ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

61–80 of 244 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The impact of COVID-19 stress on pain and fatigue in people with and without a central sensitivity syndrome.

Koppert, Tim Y, Jacobs, Johannes W G, Lumley, Mark A et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This study looked at whether pandemic-related stress made pain and fatigue worse in people with central sensitivity syndromes (conditions like ME/CFS and fibromyalgia) compared to those without these conditions. Researchers surveyed Dutch participants before COVID-19 (2018) and during the pandemic peak (2020), measuring stress levels, symptom severity, and psychological flexibility (the ability to adapt to difficult emotions). Surprisingly, the study found that while stress and symptom severity were generally linked, having a central sensitivity syndrome did not make people more vulnerable to stress-related symptom worsening.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Do patients with central sensitivity syndromes have poor subjective outcomes despite anatomical cure from pelvic organ prolapse surgery?

Vij, Monika, Dua, Anu, Davies, Anthony et al.·International urogynecology journal·2021

This study looked at whether women with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, or IBS (conditions involving central nervous system sensitivity) had worse outcomes after surgery for pelvic organ prolapse compared to women without these conditions. The researchers found that women with these central sensitivity syndromes reported more persistent symptoms, more pain, and lower satisfaction with surgery even when the surgery was technically successful.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

High Prevalence of Perineural Cysts in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Hulens, Mieke, Bruyninckx, Frans, Dankaerts, Wim et al.·Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)·2021

Researchers found that small fluid-filled sacs called perineural cysts (Tarlov cysts) near nerve roots in the spine were present in 39% of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS—three times more common than in the general population. These cysts may irritate nerves and could potentially explain why some patients with these conditions experience widespread pain and fatigue. This finding suggests that fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and symptomatic Tarlov cysts might share a similar underlying cause related to spinal fluid pressure.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredLongitudinal

The association between exposure to domestic abuse in women and the development of syndromes indicating central nervous system sensitization: A retrospective cohort study using UK primary care records.

Chandan, Joht Singh, Keerthy, Deepiksana, Gokhale, Krishna Margadhamane et al.·European journal of pain (London, England)·2021

This study looked at whether women who experienced domestic abuse were more likely to develop conditions involving chronic pain and nervous system sensitivity, such as fibromyalgia and ME/CFS. Researchers compared health records of over 22,000 women who had experienced abuse with nearly 45,000 women who had not. They found that abuse survivors had significantly higher rates of several pain-related conditions, suggesting that trauma may trigger or worsen these syndromes.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Health, Wellbeing, and Prognosis of Australian Adolescents with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Case-Controlled Follow-Up Study.

Josev, Elisha K, Cole, Rebecca C, Scheinberg, Adam et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

This study followed Australian teenagers with ME/CFS for about two years after diagnosis to see how they were doing. While many young people improved in mood and some symptoms, fatigue, pain, and overall quality of life stayed significantly worse compared to healthy teenagers. About two-thirds of the teens still had ME/CFS at follow-up, suggesting the condition often persists in the early years after diagnosis.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM): the foundation of a relationship.

Mckay, Pamela G, Martin, Colin R, Walker, Helen et al.·British journal of pain·2021

This study compared people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia (FM) to see if these two conditions share similar symptoms and severity. Researchers asked 208 participants from each group to complete questionnaires about their pain, fatigue, sleep quality, mood, and how much these symptoms affected their daily lives. The study found that both groups experienced similarly debilitating symptoms and poor quality of life, suggesting these conditions may be connected in important ways.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Clinical Profile and Aspects of Differential Diagnosis in Patients with ME/CFS from Latvia.

Krumina, Angelika, Vecvagare, Katrine, Svirskis, Simons et al.·Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)·2021

This study looked at 65 people with ME/CFS in Latvia to understand their main symptoms and how the condition differs from simple tiredness. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS commonly experience fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, and sleep problems—more often than people without ME/CFS. When patients had other health conditions alongside ME/CFS, their symptoms tended to be more severe.

Pain and SensitizationSleepDiagnostics

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Central sensitisation in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia; a case control study.

Bourke, Julius H, Wodehouse, Theresa, Clark, Lucy V et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2021

This study tested whether ME/CFS and fibromyalgia involve a condition called 'central sensitisation,' where the nervous system becomes overly sensitive to pain signals. Researchers compared pain sensitivity in 19 ME/CFS patients, 19 fibromyalgia patients, and 20 healthy people using physical tests. They found that 84% of ME/CFS patients and 95% of fibromyalgia patients showed signs of central sensitisation, while none of the healthy controls did.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Impact of Life Stressors on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms: An Australian Longitudinal Study.

