The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patient and research communities are delighted the Australian parliament officially recognise the urgent need for biomedical research in the field, passing a motion in the Senate to mark International ME and CFS Awareness Day.
Scientists in Canberra and Melbourne have just published a study claiming to have found that activin B is a biomarker for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
Participants with ME/CFS were recruited using the Canadian Consensus Criteria.
Australian Senator Scott Ludlam asked about the progress of proposals to research ME and CFS and what can be done to educate GPs to prevent harmful treatments.
The University of South Australia will begin a research study that looks at how active video gaming can increase physical activity in adults with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.
The study has no set research criteria, despite studies that show 2 out of 5 patients are misdiagnosed with CFS/ME in Australia.
Researchers from Queensland’s Griffith University recently identified a dysfunctional cell receptor in the immune system of people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Fifteen people meeting the Fukuda criteria for CFS were studied, against 25 controls. Considering the small size of the study, the results cannot be considered definitive.
An Australian university is trialling a program to train health professionals in administering graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy to roll it out nationally and internationally, despite the evidence of harm. Here is the response to a petition to ask them to stop.
The 2011 PACE trial examined the effect of graded exercise therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy against standard medical care, but refused to share their data.
West Australian Alem Matthees filed a UK Freedom of Information Act. The ruling released the data and further examination found glaring problems with the study.
Australia’s UNSW is trialling an education module treating chronic fatigue syndrome patients with graded exercise therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (GET/CBT), despite the evidence showing these therapies have no benefit and may cause permanent harm. Sign the petition!
Melbourne’s MillionsMissing will be on the steps of Parliament House, Spring St, Melbourne, from 1pm to 2pm on Wednesday 12 October 2016.
Melbourne’s #MillionsMissing event is on 25 May from 12-2pm on the lawns of Melbourne’s State Library of Victoria, Australia. Part of the globlal protest movement!
