ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

61–80 of 280 studies

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Efficacy of Eszopiclone Plus Acupuncture Therapy by Dispersing the Stagnated Liver-Qi and Regulating the Spirit for Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Related Sleep Disorders.

Huang, Bing, Geng, Yining, Liu, Lanlan·Psychiatry and clinical psychopharmacology·2025

This study looked at whether adding acupuncture to a sleep medication (eszopiclone) could help people with ME/CFS who struggle with sleep. Researchers compared 57 patients who received both the medication and acupuncture to 50 patients who received only the medication. The combined treatment group had better sleep quality, higher levels of chemicals in the blood that support mood and brain health, and fewer side effects.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Long-COVID in children and their parents: A prospective cohort study.

Iijima, Hiroyuki, Funaki, Takanori, Kubota, Mitsuru·Pediatrics international : official journal of the Japan Pediatric Society·2025

This study followed Japanese children hospitalized with COVID-19 and their parents to see how many developed long-COVID symptoms. About 45% of children had lingering symptoms one month after infection, dropping to 23% by six months. The most common symptoms were cough, tiredness, and sleep problems, with sleep issues being most strongly linked to a reduced quality of life.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Adverse effects of obesity on overall health, quality of life, and related physical health metrics: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study from the All of Us Research Program.

Yao, Zhiqi, Tchang, Beverly G, Chae, Kacey et al.·Journal of internal medicine·2025

This study looked at over 323,000 people in the United States to understand how obesity affects overall health and quality of life. Researchers found that people with higher body weight reported worse health, more pain, more fatigue, and greater difficulty with physical activity compared to people of normal weight. The effects were strongest in people with the most severe obesity, who were nearly 4 times more likely to report poor health and severe pain.

Pain and SensitizationSleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

The Implications and Predictability of Sleep Reversal for People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Machine Learning Approach.

Dietrich, Meghan P, Pravin, Raam, Furst, Jacob et al.·Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2025

Some people with ME/CFS experience sleep reversal, where they sleep during the day and stay awake at night. This study looked at 2,313 ME/CFS patients to understand how common sleep reversal is and what symptoms go with it. People with sleep reversal reported more severe ME/CFS symptoms overall and greater difficulty with daily activities compared to those with normal sleep patterns.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

The relationship between fatigue, sleep quality, and sleep deprivation.

Ayas, Fahriye Yonca, Özcebe, Lütfiye Hilal·Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung·2025

This study looked at how fatigue, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness are connected in workplace employees. Researchers found that when people have poor sleep quality or don't sleep enough hours, they tend to experience more fatigue and daytime sleepiness—and these problems appear to affect each other in a cycle. The study suggests that addressing sleep problems may be important for reducing fatigue and improving workplace safety.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Identifying commonalities and differences between EHR representations of PASC and ME/CFS in the RECOVER EHR cohort.

Powers, John P, McIntee, Tomas J, Bhatia, Abhishek et al.·Communications medicine·2025

Researchers compared medical records from millions of patients to see how Long COVID (PASC) and ME/CFS are similar and different. They found that both conditions share common symptoms like fatigue, breathing difficulties, and trouble concentrating, but Long COVID tends to have more heart and lung problems, while ME/CFS more often involves pain and sleep issues. These similarities suggest that some treatment approaches might help both conditions.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Characterization of Post-Viral Infection Behaviors Among Patients With Long COVID: Prospective, Observational, Longitudinal Cohort Analyses of Fitbit Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Zhang, Tianmai M, Sharp, Sydney P, Scott, John D et al.·JMIR formative research·2025

Researchers gave 82 people with long COVID or ME/CFS Fitbit devices to track their physical activity, heart rate, and sleep for up to a year, while also asking them to report how they felt. They found that people who were less physically active reported worse fatigue, breathing problems, and physical function, and their symptoms worsened over time compared to those who remained more active. This suggests that activity levels may be related to symptom severity in long COVID, though the study couldn't prove that low activity causes worse symptoms.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearObservational

Co-occurrence of severe fatigue and insomnia: implications for the outcome of cognitive behavioural therapies.

Rauwerda, Nynke L, Kuut, Tanja A, Braamse, Annemarie M J et al.·Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy·2025

This study looked at whether having both severe fatigue and sleep problems at the same time affects how well cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) works. Researchers found that CBT was equally effective whether patients had just fatigue, just insomnia, or both together. Interestingly, when one symptom improved during treatment, the other often improved too—but sometimes one symptom stayed even after the other got better.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Overlapping conditions in Long COVID at a multisite academic center.

