ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

721–740 of 6,122 studies

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearCase-Control

Cytokine signatures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a Case Control Study and the effect of anakinra treatment.

Roerink, Megan E, Knoop, Hans, Bronkhorst, Ewald M et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2017

Researchers compared immune signaling molecules (cytokines) in the blood of 50 women with ME/CFS to 48 healthy women and found two markers were elevated in the ME/CFS group: IL-12p40 and CSF-1. They also tested whether a drug called anakinra (which blocks inflammation) could help reduce these markers, but found it did not significantly change cytokine levels after 4 weeks of treatment.

BiomarkersImmune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Long-term economic evaluation of cognitive-behavioural group treatment versus enhanced usual care for functional somatic syndromes.

Schröder, Andreas, Ørnbøl, Eva, Jensen, Jens S et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2017

This study compared a structured group therapy program (called STreSS) with standard care for people with long-term physical symptoms like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Researchers tracked costs and health improvements over 40 months and found that although the therapy cost money upfront, it eventually saved money overall because more patients were able to work and needed fewer medical services.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Heart rate variability biofeedback therapy and graded exercise training in management of chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory pilot study.

Windthorst, Petra, Mazurak, Nazar, Kuske, Marvin et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2017

This study tested two different treatments for ME/CFS in 28 women: heart rate variability biofeedback (HRV-BF), which uses technology to help regulate breathing and nervous system activity, and graded exercise training (GET), which involves gradually increasing physical activity. Both treatments reduced fatigue, but they helped in different ways—HRV-BF appeared to help more with mood and depression, while GET seemed to improve physical functioning more.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Muscle injections with lidocaine improve resting fatigue and pain in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Staud, Roland, Kizer, Taylor, Robinson, Michael E·Journal of pain research·2017

Researchers tested whether injecting a numbing medication (lidocaine) into muscles could help ME/CFS patients with fatigue and pain. Compared to a placebo injection, lidocaine injections did reduce fatigue more effectively, and both types of injections reduced pain, depression, and anxiety. This suggests that signals from muscles themselves may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction combined with acupuncture at back-shu points for chronic fatigue syndrome].

Qi, Yuangang, Song, Shoujiang, Dou, Zhiqiang et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2017

This study tested whether combining a traditional Chinese herbal medicine (Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction) with acupuncture works better than the herb alone for chronic fatigue syndrome. Sixty patients received either the herbal treatment for one month, or the same herbs plus 30-minute acupuncture sessions at specific back points over three treatment courses. Both groups improved, but the combination of herbs and acupuncture produced greater reductions in fatigue and anxiety than the herb alone.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding combined with ginger-partitioned moxibustion on chronic fatigue syndrome of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and its effects on T lymphocyte subsets and activity of NK cell].

Xia, Depeng, Chen, Peifang, Du, Peixue et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2017

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese medicine treatment combining acupuncture with catgut embedding and ginger-based moxibustion could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The treatment group showed greater improvements in fatigue symptoms and immune system markers compared to people receiving standard acupuncture alone, with 96.7% reporting benefit.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Imipramine versus placebo for multiple functional somatic syndromes (STreSS-3): a double-blind, randomised study.

Agger, Johanne L, Schröder, Andreas, Gormsen, Lise K et al.·The lancet. Psychiatry·2017

This study tested whether a low-dose antidepressant called imipramine could help people who have multiple overlapping chronic conditions like ME/CFS and irritable bowel syndrome. Over 10 weeks, patients taking imipramine were more likely to report feeling better (53%) compared to those taking placebo (25%), but imipramine caused more side effects, particularly moderate ones like dry mouth and dizziness.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Glazachev, O S, Dudnik, Е N, Zagaynaya, E E·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2017

This study tested whether laennec, a human placenta extract given as intravenous infusions, could help patients with ME/CFS. Twenty-four patients received 10 infusions over 5 weeks, while 14 control patients received no treatment. The treated group showed significant improvements in fatigue levels, mood, quality of life, and physical exercise capacity, with no serious side effects reported.

