Clinical trials & studies

TRI-ME: trimetazidine for ME/CFS

Trimetazidine to treat ME/CFS: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled efficacy trial

Tests whether trimetazidine, a heart medicine that helps cells burn fuel more efficiently (approved for angina in Europe and Asia), improves ME/CFS symptoms. Participants take tablets for 8 weeks and complete questionnaires.

Testing

Trimetazidine 35 mg twice daily for 8 weeks vs placebo

Design

Phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (target 290 people)

Where

Barwon Health, Geelong VIC; Swinburne University, Hawthorn VIC

Who can join

Age 18+, meets the Canadian Consensus Criteria for ME/CFS, and has a current treating doctor. Not eligible: pregnancy or breastfeeding, severe kidney disease, Parkinson’s or other movement disorders (including restless legs), MAOI medications, or being in another trial.

Run by

Deakin University (IMPACT) · funded by the NHMRC

Contact

TRI-ME study team

Recruiting until 2029. Currently Victoria only. It’s worth asking whether interstate participation is possible.

TreatMELC: low-dose naltrexone for ME/CFS and Long COVID

Low Dose Naltrexone for ME/CFS and Long COVID (Griffith University NCNED)

A placebo-controlled trial of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) from Griffith University’s NCNED, the team behind the TRPM3 ion channel research. It will also look at immune, ion channel and brain measures to find a treatment biomarker. Capsules are posted to participants.

Testing

LDN starting at 1.5 mg/day, increasing weekly to 4.5–6 mg/day, for 12 weeks vs placebo

Design

Phase 1, placebo-controlled (target 56 people)

Where

Recruiting from NSW, QLD and VIC

Who can join

Age 18–65, BMI 18.5–29.9. Either ME/CFS diagnosed by a doctor and meeting the Canadian and/or International Consensus Criteria, or Long COVID with brain fog, sleep problems and/or body pain. You’re likely to be ineligible if you already take LDN.

Run by

Griffith University · funded by the Stafford Fox Medical Research Foundation

Contact

Prof Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik

NCNED confirmed in September 2026 that this trial hasn’t started yet. To hear when it opens, join the NCNED research registry. The general NCNED line, (07) 5678 9283 or ncned@griffith.edu.au, can also help.

Griffith NCNED research studies & surveys

Griffith University’s National Centre for Neuroimmunology and Emerging Diseases runs a rolling programme of mechanism studies (blood tests of ion channels and genetics, brain MRI) and online surveys (quality of life, economic impact, gut symptoms). Some include free immune testing or MRI. Join NCNED’s research registry (the “Study website” button) to be contacted about studies you may be eligible for.

Testing

Blood tests, MRI and surveys. No treatment.

Design

Observational (several studies)

Where

Gold Coast QLD; surveys online

Who can join

Usually age 18–60 or 18–65, Australian resident, non-smoker, not pregnant. People with ME/CFS, Long COVID or healthy volunteers, depending on the study.

Run by

Griffith University NCNED

Contact

NCNED

The research registry link was provided directly by NCNED (September 2026).

AusME Registry & Biobank

Australia’s national ME/CFS and Long COVID registry and biobank, run by Emerge Australia. You fill in online surveys every few months, with optional blood donation, and your data supports Australian research. More than 2,700 people have joined.

Testing

Online surveys; optional blood sample

Design

Registry / biobank

Where

Online, Australia-wide

Who can join

Age 12+ living in Australia with ME/CFS or Long COVID, or healthy volunteers.

Run by

Emerge Australia with La Trobe University

Contact

Emerge Australia (AusME)

When calling, press 3 for research and biobank (Tue–Thu, 8am–3:30pm AEDT).

NALCOVID: low-dose naltrexone for Long COVID

Griffith University’s placebo-controlled trial of LDN for Long COVID brain fog, sleep problems and pain. People previously diagnosed with ME/CFS are excluded.

Testing

LDN 1.5 mg/day, increasing to 4–6 mg/day, nightly for 12 weeks vs placebo

Design

Phase 1, placebo-controlled (target 56 people)

Where

National, remote participation

Who can join

Age 18–65 with Long COVID plus brain fog, sleep problems and/or body pain. Excludes anyone diagnosed with ME/CFS.

