ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

721–740 of 6,187 studies

[Scraping on head and face combined with stepping technique of tuina along lower limbs for chronic fatigue syndrome].

Lei, Long-Ming, Wu, Qiong-Yuan, He, Yu-Feng·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2020

This study tested whether a traditional Chinese medicine approach combining facial scraping and leg massage techniques could help ME/CFS patients feel less tired and mentally better. Patients receiving these techniques plus standard vitamin treatment showed greater improvement in fatigue and mood scores compared to those receiving vitamins alone.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Effect of ginger-separated moxibustion on fatigue, sleep quality and depression in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

Lin, Yu-Fang, Zhu, Jian-Fang, Chen, Yi-Dan et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2020

This study tested whether ginger-separated moxibustion (a traditional Chinese medicine technique involving burning herbs on the skin) could help ME/CFS patients feel less tired, sleep better, and feel less depressed. Over 4 weeks, patients who received moxibustion in addition to normal diet and exercise showed significant improvements in fatigue, sleep quality, and depression compared to those who only made lifestyle changes.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The Effect of Parenteral or Oral Iron Supplementation on Fatigue, Sleep, Quality of Life and Restless Legs Syndrome in Iron-Deficient Blood Donors: A Secondary Analysis of the IronWoMan RCT.

Macher, Susanne, Herster, Cornelia, Holter, Magdalena et al.·Nutrients·2020

This study looked at whether giving iron supplements to blood donors with iron deficiency could improve fatigue, sleep problems, and restless legs syndrome. After 8-12 weeks of taking either intravenous or oral iron supplements, patients reported significant improvements in fatigue, sleep quality, and restless legs symptoms, along with fewer headaches and dizziness. Both types of iron supplementation worked similarly well.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM requiredRCT

Cognitive-behavioural therapy combined with music therapy for chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents: a feasibility study.

Malik, Sadaf, Asprusten, Tarjei Tørre, Pedersen, Maria et al.·BMJ paediatrics open·2020

This study tested whether combining two types of therapy—cognitive-behavioral therapy (which helps change thought patterns and behaviors) and music therapy—could help adolescents recover from prolonged fatigue that started after an Epstein-Barr virus infection. Over 15 months, researchers compared 21 young people who received the combined therapy with 22 who received standard care. The therapy was safe and well-tolerated, and there were hints that it might help with symptom recovery, though the study was too small to prove effectiveness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Effect of disease duration in a randomized Phase III trial of rintatolimod, an immune modulator for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Strayer, David R, Young, Diane, Mitchell, William M·PloS one·2020

This study tested a drug called rintatolimod in ME/CFS patients to see if it could improve their ability to exercise. The researchers found that patients who had been sick for 2-8 years responded much better to the drug than those who had been sick for less than 2 years or more than 8 years. Over half of the patients in the right disease duration window improved their exercise capacity by at least 25%, which also improved their quality of life.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The effectiveness of cupping therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Meng, Xiu-Dong, Guo, Hao-Ran, Zhang, Qing-Ying et al.·Complementary therapies in clinical practice·2020

This study tested whether cupping therapy—a traditional treatment where cups create suction on the skin—could help people with ME/CFS feel less tired. Researchers divided 112 patients into three groups that received different levels of suction and compared the results. After 10 sessions over 5 weeks, all groups reported improvements in fatigue and sleep, with 10 sessions working better than 5 sessions, though the pressure levels didn't make much difference.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedCohortPEM requiredObservational

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in ME/CFS during head-up tilt testing even in the absence of hypotension or tachycardia

C. M. C. van Campen, F. C. Visser, P. C. Rowe·Journal of Internal Medicine·2020·n=429

In the largest study of its kind, 429 ME/CFS patients underwent head-up tilt testing with simultaneous cerebral blood flow monitoring. Nearly all ME/CFS patients showed significantly reduced cerebral blood flow when upright, even when blood pressure and heart rate were normal. The reduction correlated with symptom severity.

