoms, not just one condition.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome: the nurse's role.

Aylett, Elizabeth, Fawcett, Tonks N·Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)·2003

This article discusses what ME/CFS is and how nurses can help patients manage this exhausting illness. The authors argue that nurses are well-suited to be the main healthcare provider coordinating care for ME/CFS patients, because they can build strong relationships with patients and help them feel heard and supported.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

An overview of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jackson, Elizabeth·Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)·2003

This article reviews what we know about ME/CFS, including the symptoms people commonly experience and how they can be treated. The author describes a new model of patient care that was tested in the community, which combines several different therapeutic approaches to help manage the condition.

Interventions

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

An approach to persons with chronic fatigue syndrome based on the model of human occupation: part one, impact on occupational performance and participation.

Taylor, Renee R, Kielhofner, Gary W, Abelenda, Judith et al.·Occupational therapy in health care·2003

This study looked at how ME/CFS affects people's ability to work, study, and participate in daily life. The researchers used a framework called the Model of Human Occupation to understand how motivation, habits, physical abilities, and surroundings all work together to influence how people with ME/CFS manage their daily activities. The paper draws on real examples from patients' experiences and clinical practice to show the many ways this illness disrupts normal life.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral chemical dominance and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Kurup, Ravi Kumar, Kurup, Parameswara Achutha·The International journal of neuroscience·2003

This study examined chemical pathways in the brains of 15 ME/CFS patients, focusing on how the body produces energy and manages stress. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had lower levels of important protective molecules and higher levels of harmful byproducts, along with imbalances in brain chemicals that affect mood, energy, and pain. The study suggests these biochemical problems may be linked to how the brain is organized in people with ME/CFS.

Energy Metabolism

E3 PreliminaryBehavioralPEM not required

Clinical assessment, management and outcomes of a group of adolescents presenting with complex medico-psychosocial conditions.

Szyndler, J E, Towns, S, Hoffman, R C et al.·Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore·2003

This study looked at 38 teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or similar complex conditions that involve both physical symptoms and emotional/social factors. Doctors used a team-based approach to help these young people and found that about half improved with treatment. The study showed that having family members with similar symptoms and missing school were linked to worse outcomes.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

An occupational therapy approach to persons with chronic fatigue syndrome: part two, assessment and intervention.

Taylor, Renee R, Kielhofner, Gary W·Occupational therapy in health care·2003

This study explains how occupational therapists can better help people with ME/CFS by using a structured approach called the Model of Human Occupation. This framework helps therapists understand how the condition affects a person's motivation, daily habits, roles, and ability to do activities they care about. The paper provides practical guidance and a real-world example of how to assess and treat ME/CFS patients using this approach.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis in children and adolescents.

Chatterjee, Tapabrata·Journal of the Indian Medical Association·2003

This article reviews how ME/CFS affects children and teens, a group that is often overlooked in medical research. The authors explain the current diagnostic criteria used to identify the condition and discuss available treatments, though they note that how well these treatments work and what happens to patients over time remains unclear.

Diagnostics

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Case reports and review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Carothers, Becky, Schmidt, Lori, Puri, Vinay·The Journal of the Kentucky Medical Association·2003

POTS is a condition where your heart rate increases too much when you stand up, and less blood flows to your brain, causing dizziness and fainting. This paper describes two patients with POTS who needed different levels of treatment—one managed at home and one needing hospital care. The authors point out that POTS is probably more common than doctors realize and is sometimes mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome or other conditions.

Autonomic Nervous System

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Psychometric properties of the Dutch Chronic Fatigue Syndrome--Activities and Participation Questionnaire (CFS-APQ).

Nijs, Jo, Vaes, Peter, McGregor, Neil et al.·Physical therapy·2003

Researchers tested a questionnaire designed to measure how ME/CFS affects daily activities and participation in normal life. The Dutch version of this questionnaire was given to people with ME/CFS, and the researchers found it reliably measured activity limitations and correlated well with patients' reports of pain and fatigue. This suggests the questionnaire is a useful tool for tracking how the disease impacts everyday functioning.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome].

Gherardi, R K·Revue neurologique·2003

This review examines macrophagic myofasciitis, a condition where aluminum from vaccine adjuvants persists in muscle tissue and may trigger long-lasting immune activation. About half of patients develop fatigue and muscle pain that meet ME/CFS criteria, and some develop autoimmune diseases. The authors suggest that persistent immune stimulation from the aluminum depot could explain both this vaccine-related condition and possibly other forms of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Efficacy of a half dose of oral pyridostigmine in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: three case reports.

Kawamura, Yasuo, Kihara, Mikihiro, Nishimoto, Kazuhiro et al.·Pathophysiology : the official journal of the International Society for Pathophysiology·2003

This small study looked at three ME/CFS patients who had problems with both nerve-muscle communication and autonomic nervous system dysfunction (how the body regulates heart rate, sweating, and other automatic functions). All three patients improved significantly when given low doses of a medication called pyridostigmine, which helps acetylcholine (a chemical messenger in the nervous system) work better. The authors suggest that some ME/CFS fatigue might be caused by a combination of these two problems working together.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Deficit in motor performance correlates with changed corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Davey, N J, Puri, B K, Catley, M et al.·International journal of clinical practice·2003

This study looked at whether the slowness people with ME/CFS experience in reacting and moving is connected to changes in how their brain controls muscles. Researchers tested 10 ME/CFS patients twice over up to two years, measuring reaction times, movement speed, and brain signals using magnetic stimulation. They found that when patients' symptoms changed, their brain's ability to control movements changed in a similar way, suggesting the slowness has a real physical basis in the brain rather than being purely psychological.

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Single-photon emission computerized tomography and neurocognitive function in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Glucocorticoids and glucocorticoid receptors: mediators of fatigue?

Ideal versus reality: physicians perspectives on patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia.

Isoprenoid pathway dysfunction in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Atypical depression spectrum disorder - neurobiology and treatment.

Q fever as a biological weapon.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: new evidence for a central fatigue disorder.

Chronic diffuse musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia and co-morbid unexplained clinical conditions.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: the nurse's role.

An overview of chronic fatigue syndrome.

An approach to persons with chronic fatigue syndrome based on the model of human occupation: part one, impact on occupational performance and participation.

Hypothalamic digoxin, cerebral chemical dominance and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Clinical assessment, management and outcomes of a group of adolescents presenting with complex medico-psychosocial conditions.

An occupational therapy approach to persons with chronic fatigue syndrome: part two, assessment and intervention.

Chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis in children and adolescents.

Case reports and review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Psychometric properties of the Dutch Chronic Fatigue Syndrome--Activities and Participation Questionnaire (CFS-APQ).

[Lessons from macrophagic myofasciitis: towards definition of a vaccine adjuvant-related syndrome].

Efficacy of a half dose of oral pyridostigmine in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: three case reports.

Deficit in motor performance correlates with changed corticospinal excitability in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

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