Grach, Stephanie L, Dudenkov, Daniel V, Pollack, Beth et al.·Frontiers in neurology·2024

This study looked at 247 patients with Long COVID who visited Mayo Clinic to see what new health problems developed after their COVID-19 infection. Researchers compared them to 40 people who had COVID-19 but recovered normally. The results showed that Long COVID patients experienced much higher rates of pain, neurological symptoms, sleep problems, and other issues. Importantly, 58% of Long COVID patients screened positive for ME/CFS—a serious fatigue and post-exertional symptom condition—compared to none of the control group.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Insomnia and sleep characteristics in post COVID-19 fatigue: A cross-sectional case-controlled study.

Rauwerda, Nynke L, Kuut, Tanja A, Braamse, Annemarie M J et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2024

This study looked at sleep problems in people with long COVID fatigue and compared them to people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that 64% of long COVID patients had clinically significant insomnia, and their sleep problems were closely linked to depression and age. While long COVID patients slept slightly less than ME/CFS patients on average, both groups struggled significantly with sleep quality and nighttime insomnia.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Urine Metabolite Analysis to Identify Pathomechanisms of Long COVID: A Pilot Study.

Taenzer, Maja, Löffler-Ragg, Judith, Schroll, Andrea et al.·International journal of tryptophan research : IJTR·2023

This study examined urine samples from people with Long COVID and ME/CFS to look for chemical imbalances that might explain their symptoms. Researchers found that both groups had lower levels of certain amino acids and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) compared to healthy people, particularly affecting energy production, mood, and sleep. These chemical signatures could potentially be used as simple urine tests to help doctors understand what is happening in patients and create personalized treatments.

SleepAutonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateDiagnosticPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Evaluating case diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): toward an empirical case definition.

Conroy, Karl E, Islam, Mohammed F, Jason, Leonard A·Disability and rehabilitation·2023

This study looked at how doctors diagnose ME/CFS by analyzing symptoms reported by over 2,300 patients from around the world. Researchers used statistical methods to identify which symptoms tend to occur together, then compared their findings to three existing diagnostic guidelines. They found that the symptoms cluster into seven main groups, with post-exertional malaise (worsening after activity), cognitive problems, and sleep issues being particularly important.

SleepPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Physical Activity Effects on Muscle Fatigue in Sport in Active Adults with Long COVID-19: An Observational Study.

Coscia, Francesco, Mancinelli, Rosa, Gigliotti, Paola Virginia et al.·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at how physical activity affected fatigue and other symptoms in people with Long COVID-19. Researchers compared people who stayed active with those who were sedentary and tracked their symptoms over 6 to 12 months. They found that people who remained physically active experienced a larger drop in fatigue over time compared to those who were inactive, though both groups still had muscle weakness and sleep problems.

SleepCognitive Impairment

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Chronic fatigue syndrome in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and affecting factors.

Pasin, Tugce, Karatekin, Bilinc Dogruoz, Pasin, Ozge·Northern clinics of Istanbul·2023

This study looked at mothers caring for children with cerebral palsy to see how many developed ME/CFS and what factors affected them. The researchers found that about 80% of the mothers met the clinical criteria for ME/CFS, with mothers who stayed home having more severe fatigue than those who worked full-time. The child's hand and arm function appeared to be an important factor in how severe the mother's fatigue became.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Risk factors for suicidal ideation in a chronic illness.

Elliott, Meghan K, Jason, Leonard A·Death studies·2023

This study looked at why some people with ME/CFS experience suicidal thoughts. Researchers surveyed 559 people with ME/CFS and found that certain factors—including sleep problems, feeling stigmatized by others, loss of physical abilities, severe disability, and being unmarried—were associated with increased suicide risk. The findings suggest that better education about ME/CFS, reducing stigma, and developing effective treatments could help protect people with this illness.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCross-Sectional

Pediatric Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Jason, Leonard A, Johnson, Madeline, Torres, Chelsea·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2023

This study compared young people recovering from long COVID (PASC) with young people who have ME/CFS to understand how their symptoms differ. Researchers asked 19 parents about their child's symptoms during initial COVID infection and again later, then compared these to 19 young people with ME/CFS. Most PASC symptoms improved over time, but fatigue and sleep problems stayed high—similar to what ME/CFS patients experience.