Run by

Griffith University NCNED

Contact

NCNED

The registry still says recruiting but hasn’t been updated since June 2024, so recruitment has probably finished. Placebo participants can start LDN afterwards.

REVERSE-LC: baricitinib for Long COVID

A large NIH-funded trial of baricitinib, an anti-inflammatory drug (JAK inhibitor), mainly for Long COVID thinking and memory problems. Researchers note that EBV reactivation is linked to Long COVID fatigue.

Testing

Baricitinib 4 mg daily for 24 weeks vs placebo

Design

Phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (target 550)

Where

17 US sites including Vanderbilt, UCLA, UCSF, Yale, Emory and Brigham & Women's

Who can join

Age 18+, confirmed COVID infection at least 6 months ago, with Long COVID symptoms (mainly thinking and memory problems) for 6+ months that affect daily life. In-person visits required.

Run by

Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH RECOVER-TLC

Contact

Study coordinating centre

Results expected 2027.

RECOVER-TLC: NIH Long COVID treatment trials

The US National Institutes of Health programme of Long COVID treatment trials. REVERSE-LC (above) is enrolling now. Three more are expected to open later in 2026: Brave-LC (low-dose naltrexone, ages 6–25), Tame-LC (semaglutide) and Block-LC (stellate ganglion block).

Testing

Several drugs and procedures

Design

Programme of randomised trials

Where

Multiple US sites

Who can join

Depends on the trial. Full criteria for the three new trials haven’t been published yet.

Run by

NIH / Foundation for the NIH

Contact

RECOVER research team

PIONEER: inebilizumab (B-cell depletion)

CD19 B-cell depletion with inebilizumab in PAIS-ME/CFS (Charité Berlin)

Tests inebilizumab, which removes antibody-producing B cells, in people with ME/CFS who improved after immunoadsorption (blood filtering) and then relapsed. It tests the idea that autoantibodies drive the illness in some patients.

Testing

Inebilizumab vs placebo

Design

Phase 2b, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (target 38)

Where

Charité, Berlin

Who can join

Age 18–65, post-infectious ME/CFS with raised β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies. Only people who took part in Charité’s earlier immunoadsorption studies and improved, then worsened.

Run by

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Contact

Dr Judith Bellmann-Strobl

Expected to start December 2026.

PAIS-AriSE: low-dose aripiprazole

The first placebo-controlled trial of low-dose aripiprazole (1 mg), after a Stanford clinic review suggested it helped fatigue, brain fog and sleep. For people with post-infectious syndromes, including post-COVID.

Testing

Aripiprazole 1 mg vs placebo

Design

Phase 2a, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (target 138)

Where

Charité, Berlin

Who can join

Adults with a post-infectious syndrome or post-COVID condition for 3+ months, with neuropsychiatric symptoms such as brain fog. Excludes Bell score below 30, current antipsychotic use, or serious psychiatric illness in the past 10 years.

Run by

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Contact

PD Dr Christiana Franke; Dr Fabian Bösl

Expected to start October 2026. ME/CFS isn’t a formal entry requirement.

IMPACT: immunoadsorption in autoantibody-positive ME/CFS

Follows people with post-infectious ME/CFS who test positive for certain autoantibodies and receive immunoadsorption (5 days of blood filtering to remove antibodies) as part of their care. This is the patient-selection approach researchers now favour.

Testing

Immunoadsorption as part of routine care

Design

Observational (target 50)

Where

Charité, Berlin

Who can join

Age 18–65, Canadian Consensus Criteria, PEM lasting 14+ hours, Bell score below 60, positive for certain autoantibodies, and immunoadsorption covered by German health insurance.

Run by

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Contact

Dr Elisa Stein

Mainly relevant to people in Germany.

ACCESS: home-based care for housebound ME/CFS

Tests outreach care at home plus online visits for people with severe ME/CFS who can’t get to a clinic. It’s one of very few studies designed for housebound and bedbound patients.

