A decision to cancel a planned update of a Cochrane systematic review of exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome has met with anger from a group advising the review and the patient community.
Jacqui Wise, BMJ
On the 27th January 2025, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published an article titled, ‘Chronic fatigue syndrome: Outcry over Cochrane decision to abandon review of exercise therapy.' The article details the controversy over Cochrane's decision not to proceed with an update of the review ‘Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome,' which supports the use of exercise therapy for ME/CFS.
The announcement that they would no-longer be updating the review came in December 2024, and there have been no further updates since.
To sign the petition asking Cochrane to withdraw the harmful 2019 ‘Exercise therapy for CFS' review, please see the link.
BMJ Article Extracts
A decision to cancel a planned update of a Cochrane systematic review of exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome has met with anger from a group advising the review and the patient community.
The decision has reignited calls for the review, which includes studies only up to May 2014, to be withdrawn for being outdated and misleading.
The review recommends exercise therapy to treat myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), concluding that this “probably has a positive effect on fatigue in adults compared to usual care or passive therapies.”
However, this treatment approach is controversial and has been criticised by patient groups who say that it can make symptoms worse. Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, published in 2021, specifically advise against graded exercise therapy.
MEA Comment
This Cochrane review, which supports the use of exercise therapy for people with ME/CFS, is outdated, misleading and harmful to people with ME/CFS.
The recommendation is not consistent with guidance on activity and energy management in the 2021 NICE guideline – which has a specific recommendation to not treat ME/CFS with exercise therapy.
The Cochrane review on exercise therapy for ME/CFS must therefore be withdrawn without further delay.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
Further media coverage
- Petition to Cochrane: Withdraw the review on ‘Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome’ | December 17, 2024
- Amended Cochrane Review: ‘Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome’ | October 03, 2019
- Retraction Watch: Thousands demand withdrawal of review article recommending exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome | January 23, 2025