ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

81–100 of 742 studies

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Where will the drugs come from?

Toogood, Peter L, Clauw, Daniel J, Phadke, Sameer et al.·Pharmacological research·2021

ME/CFS is a serious illness causing extreme fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, along with pain, sleep problems, and difficulty thinking clearly. This review looks at what we currently know about ME/CFS, how doctors diagnose it, and what treatments exist today. The authors examined past research to identify promising targets for new medicines that could help treat ME/CFS in the future.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Wormgoor, Marjon E A, Rodenburg, Sanne C·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This review looked at 18 studies testing physiotherapy (physical therapy) for ME/CFS, paying special attention to post-exertional malaise (PEM)—the worsening of symptoms after activity that defines ME. The researchers found that treatments appearing to help patients with general chronic fatigue showed less benefit when studied in patients with stricter ME/CFS definitions that include PEM, and may actually cause harm in ME patients. The study warns that physical therapy approaches effective for milder conditions should not be used for ME patients with prominent PEM.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Elevated Perceived Exertion in People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Meta-analysis.

Barhorst, Ellen E, Andrae, William E, Rayne, Tessa J et al.·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2020

This study reviewed 37 research papers that measured how hard exercise feels to people with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia compared to healthy people. The researchers found that people with these conditions consistently felt that exercise required significantly more effort, even when their heart rates and physical performance were similar to healthy controls. This difference was large and consistent across most studies, suggesting that something about how the brain perceives effort may be affected in these illnesses.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Environmental, Neuro-immune, and Neuro-oxidative Stress Interactions in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Bjørklund, Geir, Dadar, Maryam, Pivina, Lyudmila et al.·Molecular neurobiology·2020

This review looked at how ME/CFS develops by examining immune system problems, oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules), infections, and nutritional issues. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS often have changes in their immune cells and proteins, along with signs of cellular damage that could explain fatigue, pain, and other symptoms. The study suggests that treatments targeting oxidative stress and nutrition might help, though more research is needed.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredCommentary

Graded exercise therapy does not restore the ability to work in ME/CFS - Rethinking of a Cochrane review.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Friso·Work (Reading, Mass.)·2020

This study examined whether graded exercise therapy (GET)—a treatment that gradually increases physical activity—actually helps people with ME/CFS return to work. The researchers found that while previous reviews claimed GET improved tiredness, these claims were based on unreliable self-reported outcomes in studies with serious flaws. When looking at objective measures and real-world outcomes, GET did not help people work better and may have harmed at least half of patients.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

The Prospects of the Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in ME/CFS Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Lim, Eun-Jin, Kang, Eun-Bum, Jang, Eun-Su et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2020

Researchers reviewed studies testing a two-day exercise test (called CPET) that might help diagnose ME/CFS by measuring how the body performs differently on day two compared to day one. In ME/CFS patients, performance dropped on day two, while it improved in healthy people—suggesting this test could objectively measure the characteristic crash (postexertional malaise) that follows exertion in ME/CFS. The test showed promise, but more large-scale studies are needed before it can be used clinically.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Review of case definitions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Lim, Eun-Jin, Son, Chang-Gue·Journal of translational medicine·2020

This study reviewed how ME/CFS has been defined and diagnosed over the past 34 years, examining 25 different case definitions created by researchers. The researchers found that these definitions fall into four main categories and emphasize different key symptoms—some focus on a viral cause, others on inflammation, and some on multiple system problems. Understanding these different approaches helps doctors and patients recognize that ME/CFS is complex and may require more than one way to diagnose it.

Cognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

Meta-analysis investigating post-exertional malaise between patients and controls.

Brown, Abigail, Jason, Leonard A·Journal of health psychology·2020

This study looked at research from multiple studies to understand how common post-exertional malaise (PEM) is in people with ME/CFS. Post-exertional malaise is when symptoms get worse after physical or mental activity. The researchers found that people with ME/CFS are about 10 times more likely to experience post-exertional malaise than people without the condition, suggesting it is a key feature of ME/CFS.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome].

Brinth, Louise, Nielsen, Henrik, Varming, Kim et al.·Ugeskrift for laeger·2019

ME/CFS is a serious condition that causes extreme tiredness affecting both mind and body, along with pain, sleep problems, difficulty thinking clearly, and a symptom called post-exertional malaise where activity makes symptoms worse. Research has found changes in patients' cells, hormones, immune systems, and how their bodies process energy, which could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat this condition.

BiomarkersEnergy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Chronotropic Intolerance: An Overlooked Determinant of Symptoms and Activity Limitation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Davenport, Todd E, Lehnen, Mary, Stevens, Staci R et al.·Frontiers in pediatrics·2019

This review examines how people with ME/CFS respond to exercise differently than healthy people. Researchers found that during exercise tests, people with ME/CFS have a blunted heart rate response—their heart rate doesn't increase as much as expected for the amount of work they're doing. This abnormal response, called chronotropic intolerance, may help explain why exercise worsens symptoms in ME/CFS patients.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Pathological Mechanisms Underlying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Missailidis, Daniel, Annesley, Sarah J, Fisher, Paul R·Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)·2019

ME/CFS is a complex condition affecting multiple body systems, and researchers are working to understand what causes it. This review shows that evidence points to problems in the immune system, nervous system, muscle function, metabolism, and gut health in ME/CFS patients. Because patients experience different symptoms and may develop the condition in different ways, finding reliable diagnostic tests remains a key challenge that researchers are actively pursuing.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearMeta-Analysis

Peak Oxygen Uptake in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Meta-Analysis.

