Research scope
Focus on biomedical research and research into repurposing medicines used to treat other conditions with overlaps in symptomatology, rather than psychosocial research. There is an urgent need to identify biomarkers for this illness, and some respondents felt that psychological research into ME/CFS should be paused until we have a better understanding of biological aspects of the disease.
Other respondents, however, expressed concern about the general trajectory of research towards a purely biomedical focus and away from any consideration about the importance of biopsychosocial factors in this condition.
Compose a list of all aspects that should be researched, including impact of childhood trauma. Research should also investigate the impact of stress and socio-economic factors on recovery.
Research and understanding of other overlapping functional conditions (such as functional neurologic disorder or irritable bowel syndrome) may have a higher yield.
Research into different types of ME/CFS (such as severe) and age groups (such as children and young people), as well as
more research into those who are recovering or have recovered from ME/CFS and long COVID, is needed.
Decode ME was given as a great example of a successful study.
Openness required to ‘avoid tunnel vision’, including looking beyond long COVID as a trigger.
Combine research into long COVID and ME/CFS.
Research to assess the current disease burden of ME.
Research into the harms suffered by ME/CFS patients due to relapses, disease progression and trauma caused by process deadlines, the assessment or review process, issues with duration, behaviours, environment, poor understanding and so on.
The need for research that could have quick results, including the benefits of taking supplements. More research into complementary medicine.
Focusing on a neuroplasticity-based approach was described as helpful. More research is needed on acupuncture and vagus nerve damage.