ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

561–580 of 6,187 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Autoantibodies associated with psychiatric disorders.

Margutti, Paola, Delunardo, Federica, Ortona, Elena·Current neurovascular research·2006

This review examines evidence that the immune system can sometimes produce antibodies that attack the brain and blood vessels, potentially causing psychiatric symptoms like depression, anxiety, and psychosis. The authors discuss how this autoimmune mechanism may occur in several conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, and review what we know about antibodies in psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism.

Neuroinflammation

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Systematic review of multi-symptom conditions in Gulf War veterans.

Thomas, Hollie V, Stimpson, Nicola J, Weightman, Alison L et al.·Psychological medicine·2006

This review examined 23 studies comparing health problems in Gulf War veterans to people who were not deployed. Veterans who served in the Gulf War were nearly 4 times more likely to develop chronic fatigue syndrome and about 3.5 times more likely to report multiple chemical sensitivities or other multi-symptom illnesses. The review suggests that deployment to the Gulf War is connected with higher rates of these conditions.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review.

Maquet, D, Demoulin, C, Crielaard, J M·Annales de readaptation et de medecine physique : revue scientifique de la Societe francaise de reeducation fonctionnelle de readaptation et de medecine physique·2006

This review examined all available research about ME/CFS to understand what we know about the condition. Researchers found that ME/CFS affects between 0.2% and 0.7% of people and that despite decades of research into possible causes like infections, immune problems, and hormonal imbalances, we still don't fully understand what causes the illness. Treatment should combine physical rehabilitation with psychological support to address the whole person.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic musculoskeletal pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: recent developments and therapeutic implications.

Nijs, Jo, Meeus, Mira, De Meirleir, Kenny·Manual therapy·2006

Many people with ME/CFS experience muscle and joint pain that can be even more bothersome than the fatigue itself. This review found that while some people with ME/CFS have naturally flexible joints, this doesn't seem to cause their pain. However, the way people think about their pain—such as catastrophizing or assuming the worst—plays a big role in how much pain they feel. The body's response to exercise appears to create extra stress on muscles in ME/CFS patients, which explains why exercise can make pain worse rather than better.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic disease.

Pedersen, B K, Saltin, B·Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports·2006

This review examined whether exercise therapy helps treat many different diseases, including chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The authors looked at evidence showing how exercise affects disease causes, symptoms, fitness, and quality of life across multiple conditions. They also discussed how much exercise is safe and effective for each disease.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy for symptom syndromes.

Jackson, Jeffrey L, O'Malley, Patrick G, Kroenke, Kurt·CNS spectrums·2006

This review looked at research on whether antidepressant medications and talking therapy (cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT) help with long-lasting physical symptoms like pain and fatigue. The researchers examined studies on 11 different conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome. They found that CBT was the most consistently helpful treatment, while antidepressants showed mixed results depending on the specific condition.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

A systematic review describing the prognosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cairns, R, Hotopf, M·Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)·2005

This review looked at 28 studies about how ME/CFS progresses over time. Researchers found that full recovery without treatment is uncommon (about 5%), but roughly 4 out of 10 patients did improve their symptoms. People who had milder fatigue to start with, felt they could control their symptoms, and didn't believe their illness was purely physical tended to have better outcomes.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome: the need for subtypes.

Jason, Leonard A, Corradi, Karina, Torres-Harding, Susan et al.·Neuropsychology review·2005

ME/CFS is a complex condition that affects people in different ways, and researchers found that treating it as one single disease may not be helpful. This review shows that patients with ME/CFS have different combinations of symptoms, different levels of disability, and different biological markers (measurable signs in the body), suggesting the condition should be divided into subtypes. Just like how different patients with diabetes or heart disease need different treatment approaches, ME/CFS patients might benefit from being grouped into categories so doctors can provide more targeted care.

Diagnostics

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

The placebo response in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cho, Hyong Jin, Hotopf, Matthew, Wessely, Simon·Psychosomatic medicine·2005

This study looked at how often ME/CFS patients improve simply from believing they will improve (the placebo effect) in clinical trials. Researchers found that the placebo response in ME/CFS is actually lower than many people assume—only about 20% of patients improved with placebo. Interestingly, patients were less likely to show placebo improvement when the treatment was psychological or psychiatric in nature, possibly because many ME/CFS patients believe their illness is physical rather than mental.

Interventions

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredMeta-Analysis

Post-Lyme borreliosis syndrome: a meta-analysis of reported symptoms.

Cairns, Victoria, Godwin, Jon·International journal of epidemiology·2005

This study looked at patients who had Lyme disease and found that many experienced long-lasting fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and thinking difficulties even after antibiotic treatment. Researchers combined results from five previous studies comparing Lyme disease patients to healthy controls and found these symptoms were significantly more common in the Lyme disease group. The symptom pattern was notably different from other conditions like fibromyalgia or depression.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rimes, K A, Chalder, T·Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)·2005

This review looked at different ways to treat chronic fatigue syndrome by examining studies on therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (talking therapy that helps change thought patterns), graded exercise therapy (gradually increasing physical activity), medications, immune treatments, and supplements. The most helpful treatments found were cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy, though many other treatments need more research. Occupational health doctors may be able to help patients manage their symptoms and return to work.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Physical activity for secondary prevention of disease. Systematic reviews of randomised clinical trials.

