Here are some of the questions we get frequently asked, so you can get to know more about the work we are doing.

How will my donation be spent?

Our main priority at the moment is to raise enough funds to maintain our basic science research in ME/CFS at the University of Oxford in addition to starting a follow-up project to look at how useful a technology (Raman Microscopy) is as a test to diagnose patients.

Why are we based at the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health (NDWRH)?

The reason is largely historical. Dr Karl Morten's expertise in mitochondrial research meant working closely with NDWRH and the Department of Paediatrics based at the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Why are we fundraising?

The average amount of money spent per patient with this disease by the UK funding body; the Medical Research Council, is less than £1, [ref] despite costing the economy £3.3 billion every year. ME/CFS is stigmatised due to the absence of a diagnostic test and the absence of effective treatments.

Who are we collaborating with?

Our colleagues in Torun, Poland (Zalewski Group) have extensive expertise in performing comprehensive profiling of the autonomic nervous system, which has been demonstrated to be dysregulated in ME/CFS. In addition, they perform rigorous clinical assessments to ensure no exclusionary diagnosis can be made.

Our other colleagues based in Valencia, Spain (Oltra Group), have a primary focus studying exosomes and microvesicles in addition to comprehensive miRNA profiling and transposable elements (capable of creating or reversing mutations in parts of DNA). 

What is your stand on graded exercise therapy (GET) or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for ME/CFS?

We do not endorse GET or CBT for ME/CFS. Please have a look at these resources that proved GET to be detrimental to patients with ME/CFS. The CDC has also removed its recommendations for GET and CBT for ME/CFS from their website in 2017.

• Wilshire, C.E., Kindlon, T., Courtney, R. et al (2018). Rethinking the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome—a reanalysis and evaluation of findings from a recent major trial of graded exercise and CBT. BMC Psychol 6, 6. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-018-0218-3
• Vink, M., & Vink-Niese, A. (2018). Graded exercise therapy for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is not effective and unsafe. Re-analysis of a Cochrane review. Health Psychology Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102918805187​
• Geraghty, K., Hann, M., & Kurtev, S. (2019). Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome patients’ reports of symptom changes following cognitive behavioural therapy, graded exercise therapy and pacing treatments: Analysis of a primary survey compared with secondary surveys. Journal of Health Psychology, 24(10), 1318–1333. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105317726152
• BMJ Blog—Commentary by Michiel Tack (2019): Why Graded Exercise Therapy and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy are Controversial in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Action For ME UK: Link on GET and CBT for ME/CFS.
• ME Action: GET and CBT are not safe for ME

References

[1] Komaroff AL, Fagioli LR, Doolittle TH, et al. Health status in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and in general population and disease comparison groups. Am J Med 1996; 101: 281–90.