Research   

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-ME

Current release of research studies on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS-ME) and articles of interest.

P.A.N.D.O.R.A. supports the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Center/Gulf War Illness Research Center at the University of Miami VA Hospital, Miami, Florida. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to P.A.N.D.O.R.A., to be applied toward research, click here.

Miami Researchers are looking for patients for innovative CFS/ME research study

The University of Miami-Behavioral Medicine Research Center is conducting research studies on chronic fatigue syndrome that allows patients to participate in the comfort of their homes. It is called the TeleHealth Study.

FAQs

What:  The TeleHealth Study is a research project designed to help individuals with CFS understand and manage their condition. Participants will be provided with information about the nature and effects of stress reactions;   how to cope and manage stress;  and how to take better care of themselves via an innovative home-based program.  The TeleHealth study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with the University of Miami  Behavioral Medicine Research Center.

Who is eligible:  People who

1.  Have a diagnosis of CFS

2.  Are between the ages of 21-65

3.  Speak, read and write English fluently

4.  Have a telephone line

5.  Live in Dade or Broward counties for the next 9 months.

Payment:  $50 for each completed assessment

Contact:  To participate or for more information, call 305-243-1434 or 305-355-9057

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Good Day-Bad Day Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Study

A. Requirements: Participants must

1. Have CFS

2. Be between 18-55

3. Live in Miami-Dade or Broward Counties

B. What you will do:

1. First visit

2. "Good day"

3. "Bad day"

4. 18 months 

C. Healthy comparison group:

We would appreciate your help in recruiting healthy volunteers. If you know a relatively healthy person around your age who would be willing to participate in the study, please have them call. That person cannot be a blood relative or anyone who lives in your home. That person will come to the clinic 4 times also: first visit, then at 6, 12, and 18 months.

D. Questions? Want to sign up?

Please call, even if you think you might not qualify.

Lina Garcia, Study Director

Note:  Dra. Lina Garcia is a physician from Colombia who is working in getting her U.S. medical license. She is the first physician participating in P.A.N.D.O.R.A.'s educational mentoring program.

Phone 305-243-3291

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NEW!
Patterns of Microarray Gene Expression in Gulf War Illness Researcher:  Nancy Klimas, MD

Miami, Florida -

Purpose of study: 

To use a new method (called microarray) to find genetic markers that may be related to Gulf War Illness (GWI) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This will help us better identify and understand the likely causes of these illnesses. 

Who can participate:

(90 people  - 30 in each category)

Category 1.  Gulf War Veterans (men or women), about 30-55 years of age, who deployed in 1990 or 1991, and who have chronic symptoms of fatigue as well as problems in other areas such as pain, stiffness, depression, thinking, or memory. 

Category 2.  Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients.  In particular, we need some more men.

Category 3.  Healthy controls, preferably veterans.  

What participation involves:

1. You will make two visits to the Miami Veterans Hospital (1201 NW 16 Street, Miami Florida 33125).  The first visit will take 4 hours.  The second will take up to 7 hours. (Some of this time will be spent just resting.) These visits will be about one week apart, but the schedule is flexible if necessary. 

2. You will have interviews, fill out questionnaires, give blood samples, and do a short exercise challenge on a bike. 

How you will benefit:

1.  By helping researchers understand the causes of CFS and GWI, this study may help you and other patients in the future.

2. You will receive the results of a battery of immunological tests worth more than a thousand dollars.

3. You will be compensated for your time and travel. Contact information:Lottie Cason:  305-575-7000 ex. 6706, or lottie.cason@va.gov

Note:  If you are interested but think you don’t qualify, please feel free to call anyway.  

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The Nature & Management of Fatigue Study

This is an international, 12 month research study of fatigue in people living with chronic illness who are aged 18 or over. The aim is to describe fatigue in chronic illness and how people manage their fatigue.
The study has two areas, a survey to collect information on the nature and management of fatigue that anyone is invited to complete and one page for personal stories that people who are managing their fatigue or have recovered are invited to complete. Please visit each page to find out more about them. The study is also running an online forum on living with fatigue involving up to 50 people from New Zealand and around the world. The restricted login for this is situated at the left of the page.

The results of this study will be of particular interest to health professionals and will help to inform the development of intervention programmes for managing fatigue. Please be assured that all information submitted is anonymous and will be handled confidentially. Ethical approval has been granted by a national ethics committee.

If you would like to find out more about the study please contact fatigue.csmhs@otago.ac.nz

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The Niagara Health Study at Brock University, Canada

The study is on-line and it taks 30 minutes. It is aimed to evaluate how "close interpersonal relationships have an impact on healtn and well being."  Individuals with chronic illneses are encouraged to participate.

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  For current release of research studies on fibromyalgia (FM)and articles of interest.

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  For current release of research studies on Gulf War illnesses (GWI) and articles of interest.

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For current release of research studies on multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and articles of interest.

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For current release of research studies on chronic Lyme Disease/Lyme disease (CLD/LD) and articles of interest.

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P.A.N.D.O.R.A. supports the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Center at the University of Miami VA Hospital, Miami, Florida. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to P.A.N.D.O.R.A., to be applied toward research, click here.