ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

861–880 of 6,157 studies

Cognitive-behavioural therapy v. mirtazapine for chronic fatigue and neurasthenia: randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Stubhaug, Bjarte, Lie, Stein Atle, Ursin, Holger et al.·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2008

This study tested whether a structured talk therapy program (cognitive-behavioural therapy) and/or a medication called mirtazapine could help people with chronic fatigue. Seventy-two patients were divided into groups receiving either the therapy program, the medication, or a placebo (fake pill). The therapy program worked best in the first 12 weeks, but when patients combined therapy first with medication afterward, they showed the most improvement by week 24.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Effectiveness of distant healing for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomised controlled partially blinded trial (EUHEALS).

Walach, Harald, Bosch, Holger, Lewith, George et al.·Psychotherapy and psychosomatics·2008

This study tested whether distant healing (a spiritual healing practice) could help people with ME/CFS. Over 400 patients were randomly assigned to receive healing treatment immediately or wait 6 months, with some patients knowing which group they were in and others kept unaware. After 6 months, the study found no significant improvement in mental or physical health from the distant healing itself, but patients who knew they were receiving treatment and expected to improve actually did feel somewhat better.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Guided self-instructions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

Knoop, Hans, van der Meer, Jos W M, Bleijenberg, Gijs·The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science·2008

This study tested whether simple self-help instructions based on cognitive-behavioural therapy, combined with email support, could help people with ME/CFS. Researchers compared 85 people who received this intervention with 86 people on a waiting list. The results showed that people who received the self-instructions experienced meaningful reductions in fatigue and improved daily functioning, particularly those with less severe symptoms.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[Observation on therapeutic effect of multiple cupping at back-shu points on chronic fatigue syndrome].

Chen, Guo-Lian, Xiao, Guo-Min, Zheng, Xiu-Li·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2008

This study tested whether cupping therapy (a traditional Chinese medicine technique using suction cups on the back) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers compared 142 patients receiving cupping treatment to 49 patients receiving acupuncture. The cupping group showed a higher improvement rate (97.9%) compared to the acupuncture group (79.6%), and fatigue scores improved more in the cupping group.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue.

Malaguarnera, Michele, Gargante, Maria Pia, Cristaldi, Erika et al.·Archives of gerontology and geriatrics·2008

Researchers tested whether a supplement called acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) could help reduce fatigue in older adults (over 70 years old) who met criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome. After treatment, patients showed meaningful improvements in physical tiredness, mental fatigue, sleep problems, and thinking ability. The supplement appeared to be safe and well-tolerated.

Post-Exertional Malaise

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up of a randomized, controlled trial.

Knoop, Hans, Stulemeijer, Maja, de Jong, Lieke W A M et al.·Pediatrics·2008

This study followed teenagers with ME/CFS for about 2 years after they completed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The teenagers who received CBT stayed improved or got better at follow-up, with less fatigue and better school attendance compared to those who didn't receive CBT. Interestingly, if the teenager's mother had high fatigue levels at the start, the teen was less likely to improve with treatment.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Dietary intervention in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Hobday, R A, Thomas, S, O'Donovan, A et al.·Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association·2008

This study tested whether a low-sugar, low-yeast diet could reduce fatigue and improve quality of life in people with ME/CFS, based on the popular theory that an overgrowth of a yeast called Candida causes the condition. Over 24 weeks, some patients followed this restrictive diet while others received general healthy eating advice. The researchers found no significant difference between the two groups, and the strict diet was harder for people to stick to.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The effect of acclydine in chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

The, Gerard K H, Bleijenberg, Gijs, van der Meer, Jos W M·PLoS clinical trials·2007

Researchers tested whether a food supplement called Acclydine could help people with ME/CFS by increasing levels of a growth factor called IGF1. They compared 57 ME/CFS patients to healthy controls and found no difference in IGF1 levels between the groups. After 14 weeks of treatment, Acclydine did not improve fatigue, function, or IGF1 levels any better than placebo.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Valacyclovir treatment in Epstein-Barr virus subset chronic fatigue syndrome: thirty-six months follow-up.

Lerner, A Martin, Beqaj, Safedin H, Deeter, Robert G et al.·In vivo (Athens, Greece)·2007

This study tested whether the antiviral drug valacyclovir could help ME/CFS patients who had evidence of active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Patients taking valacyclovir showed slightly larger improvements in physical energy and activity levels compared to those taking placebo over 6 months, and these gains continued over 3 years of follow-up. Heart rhythm problems also improved, and markers of active EBV infection decreased in the blood.

E1 ReplicatedDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

Comparison of two exercise testing protocols in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Nijs, Jo, Zwinnen, Kim, Meeusen, Romain et al.·Journal of rehabilitation research and development·2007

This study compared two different ways of testing exercise capacity in women with ME/CFS: one that gradually increases in intensity over time (linear), and one that increases in steps. The researchers found that how the body uses oxygen and energy during exercise depended on which testing method was used, suggesting that the type of exercise test itself matters when measuring how ME/CFS patients perform.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredObservational

Is cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome also effective for pain symptoms?

Knoop, Hans, Stulemeijer, Maja, Prins, Judith B et al.·Behaviour research and therapy·2007

This study looked at whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy that helps change thought patterns and behaviors—could reduce pain in ME/CFS patients, even though it wasn't specifically designed to treat pain. Researchers found that patients who recovered from fatigue through CBT also experienced significant reductions in pain severity and the number of body areas affected by pain.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

[A clinical trial of acupuncture for treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong].