Balinas, Cassandra, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Maksoud, Rebekah et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2021

This Australian study followed 36 ME/CFS patients over five months to see how life stressors affected their symptoms. The researchers found that major life changes like work disruptions or money problems were linked to worsening symptoms like brain fog, stomach issues, pain, and sleep problems. Interestingly, patients who had better access to healthcare and support services experienced fewer severe symptoms.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearLongitudinal

Longitudinal outcomes associated with significant other responses to chronic fatigue and pain.

Schmaling, Karen B, Fales, Jessica L, McPherson, Sterling·Journal of health psychology·2020

This study followed 68 people with chronic fatigue (some also with fibromyalgia) for 18 months to see how their loved ones' responses affected their health outcomes. The researchers found that when significant others responded negatively to fatigue and pain, patients experienced more pain, worse mental health, and worse fatigue symptoms over time. Interestingly, when loved ones were more helpful and comforting (solicitous), patients with more fibromyalgia tender points tended to have this response, and when loved ones helped distract patients, mental health was better.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Pain in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Brodwall, Elias Myrstad, Pedersen, Maria, Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre et al.·Scandinavian journal of pain·2020

This study looked at pain symptoms in teenagers who developed chronic fatigue after a common virus infection (Epstein-Barr virus). Researchers compared teenagers who had the virus and became fatigued, those who had the virus but did not become fatigued, and healthy teenagers without the virus. They found that the fatigued group reported significantly more pain symptoms and that the amount of pain they experienced was strongly linked to their quality of life.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Systemic Hyperalgesia in Females with Gulf War Illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

Surian, Amber A, Baraniuk, James N·Scientific reports·2020

This study measured how sensitive to pain women with ME/CFS, Gulf War Illness, and fibromyalgia are compared to healthy controls. Researchers used a tool called a dolorimeter to apply pressure to 18 specific body points and measured how much pressure it took before women felt pain. Women with these illnesses felt pain at much lower pressure levels than healthy women, showing they have widespread increased pain sensitivity.

Pain and SensitizationDiagnostics

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Cognitive factors are associated with disability and pain, but not fatigue among physiotherapy attendees with persistent pain and fatigue.

Thompson, Dave P, Antcliff, Deborah, Woby, Steve R·Physiotherapy·2020

This study looked at how thoughts and beliefs affect pain, disability, and fatigue in people with long-term pain and exhaustion who were receiving physiotherapy. Researchers found that how confident people felt about managing their condition (self-efficacy) and how much they catastrophized (worried excessively) about their symptoms were linked to pain levels and disability, but surprisingly were not linked to fatigue levels.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Health-related quality of life in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an Australian cross-sectional study.

Eaton-Fitch, N, Johnston, S C, Zalewski, P et al.·Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation·2020

This Australian study of 480 people with ME/CFS found that the condition severely impacts quality of life across all major areas—physical functioning, emotional well-being, pain, and energy levels. People with ME/CFS scored much lower on quality of life measures compared to the general population, with the lowest scores for physical activities and fatigue. The study identified specific symptoms like cognitive difficulties, sleep problems, and cardiovascular issues that are most strongly linked to reduced quality of life.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Pressure Point Thresholds and ME/CFS Comorbidity as Indicators of Patient's Response to Manual Physiotherapy in Fibromyalgia.

Falaguera-Vera, Francisco Javier, Garcia-Escudero, María, Bonastre-Férez, Javier et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2020

This study tested whether hands-on physiotherapy (manual therapy) could help people with fibromyalgia (FM) by reducing pain sensitivity and improving quality of life. Researchers measured pain sensitivity before and after treatment using a special device called an algometer. The main finding was that people with fibromyalgia alone responded better to the therapy than those who had both fibromyalgia and ME/CFS.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Health Conditions and Psychotic Experiences: Cross-Sectional Findings From the American Life Panel.