Karmisholt, Katrine, Gøtzsche, Peter C·Danish medical bulletin·2005

This review looked at whether physical activity helps prevent disease in people who already have certain health conditions. The researchers examined 17 high-quality studies published between 1998-2004. Physical activity was helpful for some conditions like heart disease and arthritis, but did not show benefits for chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, or several other conditions.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Genetic factors in neuromuscular pain.

Buskila, Dan, Neumann, Lily, Press, Joseph·CNS spectrums·2005

This review examined whether ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and related chronic pain conditions share genetic roots. Researchers looked at recent studies suggesting that genes involved in serotonin and dopamine—brain chemicals that affect mood and pain—may make some people more likely to develop these conditions. The review also highlights that environmental triggers (like infections or stress) likely play a role in people who are genetically predisposed.

Pain and Sensitization

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ranjith, G·Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)·2005

This review examined research on how common ME/CFS is in different populations and what factors might be linked to it. While fatigue itself is very common, ME/CFS is actually quite rare. Interestingly, some patterns seen in specialist clinics (like who gets sick) don't always match what researchers find when they study the general population.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Edmonds, M, McGuire, H, Price, J·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2004

This review looked at five studies testing whether graded exercise helps people with ME/CFS. At 12 weeks, patients who did exercise therapy felt less tired and had better physical function than those who didn't exercise. However, more people dropped out of the exercise groups, suggesting the treatment may be difficult for some patients to continue.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Disability and chronic fatigue syndrome: a focus on function.

Ross, Susan D, Estok, Rhonda P, Frame, Diana et al.·Archives of internal medicine·2004

Researchers reviewed 37 studies about how ME/CFS affects people's ability to work. They found that most people with ME/CFS in these studies were unemployed. Surprisingly, depression was the only factor clearly linked to job loss, while other symptoms didn't consistently predict employment problems. Only three types of treatment—cognitive behavior therapy, rehabilitation, and exercise—showed promise in helping people return to work.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearSystematic-Review

Psycho-educational interventions for children with chronic disease, parents and siblings: an overview of the research evidence base.

Barlow, J H, Ellard, D R·Child: care, health and development·2004

This review looked at studies testing whether educational and psychological programs help children and teenagers with chronic diseases—including ME/CFS—and their families cope better. The researchers found that programs using cognitive-behavioral techniques (which help people change unhelpful thinking patterns) showed promise for improving things like confidence in managing illness, quality of life, and reducing symptoms like fatigue in ME/CFS patients. However, the review found that most studies were small and didn't always explain their programs clearly.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

The management of fibromyalgia.

Rao, Srinivas G, Clauw, Daniel J·Drugs of today (Barcelona, Spain : 1998)·2004

This guideline reviews how fibromyalgia is managed and notes that it shares similarities with other conditions like ME/CFS, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic headaches. These conditions cause pain that comes from the central nervous system rather than from injured tissue, which means common pain medications like NSAIDs and opioids don't work well. Instead, certain antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, exercise, and talk therapy tend to be more helpful.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reid, Steven, Chalder, Trudie, Cleare, Anthony et al.·Clinical evidence·2004

This review examined what we know about treating chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) by looking at multiple existing studies together. The authors searched medical literature to find which treatments have evidence supporting their use. This systematic review helps doctors and patients understand what treatments have been studied and what the research shows about their effectiveness.

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredEditorial

Medically unexplained symptoms and neuropsychological assessment.

Binder, Laurence M, Campbell, Keith A·Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology·2004

This review examines several long-term illnesses—including ME/CFS—where patients experience real symptoms but standard medical tests don't show an obvious cause. The authors found that some patients do have measurable thinking and memory problems, but these may result from a combination of stress, past trauma, and how the body responds to illness rather than from traditional brain disease alone.

Cognitive Impairment

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Evidence browser

Autoantibodies associated with psychiatric disorders.

Systematic review of multi-symptom conditions in Gulf War veterans.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review.

Chronic musculoskeletal pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: recent developments and therapeutic implications.

Evidence for prescribing exercise as therapy in chronic disease.

Antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy for symptom syndromes.

A systematic review describing the prognosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: the need for subtypes.

The placebo response in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Post-Lyme borreliosis syndrome: a meta-analysis of reported symptoms.

Treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Physical activity for secondary prevention of disease. Systematic reviews of randomised clinical trials.

Genetic factors in neuromuscular pain.

Epidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Disability and chronic fatigue syndrome: a focus on function.

Psycho-educational interventions for children with chronic disease, parents and siblings: an overview of the research evidence base.

The management of fibromyalgia.

Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Medically unexplained symptoms and neuropsychological assessment.

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