E1 ReplicatedCohortPEM unclearObservational

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Jose G. Montoya, Tyson H. Holmes, Jill N. Anderson et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)·2017·n=192

Stanford researchers measured 51 cytokines in 192 ME/CFS patients and 392 healthy controls. Seventeen cytokines were significantly elevated in ME/CFS, with TGF-beta most strongly associated with disease severity. More severe patients had higher cytokine levels, suggesting immune activation scales with illness burden.

Immune SystemBiomarkersSevere ME

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredObservational

Kinesiophobia and maladaptive coping strategies prevent improvements in pain catastrophizing following pain neuroscience education in fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome: An explorative study.

Malfliet, Anneleen, Van Oosterwijck, Jessica, Meeus, Mira et al.·Physiotherapy theory and practice·2017

This study looked at why some people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia benefit more from a type of pain education (called pain neuroscience education) than others. The researchers found that patients who were very afraid of movement or who tended to worry a lot about their pain showed less improvement in their catastrophic thinking about pain after receiving this education. This suggests that for some patients, education alone may not be enough—they might need additional support to address their fears and worries.

Pain and SensitizationCognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM requiredObservational

Telephone-administered versus live group cognitive behavioral stress management for adults with CFS.

Hall, Daniel L, Lattie, Emily G, Milrad, Sara F et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2017

This study tested whether teaching stress management skills over the telephone worked as well as learning them in a live group setting for people with ME/CFS. Both formats helped reduce stress, but only the in-person group also improved physical symptoms like post-exertional malaise, chills, fever, and sleep quality. This suggests that meeting face-to-face may have extra benefits beyond just learning the techniques themselves.

ME/CFS (general)

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Adiponectin Potentially Contributes to the Antidepressive Effects of Baduanjin Qigong Exercise in Women With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Like Illness.

Chan, Jessie S M, Li, Ang, Ng, Siu-Man et al.·Cell transplantation·2017

This study tested whether a gentle exercise called Baduanjin Qigong could help women with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness by increasing a protein called adiponectin. Women who did Qigong exercises for 16 sessions showed increased adiponectin levels and improved depression and anxiety symptoms compared to a control group. The results suggest that adiponectin may be one way Qigong exercise helps reduce depression in people with this condition.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cytokine Inhibition in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.

Roerink, Megan E, Bredie, Sebastian J H, Heijnen, Michael et al.·Annals of internal medicine·2017

Researchers tested whether a drug called anakinra, which reduces inflammation in the body, could help reduce fatigue in women with ME/CFS. Over 4 weeks, patients received either anakinra injections or placebo (dummy injections), and both groups were followed for an additional 20 weeks. The drug did not significantly improve fatigue or other symptoms compared to placebo, though some patients experienced injection site reactions.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Intermittent and graded exercise effects on NK cell degranulation markers LAMP-1/LAMP-2 and CD8+CD38+ in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Broadbent, Suzanne, Coutts, Rosanne·Physiological reports·2017

This study tested whether two types of exercise programs could help improve immune system function in ME/CFS patients. Twenty-four ME/CFS patients were assigned to either graded exercise, intermittent exercise, or usual care, and researchers measured specific immune cells before and after 12 weeks. Both exercise programs increased markers of natural killer cell activity without making symptoms worse, and improved patients' exercise capacity.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Guided graded exercise self-help plus specialist medical care versus specialist medical care alone for chronic fatigue syndrome (GETSET): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Clark, Lucy V, Pesola, Francesca, Thomas, Janice M et al.·Lancet (London, England)·2017

This study tested whether a self-help exercise program with some guidance from a physiotherapist could help ME/CFS patients reduce fatigue and improve physical function. Patients either received standard medical care alone or standard care plus a guided self-help exercise booklet with up to four brief coaching sessions over 8 weeks. The guided exercise group showed modest improvements in fatigue and physical function at 12 weeks, and the program was found to be safe.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cost-Utility of Home-Based Fatigue Self-Management versus Usual Care for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Meng, Hongdao, Friedberg, Fred·Fatigue : biomedicine, health & behavior·2017