SleepPost-Exertional Malaise

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Fatigue after COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients according to sex.

Mazurkiewicz, Iwona, Chatys-Bogacka, Zaneta, Slowik, Joanna et al.·Brain and behavior·2023

This study looked at whether men and women experience post-COVID fatigue differently after a mild COVID-19 infection. Researchers asked 303 people (mostly women) about fatigue symptoms before COVID-19 and at different time points afterward. Women reported more persistent tiredness that didn't improve with rest, sleep problems, and sore throats compared to men, especially in the weeks right after infection.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Sleeping and Dietary Factors Associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Taiwanese Preschoolers.

Huang, Su-Fen, Duan, Hui-Ying·Children (Basel, Switzerland)·2023

This study looked at whether sleep habits and diet affect fatigue in young children (age 5) in Taiwan by asking parents about their children's sleep and eating patterns. The researchers found that children who slept well, got enough sleep, and had regular bedtimes felt less tired, while children with poor sleep quality felt more fatigued. Interestingly, eating regular, balanced meals seemed to help some children, but the connection wasn't as clear.

Sleep

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Key Features of a Multi-Disciplinary Hospital-Based Rehabilitation Program for Children and Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS.

Hiremath, Sonya, Doukrou, Montserrat, Flannery, Halina et al.·International journal of environmental research and public health·2022

This study looked at 27 children and teenagers with moderate to severe ME/CFS who stayed in a hospital and received coordinated care from multiple medical professionals. Most patients (85%) showed improvement in at least one important area of their lives, such as being able to move around better, return to school, sleep better, or enjoy social activities. These results suggest that hospital-based rehabilitation programs can help young people with severe ME/CFS improve their quality of life.

Sleep

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A description of the current status of chronic fatigue syndrome and associated factors among university students in Wuhan, China.

Luo, Lunbing, Zhang, Yutong, Huang, Tao et al.·Frontiers in psychiatry·2022

This study surveyed over 1,800 university students in Wuhan, China to understand how common ME/CFS is and what factors might contribute to it. Researchers found that about 6 in 100 students had ME/CFS, and identified several factors linked to the condition: pulling all-nighters, overeating, anxiety, and poor sleep quality increased risk, while being actively engaged in learning appeared protective. The study highlights that lifestyle and mental health factors may play important roles in ME/CFS among young adults.

Sleep

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Efficacy of Eszopiclone Plus Acupuncture Therapy by Dispersing the Stagnated Liver-Qi and Regulating the Spirit for Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Related Sleep Disorders.

Long-COVID in children and their parents: A prospective cohort study.

Adverse effects of obesity on overall health, quality of life, and related physical health metrics: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study from the All of Us Research Program.

The Implications and Predictability of Sleep Reversal for People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Machine Learning Approach.

The relationship between fatigue, sleep quality, and sleep deprivation.

Identifying commonalities and differences between EHR representations of PASC and ME/CFS in the RECOVER EHR cohort.

Characterization of Post-Viral Infection Behaviors Among Patients With Long COVID: Prospective, Observational, Longitudinal Cohort Analyses of Fitbit Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Co-occurrence of severe fatigue and insomnia: implications for the outcome of cognitive behavioural therapies.

Overlapping conditions in Long COVID at a multisite academic center.

Insomnia and sleep characteristics in post COVID-19 fatigue: A cross-sectional case-controlled study.

Urine Metabolite Analysis to Identify Pathomechanisms of Long COVID: A Pilot Study.

Evaluating case diagnostic criteria for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): toward an empirical case definition.

Physical Activity Effects on Muscle Fatigue in Sport in Active Adults with Long COVID-19: An Observational Study.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy and affecting factors.

Risk factors for suicidal ideation in a chronic illness.

Pediatric Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Fatigue after COVID-19 in non-hospitalized patients according to sex.

Sleeping and Dietary Factors Associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Taiwanese Preschoolers.

Key Features of a Multi-Disciplinary Hospital-Based Rehabilitation Program for Children and Adolescents with Moderate to Severe Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ME/CFS.

A description of the current status of chronic fatigue syndrome and associated factors among university students in Wuhan, China.

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