Autonomic Nervous SystemCognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM requiredRCT

B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Fluge, Øystein, Rekeland, Ingrid G, Lien, Katarina et al.·Annals of internal medicine·2019

Researchers tested whether a drug called rituximab, which reduces B cells (a type of immune cell), could help ME/CFS patients. Over 150 patients received either rituximab infusions or placebo over one year. Unexpectedly, the placebo group actually did slightly better than the treatment group, and neither group showed significant improvement in fatigue or function.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Acupuncture in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome based on "interaction of brain and kidney" in TCM: a randomized controlled trial].

Xu, Yu-Xin, Luo, Hua-Song, Sun, Dong et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2019

This study tested whether acupuncture could help people with ME/CFS feel less tired and sleep better. Sixty-eight patients were divided into two groups: one received acupuncture twice a week for four weeks along with standard care (rest and vitamins), while the other received only standard care. The acupuncture group showed greater improvements in fatigue, overall wellbeing, and sleep quality compared to the control group.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Clinical research of auricular gold-needle therapy in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution].

Xu, Yi-Yan, Liu, Ji-Hong, Ding, Hui et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2019

This study tested whether auricular gold-needle therapy (inserting gold needles in specific points on the ear) could help patients with chronic fatigue syndrome caused by qi deficiency, a concept from traditional Chinese medicine. Compared to seed pressure therapy and herbal medicine, the gold-needle treatment resulted in better symptom improvement and stronger immune markers after three months of treatment.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The Efficacy and Safety of Myelophil, an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Joung, Jin-Yong, Lee, Jin-Seok, Cho, Jung-Hyo et al.·Frontiers in pharmacology·2019

Researchers tested a herbal supplement called Myelophil (made from two plant extracts) in 97 people with ME/CFS over 12 weeks. Overall, the supplement didn't significantly reduce fatigue compared to placebo. However, in people with severe fatigue symptoms at the start, Myelophil did show meaningful improvement in fatigue levels and quality of life. The treatment was safe with no serious side effects reported.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The effect of Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar) on fatigue: A randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Daneshfard, Babak, Yekta, Nafiseh Hosseini, Khoshdel, Alireza et al.·Complementary therapies in medicine·2019

This study tested whether a plant supplement called Jadwar could reduce fatigue in healthy university students. Sixty-four students took either a Jadwar capsule or a placebo (dummy pill) for 15 days, and researchers measured their fatigue using a questionnaire before and after. The Jadwar group reported significant improvements across all types of fatigue measured, while the placebo group saw much smaller changes.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Qigong exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chan, Jessie S M, Ng, Siu-Man, Yuen, Lai-Ping et al.·International review of neurobiology·2019

This study tested whether Qigong, a gentle Chinese exercise and meditation practice, could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Two separate trials involving about 137 and 150 participants found that people who practiced Qigong for at least 30 minutes on at least 3 days per week experienced improvements in fatigue, depression, sleep quality, and certain biological markers related to cellular health.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Stepped Care for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Worm-Smeitink, Margreet, Janse, Anthonie, van Dam, Arno et al.·Journal of medical Internet research·2019

This study tested whether ME/CFS patients could be treated effectively with online cognitive behavioral therapy (a talk therapy done through a computer), with face-to-face therapy available if needed, compared to standard face-to-face therapy alone. The online therapy worked about as well as in-person therapy for reducing fatigue and disability, but used significantly less therapist time, making it potentially more efficient.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Rituximab for Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Annals of internal medicine·2019

This study tested whether rituximab, a medication that reduces certain immune cells, could help patients with ME/CFS. Researchers gave some patients rituximab and others a placebo (fake treatment) to see if it would improve their symptoms and ability to function. This was one of the first major clinical trials to test this specific treatment in ME/CFS patients.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Rethinking the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome-a reanalysis and evaluation of findings from a recent major trial of graded exercise and CBT.

Wilshire, Carolyn E, Kindlon, Tom, Courtney, Robert et al.·BMC psychology·2018

This study re-examined a large, well-known trial called PACE that tested whether exercise therapy and talking therapy could help people with ME/CFS. When researchers checked the original study data using the methods that were promised before the trial started, they found much weaker benefits than originally reported. The treatments did not clearly work better than standard care, recovery rates were very low, and improvements seemed to fade after two years.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Influence of Morphine and Naloxone on Pain Modulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia, and Controls: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.