Yiu, Yan-mun, Ng, Siu-man, Tsui, Yin-ling et al.·Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine·2007

Researchers in Hong Kong tested whether acupuncture could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. They compared real acupuncture to fake acupuncture (needles that didn't pierce the skin) in 99 patients over 4 weeks. Both groups improved, but the real acupuncture group showed larger improvements in fatigue and quality of life, with no serious side effects reported.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The effect of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome on self-reported cognitive impairments and neuropsychological test performance.

Knoop, Hans, Prins, Judith B, Stulemeijer, Maja et al.·Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2007

People with ME/CFS often report problems with concentration and memory. This study tested whether cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)—a type of talk therapy—could help improve these cognitive problems. The researchers found that CBT did reduce how much patients *felt* their thinking was impaired, but it did not actually improve their performance on memory and attention tests.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Does methylphenidate reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

Blockmans, Daniel, Persoons, Philippe, Van Houdenhove, Boudewijn et al.·The American journal of medicine·2006

This study tested whether methylphenidate (a stimulant medication) could help reduce fatigue and improve concentration in ME/CFS patients. Sixty patients took either methylphenidate or placebo for 4 weeks each in alternating order. The medication did reduce fatigue and concentration problems compared to placebo, but only about 17–22% of patients showed clinically meaningful improvement.

Cognitive Impairment

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

The therapeutic effects of electrical acupuncture and auricular-plaster in 32 cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Yuemei, Li, Hongping, Liu, Shulan, Feng et al.·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·2006

This study tested whether electrical acupuncture combined with auricular plaster (a small patch placed on the ear) could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome. The treatment group showed improvement in about 94% of cases, compared to 75% in the group taking a standard medicine (hydrocortisone). The results suggest this traditional Chinese medicine approach may work better than the medication tested.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy by general practitioners for fatigue: a 4-year follow-up study.

Leone, Stephanie S, Huibers, Marcus J H, Kant, Ijmert et al.·Journal of psychosomatic research·2006

Researchers tested whether cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), a talk-based treatment, delivered by general doctors could help people with fatigue who were on sick leave. They followed up with patients 4 years after the original study ended. The results showed that CBT did not help—both the treatment group and the control group still had high fatigue and work absences after 4 years, suggesting that persistent fatigue has a poor long-term outlook.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomised controlled trial of an outpatient group programme.

O'Dowd, H, Gladwell, P, Rogers, C A et al.·Health technology assessment (Winchester, England)·2006

This study compared three approaches for managing ME/CFS: group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), education and support groups, and standard medical care. After 12 months, patients who received CBT showed improvements in mental health, fatigue levels, and walking ability compared to standard care, though improvements were modest and many patients did not fully recover.

Interventions

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized controlled trial of a natural killer cell stimulant (BioBran MGN-3) in chronic fatigue syndrome.

McDermott, C, Richards, S C M, Thomas, P W et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2006

This study tested whether a supplement called BioBran MGN-3 could reduce fatigue in people with ME/CFS by boosting immune cells called natural killer cells. Seventy-one patients took either the supplement or a placebo for 8 weeks. Both groups improved during the study, but the supplement group did not improve significantly more than the placebo group, suggesting the supplement itself was not the reason for improvement.

Immune System

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM not requiredRCT

Reliability of physiological, psychological and cognitive variables in chronic fatigue syndrome and the role of graded exercise.

Wallman, Karen E, Morton, Alan R, Goodman, Carmel et al.·Journal of sports science & medicine·2005

This study tracked ME/CFS patients' symptoms and physical abilities over several weeks before and after trying graded exercise therapy. Researchers found that mental and physical fatigue were the most unpredictable symptoms, fluctuating week to week, while other measurements stayed relatively stable. After doing graded exercise for 12 weeks, mental fatigue became more stable and predictable.

E1 ReplicatedTrialPEM unclearRCT

Acupuncture and Chinese patent drugs for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lijue, Zhao·Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan·2005

This study tested whether acupuncture and traditional Chinese herbal medicines could help people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers compared patients who received these treatments to a control group to see if they experienced improvements in their fatigue and symptoms.

Interventions

← Previous Next 20 studies →

Or browse by topic

PEM Immune Neuro Metabolic Biomarkers Severe ME Long COVID Cognitive

Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

Cognitive-behavioural therapy v. mirtazapine for chronic fatigue and neurasthenia: randomised placebo-controlled trial.

Effectiveness of distant healing for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomised controlled partially blinded trial (EUHEALS).

Guided self-instructions for people with chronic fatigue syndrome: randomised controlled trial.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of multiple cupping at back-shu points on chronic fatigue syndrome].

Acetyl L-carnitine (ALC) treatment in elderly patients with fatigue.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up of a randomized, controlled trial.

Dietary intervention in chronic fatigue syndrome.

The effect of acclydine in chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Valacyclovir treatment in Epstein-Barr virus subset chronic fatigue syndrome: thirty-six months follow-up.

Comparison of two exercise testing protocols in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Is cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome also effective for pain symptoms?

[A clinical trial of acupuncture for treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Hong Kong].

The effect of cognitive behaviour therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome on self-reported cognitive impairments and neuropsychological test performance.

Does methylphenidate reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

The therapeutic effects of electrical acupuncture and auricular-plaster in 32 cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Long-term efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy by general practitioners for fatigue: a 4-year follow-up study.

Cognitive behavioural therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome: a randomised controlled trial of an outpatient group programme.

A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized controlled trial of a natural killer cell stimulant (BioBran MGN-3) in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Reliability of physiological, psychological and cognitive variables in chronic fatigue syndrome and the role of graded exercise.

Acupuncture and Chinese patent drugs for treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Curated Collections

Neuroinflammation Evidence

Metabolism & Mitochondria

Biomarkers

PEM-Specific Research