Testing

Home-based outreach care vs usual care

Design

Interventional (target 100)

Where

Hannover Medical School

Who can join

Age 18–69, Canadian Consensus Criteria, severe (Bell score 30 or below), PEM over 14 hours.

Run by

Hannover Medical School

Contact

Dr Meike Dirks

MECFS-R: German ME/CFS registry

A multi-centre registry of ME/CFS at all ages, including children, recording symptoms, course and care.

Testing

Registry

Design

Observational registry (target 650)

Where

MRI Chronic Fatigue Center for Young People, TU Munich

Who can join

Any age with an ME/CFS diagnosis based on international criteria.

Run by

Technical University of Munich

Contact

Prof Uta Behrends

The registry record was last updated January 2025.

REenergizeME: intermittent hypoxia-hyperoxia (IHHT)

Tests breathing alternating low- and high-oxygen air through a mask, a treatment designed to stimulate the cell’s energy factories. Includes blood and skin samples to study how it works.

Testing

IHHT (HypoxBreath device) vs placebo device

Design

Randomised, placebo-controlled (target 104)

Where

Aarhus University

Who can join

Women aged 20–59 with mild or moderate ME/CFS (International Consensus Criteria) for 6+ months, with PEM. BMI 18–30. Severe ME/CFS excluded.

Run by

Aarhus University · Independent Research Fund Denmark

Contact

Rikke Olsen; Mastaneh Nochi

The planned June 2026 start has passed, so check the current status with the team.

PEM: a starting point to investigate ME/CFS

Studies what happens in the body during post-exertional malaise, comparing people with ME/CFS and healthy controls.

Testing

Physiology of PEM. No treatment.

Design

Observational (target 100)

Where

UMC Groningen

Who can join

Age 18–65, International or Canadian Consensus Criteria, no immune-modulating drugs in the past 3 months.

Run by

University Medical Center Groningen

Contact

Dr Inge Zijdewind

Studies of PEM usually involve an exertion task. Ask the team what’s involved before agreeing.

HERITAGE: long-term follow-up of Long COVID and ME/CFS (UK)

Follows people with Long COVID and/or ME/CFS for 12 months to compare NHS specialist services, using questionnaires (app or paper). You don’t need to be a clinic patient to join.

Testing

Questionnaires on symptoms, quality of life and care

Design

Observational cohort (target 3,060)

Where

Leeds, Leicester, Hertfordshire, Cornwall, plus a national remote group

Who can join

Adults 18+ with Long COVID or ME/CFS symptoms for more than 2 years. GP-diagnosed or self-reported is fine.

Run by

University of Leeds · NIHR

Contact

HERITAGE study team

Recruiting until December 2028.

Sequence ME & Long Covid

The follow-on to DecodeME: reading the full genomes of up to 9,000 people with ME/CFS and 9,000 with Long COVID to find rare genetic variants.

Testing

Whole-genome sequencing

Design

Genetic study (not a clinical trial)

Where

University of Edinburgh (lead)

Who can join

ME/CFS: existing DecodeME participants only. Long COVID: UK residents, criteria still being set.

Run by

University of Edinburgh, EMBL-EBI, Action for ME · £4.75m UK government funding

Contact

Action for ME Information & Support

Action for ME will announce how to register interest for the Long COVID arm. People outside the UK are unlikely to be able to take part.

StudyME research registry (Open Medicine Foundation)

A free worldwide registry that matches people with ME/CFS, Long COVID and related illnesses (and healthy volunteers) to studies that are recruiting. More than 15,000 people in 85 countries have signed up.

Testing

Study matching

Design

Registry

Where

Online, worldwide

Who can join

Anyone with ME/CFS or a related illness, or healthy volunteers.

Run by

Open Medicine Foundation

Contact

Open Medicine Foundation

Details not yet confirmed against the official registry. A good way for people outside the US and Europe to hear about new studies.

LIFT: pyridostigmine + low-dose naltrexone

Life Improvement Trial

Tests pyridostigmine and LDN, alone and together, in people with ME/CFS who also have orthostatic intolerance. The idea is to treat both circulation and immune/inflammation drivers.