Hermans, Linda, Nijs, Jo, Calders, Patrick et al.·Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain·2018

This study tested whether morphine and naloxone (a drug that blocks opioid effects) change how pain is processed in people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and healthy controls. Researchers measured pain sensitivity and pain relief in response to these medications using pressure tests and ischemic pain. They found that morphine slightly reduced pain sensitivity in patient groups similarly to placebo, but neither morphine nor naloxone significantly changed how the body's natural pain-relief system worked.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

A randomised controlled trial of the monoaminergic stabiliser (-)-OSU6162 in treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nilsson, Marie Karin Lena, Zachrisson, Olof, Gottfries, Carl-Gerhard et al.·Acta neuropsychiatrica·2018

Researchers tested a drug called (-)-OSU6162 to see if it could help people with ME/CFS feel less mentally tired. Sixty-two patients received either the drug or a placebo (dummy pill) for 2 weeks. While both groups felt somewhat better during treatment, the drug did not work significantly better than placebo overall. Interestingly, the drug appeared to help more in patients who were also taking antidepressants.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Efficacy of web-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

Janse, A, Worm-Smeitink, M, Bleijenberg, G et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2018

This study tested whether online cognitive-behavioural therapy (a type of talk therapy focused on thoughts and behaviours) could reduce fatigue in ME/CFS patients. 240 people with ME/CFS were randomly assigned to receive online therapy with regular therapist check-ins, online therapy with check-ins only when needed, or a waiting list. Both online therapy groups showed significant improvements in fatigue compared to those who waited, and both worked equally well.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cerebral Blood Flow and Heart Rate Variability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.

Malfliet, Anneleen, Pas, Roselien, Brouns, Raf et al.·Pain physician·2018

Researchers tested whether heart and blood vessel problems in ME/CFS patients explain their pain, fatigue, and concentration difficulties. They measured blood flow in the brain and heart rate patterns in 20 ME/CFS patients and 20 healthy people during mild exercise and stress. While both groups showed changes in these measurements during exercise, the ME/CFS patients did not show the normal pain relief response that healthy people had, suggesting their pain modulation system works differently—but this difference was not explained by the heart or blood flow measurements.

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

[Scraping on head and face combined with stepping technique of tuina along lower limbs for chronic fatigue syndrome].

[Effect of ginger-separated moxibustion on fatigue, sleep quality and depression in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial].

The Effect of Parenteral or Oral Iron Supplementation on Fatigue, Sleep, Quality of Life and Restless Legs Syndrome in Iron-Deficient Blood Donors: A Secondary Analysis of the IronWoMan RCT.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy combined with music therapy for chronic fatigue following Epstein-Barr virus infection in adolescents: a feasibility study.

Effect of disease duration in a randomized Phase III trial of rintatolimod, an immune modulator for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The effectiveness of cupping therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Cerebral blood flow is reduced in ME/CFS during head-up tilt testing even in the absence of hypotension or tachycardia

B-Lymphocyte Depletion in Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

[Acupuncture in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome based on "interaction of brain and kidney" in TCM: a randomized controlled trial].

[Clinical research of auricular gold-needle therapy in treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome of qi deficiency constitution].

The Efficacy and Safety of Myelophil, an Ethanol Extract Mixture of Astragali Radix and Salviae Radix, for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The effect of Delphinium denudatum (Jadwar) on fatigue: A randomized double blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Qigong exercise for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Stepped Care for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Rituximab for Patients With Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Rethinking the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome-a reanalysis and evaluation of findings from a recent major trial of graded exercise and CBT.

Influence of Morphine and Naloxone on Pain Modulation in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia, and Controls: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.

A randomised controlled trial of the monoaminergic stabiliser (-)-OSU6162 in treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Efficacy of web-based cognitive-behavioural therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

Cerebral Blood Flow and Heart Rate Variability in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research