Chronic fatigue syndrome is a medical condition characterised by persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms that last for at least six months and cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition.
Also known as: CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Published research studies are articles that present the findings of original research that has undergone a peer-review process and has been made publicly available in scholarly journals, books or other media.
2020 Dec 02 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Zhang X, Wang M, Zhou S
Syndrome Differentiation Chronic Fatigue SyndromeTreatments according to traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation can provide patients with individualized treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome.
2020 Jun 25 Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine Kim J, Song J, Nam D
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Xiao Yao San Chronic Fatigue SyndromeXiao Yao San and its modifications were effective for the improvement of general symptoms and fatigue severity in chronic fatigue syndrome post-treatment.
2020 May 31 Herbal Formula Science Nam, Donghyun
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Gui Pi Tang Chronic Fatigue SyndromeGui Pi Tang may be beneficial for relieving and managing the general symptoms in CFS patients.
2020 Apr 1 Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Yin ZH, Wang LJ, Cheng Y, Chen J, Hong XJ, Zhao L, et al.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Chronic Fatigue SyndromeAcupuncture on treating chronic fatigue syndrome has the advantage for efficacy and safety compared to conventional treatments such as drugs, counselling psychology and physical therapy.
2020 Jan 6 Journal of Translational Medicine Kim, DY., Lee, JS., Park, SY. et al.
Systematic Review Chronic Fatigue SyndromeInsights are moderated by the Research Hub team and offer an at-a-glance overview of interesting research findings.
Currently, there are many methods for treating CFS with TCM, showing its advantages. On one hand, treatments according to syndrome differentiation are diverse and involve herbal decoctions and proprietary Chinese medicines. External treatments include moxibustion, acupuncture, tuina, cupping, and other treatments. Combination therapies include two or more external treatments combined and internal and external treatments combined, which are often better than monotherapies and can remedy deficiencies. However, the clinical manifestations of CFS are different. Although fatigue is the main manifestation, there are individual differences in the appearance of insomnia or muscle pain in some patients. Treatments according to syndrome differentiation can provide patients with individualized treatments. On the other hand, TCM often has the advantages of simplicity, effectiveness, convenience, and a lower cost.
We performed selection/exclusion process from the found studies to conform with prespecified criteria, and assessed the final included trials according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The included studies were classified based on the interventions in experimental and control group.
Eight randomized controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial (total 921 participants) were eligible and their results were synthesized in the meta analysis. The synthesis showed a considerable effect of Soyo-san and its modifications on improvement of general symptoms and fatigue severity in CFS patients, while effect on depression and anxiety were inconclusive.
The results of eight randomized controlled trials (n=596) were included in the meta-analysis. The results of the synthesis showed Gwibitang is beneficial substantially for relieving and managing the general symptoms, and its heterogeneity was not in important level. Gwibitang was beneficial for alleviating fatigue, but its certainty was low.
We found that acupuncture on treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has the advantage for efficacy and safety compared to conventional treatments such as drugs, counseling psychology and physical therapy. Acupuncture has shown to have less side effects and drug resistance. A combined therapy of Western medicine and Chinese medicine has proven to be most effective for patients.
Sixteen studies with 1346 subjects were included. Most studies had low methodological quality. Meta-analyses showed a favourable effect of acupuncture on overall response rate compared with sham acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture also appeared to significantly reduce fatigue severity measured by Chalder’s Fatigue Scale and the Fatigue Severity Scale compared with other types of control.
Our review indicated that acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture and other interventions (Chinese herbal medicine, mainly), but no firm conclusion could be reached owing to limited data, poor quality and potentially exaggerated effect size evaluation. Further large, rigorously designed and reported RCTs are required.
Review articles summarise and critically evaluate the current state of research on a specific topic or field by synthesising multiple primary research studies.
2020 Jun 25 Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine Kim J, Song J, Nam D
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Xiao Yao San Chronic Fatigue SyndromeXiao Yao San and its modifications were effective for the improvement of general symptoms and fatigue severity in chronic fatigue syndrome post-treatment.
2020 May 31 Herbal Formula Science Nam, Donghyun
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Gui Pi Tang Chronic Fatigue SyndromeGui Pi Tang may be beneficial for relieving and managing the general symptoms in CFS patients.
2020 Apr 1 Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine Yin ZH, Wang LJ, Cheng Y, Chen J, Hong XJ, Zhao L, et al.
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Chronic Fatigue SyndromeAcupuncture on treating chronic fatigue syndrome has the advantage for efficacy and safety compared to conventional treatments such as drugs, counselling psychology and physical therapy.
2020 Jan 6 Journal of Translational Medicine Kim, DY., Lee, JS., Park, SY. et al.
Systematic Review Chronic Fatigue SyndromeRegarding RCTs of alternative medicines such as acupuncture, qigong, and abdominal tuina, 10 RCTs were selected in our review process, but 6 were excluded due to low quality (a Jadad score less than 3) or too few participants. —Jinnan C 13 Sep 2021
2019 Jun 17 Acupuncture in Medicine Zhang Q, Gong J, Dong H, Xu S, Wang W, Huang G
Systematic Review Meta-Analysis Chronic Fatigue SyndromeAcupuncture appeared to significantly reduce fatigue severity measured by Chalder's Fatigue Scale and the Fatigue Severity Scale compared with other types of control.
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people and are conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments or interventions, such as drugs, medical devices, or behavioural therapies.
Published study protocols are detailed plans that outline the objectives, methodology, statistical analyses, and organisation of a research study that have been made publicly available for others to review and use as a reference.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is a long-term illness characterised by extreme fatigue or tiredness after physical or mental activities that doesn't go away with rest and can't be explained by an underlying medical condition.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can vary from person to person, and the severity of symptoms can fluctuate from day to day.
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Regarding RCTs of alternative medicines such as acupuncture, qigong, and abdominal tuina, 10 RCTs were selected in our review process, but 6 were excluded due to low quality (a Jadad score less than 3) or too few participants. —Jinnan C 13 Sep 2021