ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

781–800 of 6,122 studies

Tryptophan depletion in chronic fatigue syndrome, a pilot cross-over study.

The, Gerard K H, Verkes, Robbert J, Fekkes, Durk et al.·BMC research notes·2014

Researchers tested whether reducing tryptophan (a protein building block that helps make serotonin, a brain chemical) would improve ME/CFS symptoms. Five women with ME/CFS received either a special amino acid drink designed to lower tryptophan or placebo, one week apart. The drink successfully reduced tryptophan levels by 96%, but it did not change fatigue, mood, or concentration compared to placebo.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Qigong exercise alleviates fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, improves sleep quality, and shortens sleep latency in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness.

Chan, Jessie S M, Ho, Rainbow T H, Chung, Ka-Fai et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2014

This study tested whether a gentle movement and breathing practice called Baduanjin Qigong could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness. Over 9 weeks, 150 participants either took Qigong classes and practiced at home, or waited for treatment. The Qigong group showed improvements in sleep quality, how quickly they fell asleep, fatigue levels, and anxiety and depression symptoms—and the more they practiced, the better they did.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Agomelatine but not melatonin improves fatigue perception: a longitudinal proof-of-concept study.

Pardini, M, Cordano, C, Benassi, F et al.·European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2014

This study tested whether a medication called agomelatine could reduce fatigue in people with ME/CFS. The researchers compared agomelatine to melatonin (a common sleep supplement) over 24 weeks in 62 patients. Agomelatine improved fatigue and quality of life, while melatonin alone did not—and when patients switched from melatonin to agomelatine, their fatigue improved.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Mediators of the effects on fatigue of pragmatic rehabilitation for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wearden, Alison J, Emsley, Richard·Journal of consulting and clinical psychology·2013

This study tested whether a form of rehabilitation program helped ME/CFS patients feel less tired compared to standard GP care. The researchers found that improvements in fatigue were linked to patients reducing limiting activities and catastrophizing (assuming the worst about their symptoms). Importantly, physical exercise capacity (measured by a step test) did not improve, suggesting the fatigue reduction came from changes in how patients thought about and responded to their illness, not from increased physical fitness.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredObservational

[The use of melatonin in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and circadian rhythm disorders in Parkinson's disease].

Datieva, V K, Rosinskaia, A V, Levin, O S·Zhurnal nevrologii i psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova·2013

This study tested whether melatonin, a natural hormone that helps regulate sleep, could help Parkinson's disease patients who also experience chronic fatigue. Thirty patients took melatonin and showed a 21% improvement in fatigue, better sleep, less anxiety, and improved quality of life. The treatment did not significantly affect movement problems, thinking abilities, or depression.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effects of sleep restriction and exercise deprivation on somatic symptoms and mood in healthy adults.

Ablin, Jacob N, Clauw, Daniel J, Lyden, Angela K et al.·Clinical and experimental rheumatology·2013

This study tested what happens when healthy people stop exercising or reduce their sleep for 10 days. Researchers found that cutting sleep to 6 hours per night quickly caused symptoms like widespread pain, fatigue, and difficulty thinking clearly—similar to symptoms seen in chronic fatigue syndrome. Stopping exercise alone caused less noticeable effects, mainly just fatigue. Women developed these symptoms more easily than men when sleep or exercise was restricted.

Sleep

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cost-effectiveness of supported self-management for CFS/ME patients in primary care.

Richardson, Gerry, Epstein, David, Chew-Graham, Carolyn et al.·BMC family practice·2013

This study tested whether two nurse-led treatments for ME/CFS—pragmatic rehabilitation (exercise-based) and supportive listening (counseling-based)—were worth the cost compared to standard care from a GP. Both nurse-led treatments were more expensive than usual care and did not provide enough additional benefit to justify their cost, though some patients saw short-term fatigue improvements with rehabilitation.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: analysis of economic consequences alongside a randomized trial.