Oh, Hans, Smith, Lee, Koyanagi, Ai·Frontiers in psychiatry·2020

This study looked at whether people who experience psychotic symptoms (like unusual beliefs or perceptions) also tend to have more physical health problems. Researchers surveyed a representative group of American adults and found that people reporting lifetime psychotic experiences were more likely to have conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, sleep disorders, migraines, and gastrointestinal problems. The more health conditions someone had, the stronger the association with psychotic experiences.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

OnabotulinumtoxinA Is an Effective Treatment for Chronic Migraine in Patients With Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Sastre Real, María, Díaz de Terán, Javier·Frontiers in neurology·2020

This study looked at whether a migraine treatment called botulinum toxin (Botox) could help people who have both chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. Researchers found that about two-thirds of patients improved within 3 months, and by 12 months, nearly 70% had at least a 50% reduction in severe headache days. The treatment was generally safe with only mild side effects.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Processing of Laser-Evoked Potentials in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Healthy Controls: A Case-Control Study.

Goudman, Lisa, Daenen, Liesbeth, Mouraux, Andre et al.·Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.)·2020

Researchers used a specialized brain test called laser-evoked potentials (LEPs) to measure how the nervous system responds to heat pain in ME/CFS patients, whiplash patients, and healthy people. The test involved brief laser pulses applied to the hand and foot while recording brain activity. The study found that ME/CFS patients' nervous systems responded to pain in basically the same way as healthy people, which suggests their pain-sensing pathways are working normally.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Musculoskeletal Pain in Individuals With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Reflects Three Distinct Profiles.

Falling, Carrie, Stebbings, Simon, Baxter, George D et al.·The Clinical journal of pain·2019

Most people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience muscle and joint pain, but the pain works differently in different people. This study found three distinct groups: one with mixed types of pain, one with pain driven by nervous system sensitivity, and one with pain in specific areas that improves when the IBD is under control. The group with nervous system-driven pain had higher rates of depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Pain and Sensitization

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Relationship Between Exercise-induced Oxidative Stress Changes and Parasympathetic Activity in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Observational Study in Patients and Healthy Subjects.

Polli, Andrea, Van Oosterwijck, Jessica, Nijs, Jo et al.·Clinical therapeutics·2019

This study looked at whether oxidative stress (cellular damage from normal metabolism) is related to pain in ME/CFS patients, and how it connects to the vagus nerve, which helps control the body's relaxation response. Researchers had ME/CFS patients and healthy people do a mild exercise test and measured their pain, oxidative stress levels, and nerve activity before and after. They found that oxidative stress was linked to pain in ME/CFS patients, but unlike healthy people, ME/CFS patients didn't show improvements in pain or oxidative stress after exercise.

Pain and SensitizationAutonomic Nervous System

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The impact of COVID-19 stress on pain and fatigue in people with and without a central sensitivity syndrome.

Do patients with central sensitivity syndromes have poor subjective outcomes despite anatomical cure from pelvic organ prolapse surgery?

High Prevalence of Perineural Cysts in Patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The association between exposure to domestic abuse in women and the development of syndromes indicating central nervous system sensitization: A retrospective cohort study using UK primary care records.

Health, Wellbeing, and Prognosis of Australian Adolescents with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): A Case-Controlled Follow-Up Study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM): the foundation of a relationship.

Clinical Profile and Aspects of Differential Diagnosis in Patients with ME/CFS from Latvia.

Central sensitisation in chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia; a case control study.

Impact of Life Stressors on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms: An Australian Longitudinal Study.

Longitudinal outcomes associated with significant other responses to chronic fatigue and pain.

Pain in adolescent chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Systemic Hyperalgesia in Females with Gulf War Illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.

Cognitive factors are associated with disability and pain, but not fatigue among physiotherapy attendees with persistent pain and fatigue.

Health-related quality of life in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an Australian cross-sectional study.

Pressure Point Thresholds and ME/CFS Comorbidity as Indicators of Patient's Response to Manual Physiotherapy in Fibromyalgia.

Health Conditions and Psychotic Experiences: Cross-Sectional Findings From the American Life Panel.

OnabotulinumtoxinA Is an Effective Treatment for Chronic Migraine in Patients With Comorbid Fibromyalgia.

Processing of Laser-Evoked Potentials in Patients with Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Healthy Controls: A Case-Control Study.

Musculoskeletal Pain in Individuals With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Reflects Three Distinct Profiles.

Relationship Between Exercise-induced Oxidative Stress Changes and Parasympathetic Activity in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Observational Study in Patients and Healthy Subjects.

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