Franklin, John Derek, Atkinson, Greg, Atkinson, Janet M et al.·International journal of sports medicine·2019

This research review analyzed 32 studies comparing how much oxygen people with ME/CFS can use during maximum exercise compared to healthy people. On average, people with ME/CFS used about 5 milliliters less oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute than healthy controls—a meaningful difference that likely affects real-world functioning. This reduced oxygen capacity is one of the measurable physical differences between ME/CFS patients and healthy individuals.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Larun, Lillebeth, Brurberg, Kjetil G, Odgaard-Jensen, Jan et al.·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·2019

This review looked at whether exercise therapy helps people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that exercise probably reduces tiredness compared to usual care, and may slightly improve physical function and sleep. However, the long-term benefits are unclear, and the evidence comparing exercise to other treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy is limited.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredSystematic-Review

Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

Vink, Mark, Vink-Niese, Alexandra·Health psychology open·2018

This study re-examined a major 2017 review that had concluded graded exercise therapy (GET) was helpful for ME/CFS. The researchers found serious problems with that review's methods and conclusions. They concluded there is no reliable evidence that GET works for ME/CFS, and safety concerns were not properly reported in the original trials.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

[Neurologic Abnormalities in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Review].

Komaroff, Anthony L, Takahashi, Ryosuke, Yamamura, Takashi et al.·Brain and nerve = Shinkei kenkyu no shinpo·2018

This review examines objective, measurable evidence that ME/CFS is a real physical illness, not just a psychological condition. Researchers looked at studies showing that ME/CFS involves problems with the brain, immune system, and how the body uses energy. They found that immune activation—where the body's defense system becomes overactive—may be a key driver of ME/CFS symptoms.

Immune SystemCognitive ImpairmentPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Exercise and the Athlete With Infectious Mononucleosis.

Shephard, Roy J·Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine·2017

This review examines how infectious mononucleosis (a viral illness caused by Epstein-Barr virus) affects young athletes and whether it can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome. The main finding is that with proper diagnosis and a few weeks of rest followed by gradual return to activity, most athletes recover fully within 2-3 months, and serious complications like splenic rupture are rare.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM requiredMeta-Analysis

Effect of Acute Exercise on Fatigue in People with ME/CFS/SEID: A Meta-analysis.

Loy, Bryan D, O'Connor, Patrick J, Dishman, Rodney K·Medicine and science in sports and exercise·2016

This review of seven studies looked at how a single exercise session affects fatigue in people with ME/CFS. The combined results showed that exercise increased fatigue more in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy controls. Importantly, fatigue got worse over time—it was most noticeable 4 or more hours after exercise ended, rather than immediately during or right after the activity stopped.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusReviewPEM not requiredSystematic-Review

Chronic fatigue syndrome and circulating cytokines: A systematic review.

Blundell, S, Ray, K K, Buckland, M et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2015

Researchers reviewed 38 studies looking at whether immune proteins called cytokines are elevated in people with ME/CFS. They found that one specific cytokine, TGF-β, was consistently higher in people with ME/CFS compared to healthy people in about 63% of studies. However, most other immune proteins measured were normal, and exercise did not change cytokine levels differently between people with ME/CFS and healthy controls.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness

Institute of Medicine Committee on the Diagnostic Criteria for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome·National Academies Press·2015

The US Institute of Medicine reviewed over 9,000 scientific articles to establish new diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. The report introduced SEID (Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease) as a proposed name and established that ME/CFS is a serious, chronic, complex systemic disease. New criteria require PEM, unrefreshing sleep, plus cognitive impairment or orthostatic intolerance.

DiagnosticsPost-Exertional Malaise

E0 ConsensusGuidelinePEM requiredGuideline

Beyond myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an IOM report on redefining an illness.

Clayton, Ellen Wright·JAMA·2015

This influential 2015 report from the Institute of Medicine recommended that doctors use a new name and definition for ME/CFS to better reflect what the illness actually is. The report emphasized that ME/CFS is a serious medical condition with real biological causes, not a psychological problem. It called for improved recognition, diagnosis, and research to help the millions of people living with this debilitating illness.

Post-Exertional Malaise

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Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS): Where will the drugs come from?

The evidence base for physiotherapy in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome when considering post-exertional malaise: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Elevated Perceived Exertion in People with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: A Meta-analysis.

Environmental, Neuro-immune, and Neuro-oxidative Stress Interactions in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Graded exercise therapy does not restore the ability to work in ME/CFS - Rethinking of a Cochrane review.

The Prospects of the Two-Day Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) in ME/CFS Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

Review of case definitions for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Meta-analysis investigating post-exertional malaise between patients and controls.

[Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome].

Chronotropic Intolerance: An Overlooked Determinant of Symptoms and Activity Limitation in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Pathological Mechanisms Underlying Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Peak Oxygen Uptake in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Meta-Analysis.

Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review.

[Neurologic Abnormalities in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Review].

Exercise and the Athlete With Infectious Mononucleosis.

Effect of Acute Exercise on Fatigue in People with ME/CFS/SEID: A Meta-analysis.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and circulating cytokines: A systematic review.

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Redefining an Illness

Beyond myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: an IOM report on redefining an illness.

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