Fjorback, Lone Overby, Carstensen, Tina, Arendt, Mikkel et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study tested whether mindfulness therapy (a type of meditation and awareness training) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and similar conditions. After 15 months, fewer people in the mindfulness group needed disability pensions compared to those receiving standard care, and healthcare costs dropped for both groups despite the cost of the therapy itself.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up.

Fjorback, Lone Overby, Arendt, Mikkel, Ornbøl, Eva et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This randomized trial tested whether mindfulness therapy (a combination of mindfulness-based stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy) could help patients with bodily distress syndrome—a condition that includes chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. The study found that both mindfulness therapy and enhanced standard medical care produced similar improvements in physical health and symptoms over 15 months, though mindfulness therapy showed faster improvement in the early stages. The relevance of these findings to ME/CFS specifically remains unclear, as the study grouped ME/CFS with other conditions and did not report ME/CFS outcomes separately.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 modulates host inflammatory processes beyond the gut.

Groeger, David, O'Mahony, Liam, Murphy, Eileen F et al.·Gut microbes·2013

This study tested whether a beneficial gut bacterium called Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 could reduce inflammation in people with ME/CFS, along with people who have other inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis and psoriasis. Participants took either the bacterium or placebo for 6-8 weeks, and researchers measured inflammatory markers in their blood. The bacterium reduced multiple inflammatory markers across all three conditions, suggesting that gut bacteria can influence immune system activity throughout the whole body, not just in the gut.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Moderators of the treatment response to guided self-instruction for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tummers, Marcia, Knoop, Hans, van Dam, Arno et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study looked at which ME/CFS patients benefit most from a self-guided treatment that focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors related to fatigue. Researchers found that younger patients, those without significant depression, and those who don't tend to avoid activities responded better to this treatment. Patients with severe depression or who are older may need different or additional types of help.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized, sham-controlled trial with single-blinded design.

Ng, Siu-Man, Yiu, Yan-Mun·Alternative therapies in health and medicine·2013

Researchers tested whether acupuncture could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by comparing real acupuncture to fake acupuncture in 127 participants over 4 weeks. Both groups improved, but the real acupuncture group showed somewhat better results in reducing physical and mental fatigue and improving physical quality of life, though the improvements were modest.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome after treatments given in the PACE trial.

White, P D, Goldsmith, K, Johnson, A L et al.·Psychological medicine·2013

This study looked at how many ME/CFS patients got better after receiving different treatments over one year. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) helped about 22% of patients recover, while adaptive pacing therapy and standard medical care alone helped only about 7-8%. CBT and GET were significantly more effective than the other treatments tested.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

The feasibility and acceptability of conducting a trial of specialist medical care and the Lightning Process in children with chronic fatigue syndrome: feasibility randomized controlled trial (SMILE study).

Crawley, Esther, Mills, Nicola, Beasant, Lucy et al.·Trials·2013

This study tested whether it was possible to run a fair comparison trial between standard medical care and a treatment called the Lightning Process for children with ME/CFS. Researchers recruited 56 young people aged 12-18 from a specialist clinic and found that running this type of trial was workable and acceptable to patients. The study helped identify practical changes to improve how future trials should be conducted.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and volumetric measurements of the brain in patients with postcancer fatigue: a randomized controlled trial.

Prinsen, Hetty, Heerschap, Arend, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·PloS one·2013

This study looked at whether brain structure and chemistry differences seen in chronic fatigue syndrome patients also appear in cancer survivors with fatigue. Researchers compared fatigued and non-fatigued cancer survivors using brain imaging and measured whether cognitive behavior therapy changed these brain markers. They found no significant differences in brain structure or chemistry between fatigued and non-fatigued groups, and treatment did not change these markers even though fatigue improved.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Does neuropsychological test performance predict outcome of cognitive behavior therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and what is the role of underperformance?

