ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

761–780 of 6,209 studies

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

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

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

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 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.

Severe MEBiomarkersImmune 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 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 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

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.

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

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

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

Physical effects of a reconditioning programme in a group of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Guillamo, Elisabet, Barbany, Joan R, Blazquez, Alicia et al.·The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness·2016

This study tested whether a 24-week exercise program (12 weeks in a lab, 12 weeks at home) could safely help ME/CFS patients improve strength, balance, and physical function. Sixty-eight patients were divided into two groups: one did the exercise program while the other received no intervention. Patients who completed the exercise program showed improvements in balance and muscle strength, with no serious setbacks reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The efficacy of guided self-instruction for patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue: A randomized controlled trial.

Janse, A, Wiborg, J F, Bleijenberg, G et al.·Journal of consulting and clinical psychology·2016

This study tested whether a self-help booklet combined with email support from a therapist could help people with chronic fatigue improve their energy levels and daily functioning. One hundred patients were randomly assigned to either receive the intervention or wait for later treatment. The results showed that people who received the guided self-instruction experienced significant improvements in fatigue severity and overall ability to function compared to those who waited.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredObservational

Complementary and alternative healthcare use by participants in the PACE trial of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lewith, G, Stuart, B, Chalder, T et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study looked at how many people with ME/CFS use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)—such as herbal supplements, acupuncture, or other non-standard treatments—and whether these helped their symptoms. Researchers found that 70% of study participants used some form of CAM at the start, but using CAM was not associated with meaningful improvements in fatigue or physical function over the course of the study.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Human Placental Extract as a Subcutaneous Injection Is Effective in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Park, Sat Byul, Kim, Kyu-Nam, Sung, Eunju et al.·Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin·2016

Researchers tested whether injections of human placental extract (a substance derived from placentas) could help people with ME/CFS feel less fatigued. Seventy-eight people with chronic fatigue received either the placental extract or a placebo (dummy injection) three times per week for 6 weeks. Those who received the real extract reported greater improvements in fatigue levels compared to the placebo group, though the benefit was only seen in people with ME/CFS, not in those with other types of chronic fatigue.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase modifies effects of clonidine treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hall, K T, Kossowsky, J, Oberlander, T F et al.·The pharmacogenomics journal·2016

This study tested whether a blood pressure medication called clonidine helps people with ME/CFS, and found that it worked differently depending on patients' genes. Specifically, people with a certain genetic variation in a gene called COMT had worse outcomes (fewer steps walked, worse sleep, lower quality of life) when taking clonidine, while those with a different version of the gene showed no improvement or worsening. This suggests that genetic testing might help doctors figure out which patients should avoid this medication.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Treatment expectations influence the outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment in patients with CFS.

Vos-Vromans, D C W M, Huijnen, I P J, Rijnders, L J M et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2016

This study tested whether patients' expectations about treatment affect how well they recover from ME/CFS. Researchers gave 122 patients either cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment (MRT) and measured their expectations before starting. They found that for patients receiving MRT, having positive expectations was linked to better outcomes in fatigue and physical quality of life—but this connection was not found in the CBT group.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effect of coenzyme Q10 plus nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide supplementation on maximum heart rate after exercise testing in chronic fatigue syndrome - A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

Castro-Marrero, Jesus, Sáez-Francàs, Naia, Segundo, María Jose et al.·Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland)·2016

This study tested whether two supplements called CoQ10 and NADH could help people with ME/CFS feel less fatigued and improve their exercise capacity. Eighty patients took either the supplements or placebo for 8 weeks. The results showed modest improvements: the supplement group had lower maximum heart rates during exercise testing and reported less fatigue, but pain and sleep didn't improve.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Ubiquinol-10 supplementation improves autonomic nervous function and cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fukuda, Sanae, Nojima, Junzo, Kajimoto, Osami et al.·BioFactors (Oxford, England)·2016

This study tested whether taking a supplement called ubiquinol-10 (a form of coenzyme Q10) could help people with ME/CFS feel better. Researchers first gave 20 patients ubiquinol-10 for 8 weeks and saw improvements, then tested it more rigorously in 43 patients who either received ubiquinol-10 or a placebo for 12 weeks. The results suggested that ubiquinol-10 may help improve some CFS symptoms, particularly problems with nerve function and thinking ability.

Autonomic Nervous System

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

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

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

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

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

Cytokine signature associated with disease severity in chronic fatigue syndrome patients

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Physical effects of a reconditioning programme in a group of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

The efficacy of guided self-instruction for patients with idiopathic chronic fatigue: A randomized controlled trial.

Complementary and alternative healthcare use by participants in the PACE trial of treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Human Placental Extract as a Subcutaneous Injection Is Effective in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Genetic variation in catechol-O-methyltransferase modifies effects of clonidine treatment in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treatment expectations influence the outcome of multidisciplinary rehabilitation treatment in patients with CFS.

Effect of coenzyme Q10 plus nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide supplementation on maximum heart rate after exercise testing in chronic fatigue syndrome - A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.

Ubiquinol-10 supplementation improves autonomic nervous function and cognitive function in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research