This study compared a low-cost, home-based self-management program for fatigue (based on cognitive behavioral therapy) with standard medical care for people with severe ME/CFS. Over one year, the self-management program was found to be more cost-effective than usual care—meaning it helped people feel better while costing less overall. The program was popular with participants and had very few people drop out.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Chronic fatigue syndrome treated by the traditional Chinese procedure abdominal tuina: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Li, Huanan, Wang, Jingui, Zhang, Wei et al.·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·2017

This study tested whether abdominal tuina (a traditional Chinese massage technique) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Eighty patients were randomly assigned to receive either abdominal tuina or acupuncture once daily for 4 weeks. Both treatments improved fatigue, anxiety, and depression scores, but the abdominal tuina group showed slightly better improvements in fatigue and depression, with few side effects reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Guided graded exercise self-help as a treatment of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Clauw, Daniel J·Lancet (London, England)·2017

This study tested whether a self-help program involving gradual, guided exercise could help reduce fatigue in people with ME/CFS. Participants used a self-guided approach to slowly increase their activity levels under professional guidance. The research was published in the prestigious Lancet journal, indicating rigorous scientific testing.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Wholistic Hybrid Derived From Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique (WHEE) for Self-Treatment of Pain, Depression, and Anxiety in Chronic Pain Patients.

Benor, Daniel, Rossiter-Thornton, John, Toussaint, Loren·Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine·2017

This small pilot study tested whether a self-help technique called WHEE (combining eye movements with tapping) could help people with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety. Twenty-four patients with chronic pain conditions (including 17 with ME/CFS or fibromyalgia) were split into two groups: one received WHEE treatment for 6 weeks while the other waited. The WHEE group showed improvements in anxiety and depression compared to those who waited, and when the waiting group later tried WHEE, they also experienced less pain and depression.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Economic evaluation of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment versus cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

Vos-Vromans, Desirée, Evers, Silvia, Huijnen, Ivan et al.·PloS one·2017

This study compared the cost and effectiveness of two treatments for ME/CFS: multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT), which involves physical therapy, psychology, and medical care working together, versus cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing thinking patterns and behaviors. Over one year, MRT reduced fatigue more effectively than CBT, but it cost significantly more money. Whether MRT is worth the extra cost depends on which outcome you prioritize—if fatigue reduction is most important, MRT appears cost-effective; if overall quality of life is most important, CBT may be better value.

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Cytokine signatures in chronic fatigue syndrome patients: a Case Control Study and the effect of anakinra treatment.

Long-term economic evaluation of cognitive-behavioural group treatment versus enhanced usual care for functional somatic syndromes.

Heart rate variability biofeedback therapy and graded exercise training in management of chronic fatigue syndrome: An exploratory pilot study.

Muscle injections with lidocaine improve resting fatigue and pain in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

[Chaihu Longgu Muli decoction combined with acupuncture at back-shu points for chronic fatigue syndrome].

[Efficacy of acupoint catgut embedding combined with ginger-partitioned moxibustion on chronic fatigue syndrome of spleen-kidney yang deficiency syndrome and its effects on T lymphocyte subsets and activity of NK cell].

Imipramine versus placebo for multiple functional somatic syndromes (STreSS-3): a double-blind, randomised study.

[Pharmacological treatment of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

Kinesiophobia and maladaptive coping strategies prevent improvements in pain catastrophizing following pain neuroscience education in fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome: An explorative study.

Telephone-administered versus live group cognitive behavioral stress management for adults with CFS.

Adiponectin Potentially Contributes to the Antidepressive Effects of Baduanjin Qigong Exercise in Women With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-Like Illness.

Cytokine Inhibition in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.

Intermittent and graded exercise effects on NK cell degranulation markers LAMP-1/LAMP-2 and CD8+CD38+ in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Guided graded exercise self-help plus specialist medical care versus specialist medical care alone for chronic fatigue syndrome (GETSET): a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Cost-Utility of Home-Based Fatigue Self-Management versus Usual Care for the Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome treated by the traditional Chinese procedure abdominal tuina: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Guided graded exercise self-help as a treatment of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome.

A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Wholistic Hybrid Derived From Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique (WHEE) for Self-Treatment of Pain, Depression, and Anxiety in Chronic Pain Patients.

Economic evaluation of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment versus cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

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