Goedendorp, Martine M, van der Werf, Sieberen P, Bleijenberg, Gijs et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study looked at whether cognitive impairments (problems with thinking and memory) measured by tests could predict how well patients would improve with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for ME/CFS. Researchers also examined whether some patients might be doing poorly on tests due to not trying their best, rather than actual cognitive problems. The study found that while some patients did perform worse on these tests, this didn't predict whether CBT would help reduce fatigue or improve daily functioning—though patients who weren't trying their best were more likely to drop out of treatment.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Use of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in treatment of executive functioning deficits and chronic fatigue syndrome: a double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Young, Joel L·Psychiatry research·2013

This study tested whether a medication called lisdexamfetamine (LDX), which affects brain chemicals related to focus and attention, could help people with ME/CFS who struggle with executive functioning—skills like planning, organizing, and decision-making. Twenty-six participants took either the medication or a placebo for 6 weeks, and those on LDX showed significantly better improvements in executive functioning, fatigue, and pain compared to placebo.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Does acetaminophen activate endogenous pain inhibition in chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis? A double-blind randomized controlled cross-over trial.

Meeus, Mira, Ickmans, Kelly, Struyf, Filip et al.·Pain physician·2013

This study tested whether acetaminophen (Tylenol) could help improve how the body's natural pain-blocking systems work in people with ME/CFS combined with fibromyalgia, compared to people with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy people. Researchers measured pain responses before and after taking acetaminophen or a placebo. The results were mixed: acetaminophen slightly helped pain thresholds in ME/CFS patients but actually made things slightly worse in arthritis patients and healthy controls, suggesting the drug affects different people very differently.

Pain and Sensitization

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of valganciclovir in a subset of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Montoya, Jose G, Kogelnik, Andreas M, Bhangoo, Munveer et al.·Journal of medical virology·2013

This study tested whether a antiviral medication called valganciclovir could help ME/CFS patients who had evidence of past infection with two common viruses (HHV-6 and EBV). Thirty patients received either the medication or placebo for 6 months. Those taking valganciclovir showed improvements in mental fatigue, overall fatigue, and cognitive function within the first 3 months, and these improvements lasted through the end of the study. The medication also produced changes in immune cell counts that suggest the patient's immune system was shifting toward a different state.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for people with chronic fatigue syndrome still experiencing excessive fatigue after cognitive behaviour therapy: a pilot randomized study.

Rimes, Katharine A, Wingrove, Janet·Clinical psychology & psychotherapy·2013

This study tested whether a mindfulness and meditation-based therapy could help people with ME/CFS who weren't getting better with standard cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) alone. Researchers randomly gave some patients the new mindfulness therapy while others waited, then compared how they did. The mindfulness therapy helped reduce fatigue and improved mood, and patients found it helpful and acceptable.

Interventions

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Tryptophan depletion in chronic fatigue syndrome, a pilot cross-over study.

Qigong exercise alleviates fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, improves sleep quality, and shortens sleep latency in persons with chronic fatigue syndrome-like illness.

Agomelatine but not melatonin improves fatigue perception: a longitudinal proof-of-concept study.

Mediators of the effects on fatigue of pragmatic rehabilitation for chronic fatigue syndrome.

[The use of melatonin in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and circadian rhythm disorders in Parkinson's disease].

Effects of sleep restriction and exercise deprivation on somatic symptoms and mood in healthy adults.

Cost-effectiveness of supported self-management for CFS/ME patients in primary care.

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: analysis of economic consequences alongside a randomized trial.

Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up.

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 modulates host inflammatory processes beyond the gut.

Moderators of the treatment response to guided self-instruction for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized, sham-controlled trial with single-blinded design.

Recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome after treatments given in the PACE trial.

The feasibility and acceptability of conducting a trial of specialist medical care and the Lightning Process in children with chronic fatigue syndrome: feasibility randomized controlled trial (SMILE study).

Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and volumetric measurements of the brain in patients with postcancer fatigue: a randomized controlled trial.

Does neuropsychological test performance predict outcome of cognitive behavior therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and what is the role of underperformance?

Use of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in treatment of executive functioning deficits and chronic fatigue syndrome: a double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Does acetaminophen activate endogenous pain inhibition in chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis? A double-blind randomized controlled cross-over trial.

Randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of valganciclovir in a subset of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for people with chronic fatigue syndrome still experiencing excessive fatigue after cognitive behaviour therapy: a pilot randomized study.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research