ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

821–840 of 6,187 studies

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

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Differences in physical functioning between relatively active and passive patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Vos-Vromans, Desirée C W M, Huijnen, Ivan P J, Köke, Albère J A et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2013

This study looked at whether ME/CFS patients who are more physically active differ from those who are less active in how much they can actually do and how they feel about their abilities. Researchers gave 60 patients activity monitors to track their real-world movement and asked them questions about their functioning. They found that more active patients could stay upright longer and had more consistent activity levels day-to-day, but the two groups were surprisingly similar in most other ways.

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

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

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

[Observation on therapeutic effect of chronic fatigue syndrome treated with coiling dragon needling and moving cupping on back].

Xu, Wei, Zhou, Ri-Hua, Li, Lei et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2012

This study compared two treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome: acupuncture with cupping therapy on the back versus the steroid medication prednisone. After two weeks of treatment, the acupuncture and cupping group showed better improvement in fatigue scores (92% had good results) compared to the prednisone group (71% had good results).

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Homeopathy for mental fatigue: lessons from a randomized, triple blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial.

Dean, Michael Emmans, Karsandas, Raj, Bland, J Martin et al.·BMC complementary and alternative medicine·2012

This study tested whether a homeopathic remedy called Kali phos 6x could help people with mental fatigue focus better. Eighty-six university students and staff took either the remedy or a placebo, then did a concentration test. The remedy did not work better than placebo, and the researchers found that the test was too easy for most participants to show whether the remedy made a real difference.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

A randomized controlled trial of qigong exercise on fatigue symptoms, functioning, and telomerase activity in persons with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ho, Rainbow T H, Chan, Jessie S M, Wang, Chong-Wen et al.·Annals of behavioral medicine : a publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine·2012

This study tested whether qigong, a gentle Chinese exercise and breathing practice, could help people with chronic fatigue or ME/CFS. Sixty-four participants either did 4 months of qigong classes or waited on a list without treatment. People who did qigong reported feeling less tired and had better mood and mental function compared to those who waited, and their cells showed signs of increased telomerase activity, which may relate to cellular health.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioural treatment for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (FITNET): a randomised controlled trial.

Nijhof, Sanne L, Bleijenberg, Gijs, Uiterwaal, Cuno S P M et al.·Lancet (London, England)·2012

Researchers tested an internet-based program called FITNET designed specifically for teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Compared to standard care alone, teenagers who used FITNET showed much better outcomes at 6 months: 75% returned to full school attendance (versus only 16% in usual care), 85% had less severe fatigue (versus 27%), and 78% reported normal physical functioning (versus 20%). No serious side effects were reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Family-focused cognitive behaviour therapy versus psycho-education for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up of an RCT.

Lloyd, Samantha, Chalder, Trudie, Rimes, Katharine A·Behaviour research and therapy·2012

This study followed teenagers with ME/CFS for two years after receiving either family-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT, 13 sessions) or psycho-education (4 sessions). Both groups improved in school attendance, with about 90% and 84% attending school for at least 70% of the time. Teenagers in the CBT group showed better emotional and behavioral adjustment compared to the psycho-education group, and these improvements were maintained over time.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Implementing a minimal intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome in a mental health centre: a randomized controlled trial.

Tummers, M, Knoop, H, van Dam, A et al.·Psychological medicine·2012

This study tested whether a simplified, self-guided version of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) could help ME/CFS patients when delivered by nurses in a community mental health centre rather than by specialists in hospitals. After 6 months, patients who received this guided self-instruction reported significantly less fatigue compared to those on a waiting list. However, the improvement was mainly seen in patients who had physical disabilities at the start of the study.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in adults: face to face versus telephone treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

Burgess, Mary, Andiappan, Manoharan, Chalder, Trudie·Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy·2012

This study tested whether cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) delivered over the telephone works as well as face-to-face CBT for ME/CFS. Patients received either telephone sessions or in-person sessions, plus two face-to-face appointments for assessment and discharge. Both groups improved significantly in fatigue and physical functioning, and these improvements lasted for a year after treatment ended.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Mindfulness and bodily distress.