Testing

Pyridostigmine and/or LDN vs placebo (four groups)

Design

Phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (target 160)

Where

Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston

Who can join

Age 18–70, meets both IOM and Canadian criteria, with orthostatic intolerance; symptoms began before December 2023; no opioid use; needs a smartphone.

Run by

Brigham and Women's Hospital · Open Medicine Foundation

Contact

Research coordinator (PI Dr David Systrom)

The registry says recruiting but hasn’t been updated since October 2025, and completion was expected around September 2026. Recruitment has probably closed.

NIH brain imaging of pain and effort

A brain-scan study at the NIH Clinical Center looking at how the brain processes effort and unpleasant sensations in ME/CFS.

Testing

fMRI during heat-pain and physical-effort tasks. No treatment.

Design

Early phase, mechanistic (target 47)

Where

NIH Clinical Center, Bethesda, Maryland

Who can join

Age 18–50 with ME/CFS, or healthy controls. Must be able to travel to Bethesda.

Run by

NIH / NINDS

Contact

Dr Nicholas Madian

Includes effort tasks, so ask what’s involved.

CHIIME: chronic infections and inflammation in ME/CFS

Takes repeated samples over time to look for infection and inflammation drivers of ME/CFS, such as viral reactivation.

Testing

Blood and other samples. No treatment.

Design

Observational (target 200)

Where

Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

Who can join

Adults 18+ reporting an ME/CFS diagnosis, or healthy controls. Excludes HIV, hepatitis B or C, and severe anaemia.

Run by

University of California, San Francisco

Contact

CHIIME program manager

Low-dose naltrexone dose-finding (UAB)

Compares four LDN doses (1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 mg) to find the best dose for ME/CFS. Run remotely by Dr Jarred Younger’s lab.

Testing

LDN at four doses

Design

Phase 2 (target 75)

Where

University of Alabama at Birmingham (remote)

Who can join

Age 18–65, Alabama residents only, International Consensus Criteria. Excludes opioid use, autoimmune disease and pregnancy.

Run by

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Contact

Younger Lab

Planned start October 2026.

Voice analysis to diagnose and track ME/CFS (Mayo Clinic)

Tests whether smartphone voice recordings can help diagnose and monitor ME/CFS. It’s done entirely through an app, with no travel.

Testing

Voice recordings over 12 weeks

Design

Observational (target 40)

Where

Mayo Clinic, Rochester (remote via app)

Who can join

Adults with ME/CFS confirmed by an ME/CFS specialist; smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Run by

Mayo Clinic

Contact

Katie Cruz

Remote, but check whether non-US participants are accepted.

Fareon magnetic device for brain fog (Mount Sinai)

A pilot of a head-worn microtesla magnetic device used at home twice a week. An earlier randomised trial of the technology in Long COVID reported improved thinking and wellbeing.

Testing

Fareon microtesla magnetic therapy device

Design

Open-label pilot, single group (target 30). Not a randomised trial.

Where

Mount Sinai CoRE, New York

Who can join

Age 16+, English-speaking, with at least mild thinking or memory problems linked to a confirmed diagnosis such as Long COVID. No cranial implants, pacemaker or seizure history.

Run by

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Contact

Mount Sinai CoRE research team

ME/CFS is mentioned but isn’t a formal entry requirement.

Lumbrokinase for Long COVID, post-Lyme and ME/CFS

A pilot trial of lumbrokinase, an enzyme supplement thought to break down micro-clots, in three separate groups, one of which is ME/CFS.

Testing

Lumbrokinase

Design

Phase 1/2 pilot (target 120)

Where

Mount Sinai CoRE, New York

Who can join

Adults with only one of Long COVID, post-treatment Lyme disease or ME/CFS, rating their current health 70/100 or lower.

Run by

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Contact

Mount Sinai CoRE research team

Hydrogen water for ME/CFS (Stony Brook)

A 16-week placebo-controlled trial of molecular hydrogen tablets dissolved in water, an antioxidant approach. Partly remote.

Testing

Hydrogen tablets in water vs placebo

Design

Randomised, placebo-controlled (target 80)

Where

Stony Brook University, New York (partly remote)

Who can join

Age 18–65, meets ME/CFS criteria on a phone screen, has internet access. Excludes current or past depression.

