Exercise as treatment for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome | Cochrane

Exercise as treatment for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome | Cochrane

Cochrane considers pulling review on chronic fatigue syndrome

Amid pressure from patients and activists, the prominent scientific journal Cochrane Review is planning to pull an evaluation of the evidence on chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS. Here's the rundown:

• The news: Reuters reports that editors at the journal asked the researchers who conducted the 2017 analysis — which the editors said received "extensive feedback" — to agree to let it be temporarily withdrawn. The Cochrane review suggested that exercise therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy might help some patients. Critics of that conclusion argue that ME/CFS is a physical condition, not a psychological one.
• The background: Research on ME/CFS — which the CDC says might affect as many as 2.5 million people in the U.S. — is highly contentious. In large part, that's because the root cause still is not well-understood.
• The response: One of the editors told Reuters the decision was "not about patient pressure." But scientist Lillebeth Larun, who spearheaded the review, said she disagrees with the decision and thinks it is "disproportionate and poorly justified."