Fjorback, Lone Overby·Danish medical journal·2012

This study tested whether mindfulness training (a mental technique focused on present-moment awareness) could help people with bodily distress syndrome—a condition with persistent physical symptoms that doctors cannot fully explain, which includes ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers compared mindfulness training combined with cognitive therapy to specialized medical treatment in 119 patients. Both treatments helped, but mindfulness therapy showed faster improvements and fewer patients needed disability pensions.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial of the TLR-3 agonist rintatolimod in severe cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Strayer, David R, Carter, William A, Stouch, Bruce C et al.·PloS one·2012

This study tested whether a drug called rintatolimod (a molecule designed to activate immune responses) could help people with severe ME/CFS. Over 230 patients received either the drug or a placebo twice a week for 40 weeks. Patients who received rintatolimod improved their exercise tolerance by about 21%, and they also needed fewer medications to manage their symptoms.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Adaptive pacing, cognitive behaviour therapy, graded exercise, and specialist medical care for chronic fatigue syndrome: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

McCrone, Paul, Sharpe, Michael, Chalder, Trudie et al.·PloS one·2012

This study compared the cost and benefit of four different treatments for ME/CFS: specialist medical care alone, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), graded exercise therapy (GET), and adaptive pacing therapy (APT). Researchers found that CBT was the most cost-effective option, meaning it provided good health improvements relative to its cost, while APT was the least cost-effective. The study looked at both healthcare costs and broader societal costs like lost work time.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

The effect of homework compliance on treatment outcomes for participants with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hlavaty, Laura E, Brown, Molly M, Jason, Leonard A·Rehabilitation psychology·2011

This study looked at whether doing homework assignments as part of treatment for ME/CFS made a difference in how much patients improved. Researchers found that patients who completed most of their homework assignments (75% or more) showed better improvements in mental health, social life, and daily activities compared to those who did less homework. However, the homework didn't significantly improve physical symptoms or fatigue levels, suggesting that other types of treatment may be needed to address these core ME/CFS symptoms.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Socialization to the model: the active component in the therapeutic alliance? A preliminary study.

Daniels, Jo, Wearden, Alison J·Behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy·2011

This study looked at what helps build a good working relationship between ME/CFS patients and their therapists during treatment. Researchers found that when patients and therapists agreed on what the treatment goals were, the therapy relationship was stronger and patients were more cooperative. Understanding these factors may help improve how well therapy works for ME/CFS.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Comparison of adaptive pacing therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, graded exercise therapy, and specialist medical care for chronic fatigue syndrome (PACE): a randomised trial.

White, P D, Goldsmith, K A, Johnson, A L et al.·Lancet (London, England)·2011

This study compared four treatment approaches for ME/CFS: specialist medical care alone, specialist medical care plus adaptive pacing therapy (APT), cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), or graded exercise therapy (GET). The researchers found that CBT and GET, when added to standard medical care, helped reduce fatigue and improve physical function over 52 weeks. Adaptive pacing therapy did not show additional benefits compared to medical care alone. All treatments were considered safe based on the serious adverse events recorded.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture of Back-shu acupoints for chronic fatigue syndrome patients].

Zhang, Wei, Liu, Zhi-Shun, Xu, Hai-Rong et al.·Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research·2011

This study tested whether acupuncture at specific points on the back could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers treated 120 patients with either real acupuncture at traditional healing points or fake acupuncture at non-therapeutic locations. Both groups showed some improvement in fatigue and quality of life, but the real acupuncture group had better results and higher satisfaction after 4 weeks and 3 months.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Amisulpride vs. fluoxetine treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

Pardini, Matteo, Guida, Silvia, Primavera, Alberto et al.·European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·2011

This study tested two medications in 40 ME/CFS patients without depression: amisulpride (a low-dose psychiatric medication) and fluoxetine (an antidepressant). After 12 weeks, patients taking amisulpride reported feeling less fatigued and had fewer body aches, while those taking fluoxetine saw little improvement. Both medications were well-tolerated, suggesting amisulpride might be worth exploring further as a treatment option.

Interventions

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

Differences in physical functioning between relatively active and passive patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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

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

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

[Observation on therapeutic effect of chronic fatigue syndrome treated with coiling dragon needling and moving cupping on back].

Homeopathy for mental fatigue: lessons from a randomized, triple blind, placebo-controlled cross-over clinical trial.

A randomized controlled trial of qigong exercise on fatigue symptoms, functioning, and telomerase activity in persons with chronic fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome.

Effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioural treatment for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (FITNET): a randomised controlled trial.

Family-focused cognitive behaviour therapy versus psycho-education for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up of an RCT.

Implementing a minimal intervention for chronic fatigue syndrome in a mental health centre: a randomized controlled trial.

Cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome in adults: face to face versus telephone treatment: a randomized controlled trial.

Mindfulness and bodily distress.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial of the TLR-3 agonist rintatolimod in severe cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Adaptive pacing, cognitive behaviour therapy, graded exercise, and specialist medical care for chronic fatigue syndrome: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

The effect of homework compliance on treatment outcomes for participants with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Socialization to the model: the active component in the therapeutic alliance? A preliminary study.

Comparison of adaptive pacing therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, graded exercise therapy, and specialist medical care for chronic fatigue syndrome (PACE): a randomised trial.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture of Back-shu acupoints for chronic fatigue syndrome patients].

Amisulpride vs. fluoxetine treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot study.

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