Run by

Stony Brook University

Contact

Dr Fred Friedberg

Stanford ME/CFS imaging & biomarker studies

Brain MRI, whole-body PET/MRI scans looking for inflammation (moderate to severe ME/CFS), and blood biomarker studies, from the team behind the 2026 muscle PET findings.

Testing

Imaging and blood tests. No treatment.

Design

Observational

Where

Stanford, Palo Alto, California

Who can join

Imaging: age 18–65, able to make two visits to Palo Alto (paid). Biomarker study: ME/CFS or Long COVID.

Run by

Stanford ME/CFS Initiative

Contact

Stanford ME/CFS research team

Details not yet confirmed against the official registry. Stanford’s page is undated. Confirm the study is still open before travelling.

Bateman Horne Center biobank

Collects saliva, blood and urine samples linked to clinical information, for ME/CFS, POTS and Long COVID research.

Testing

Samples at three visits, 3 months apart

Design

Biobank

Where

Bateman Horne Center, Salt Lake City, Utah

Who can join

People who have, or think they may have, ME/CFS. Three in-person visits needed.

Run by

Bateman Horne Center with ChronicleBio

Contact

BHC research coordinators

Low-dose rapamycin study (Simmaron Research)

Tracks symptoms and cell clean-up (autophagy) markers in patients whose own doctor prescribes weekly low-dose rapamycin. Early results: 74% of 70 patients improved (no placebo group). A placebo-controlled follow-up is planned for mid-2027.

Testing

Low-dose rapamycin (sirolimus), prescribed clinically

Design

Observational (target 150). Not randomised.

Where

Palo Alto CA, Mayo Clinic MN, Incline Village NV, Bateman Horne Center UT, Seattle WA

Who can join

Must already be a patient of a participating clinician and be approved for rapamycin.

Run by

Simmaron Research

Contact

Simmaron Research

Enrolment is by invitation through participating clinicians. Email trials@simmaron.com to ask about adding your clinician.

Blood-brain barrier study (Johns Hopkins)

Uses brain imaging, cognitive tests and blood immune markers to test whether a leaky blood-brain barrier drives cognitive problems. It compares ME/CFS that began before COVID with ME/CFS that began after.

Testing

Imaging and blood tests. No treatment.

Design

Observational (target 200)

Where

Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore

Who can join

Age 18–70, IOM 2015 criteria. Illness began before July 2019, or after a COVID infection.

Run by

Johns Hopkins University · NINDS

Invitation only, with no public contact.

MILES: online mind-body programme (Alberta)

A randomised trial of the Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNRS), an online “brain retraining” programme, in Long COVID and ME/CFS.

Testing

DNRS online programme

Design

Randomised (target 200)

Where

Edmonton and Calgary (online programme)

Who can join

Adults with ME/CFS (IOM 2015) for 6+ months; internet access; English speaker.

Run by

University of Alberta

Contact

MILES trial team

Brain-retraining programmes are controversial in the ME/CFS community. Listed for completeness; see What to avoid.

STAR-CO: stellate ganglion block for Long COVID

A single nerve-block injection in the neck vs a placebo injection, for Long COVID symptoms. People with a prior ME or fibromyalgia diagnosis are excluded.

Testing

Right stellate ganglion block vs saline injection

Design

Randomised, single-blind (target 40)

Where

Trois-Rivières, Québec

Who can join

Adults with Long COVID for 12+ weeks with breathlessness; must understand French. Excludes diagnosed ME/CFS.

Run by

CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec

Contact

Marie-Claude Lehoux

Not suitable for people with ME/CFS. Listed because stellate ganglion block is a treatment many people ask about.

Hyperbaric oxygen for ME/CFS (Israel)

A sham-controlled trial of 60 hyperbaric oxygen sessions over 3 months. It follows Charité’s observation that benefit appeared only with more sessions.

Testing

HBOT vs sham

Design

Randomised, sham-controlled (target 74)

Where

Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, Shamir Medical Center

Who can join

Adults with mild to moderate ME/CFS diagnosed 1+ years ago. Severe excluded. