ME/CFS: Past, Present and Future

Summary & key facts

This review examines the long-running debate about what causes myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The authors say history often shows an early “dogma” explanation is later replaced by scientific study, and they argue the same is happening for ME/CFS. They claim psychological explanations remain common despite what they call compelling scientific evidence to the contrary, and they call for more scientific research (rather than psychological theorising) to reach better understanding and treatment for patients.

Key facts:

• The paper is a review article that addresses controversies about the causes of ME/CFS rather than reporting new experimental data.
• The authors note a historical pattern where early dogma about a condition is later replaced by scientific understanding.
• The review states that supporters of psychological explanations for ME/CFS remain resistant, despite what the authors describe as compelling scientific evidence against those psychological accounts.
• The authors argue that further scientific research is the route needed to improve understanding and treatment of ME/CFS.
• The review frames the issue as important for patients, saying that only better scientific study will allow the long-suffering patient group to benefit.

Abstract

This review raises a number of compelling issues related to the condition of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Some historical perspective is necessary in order to highlight the nature of the controversy concerning its causation. Throughout history, a pattern tends to repeat itself when natural phenomena require explanation. Dogma usually arrives first, then it is eventually replaced by scientific understanding. The same pattern is unfolding in relation to ME/CFS, but supporters of the psychological dogma surrounding its causation remain stubbornly resistant, even in the face of compelling scientific evidence to the contrary. Acceptance of the latter is not just an academic issue; the route to proper understanding and treatment of ME/CFS is through further scientific research rather than psychological theorisation. Only then will a long-suffering patient group benefit.

Topics

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation

Categories

Health Sciences Medicine Psychiatry and Mental health

Tags

Artificial intelligence Causation Chronic fatigue syndrome Computer science Database Encephalomyelitis Epistemology Multiple sclerosis Perspective (graphical) Philosophy Psychiatry Psychology Relation (database) Scientific evidence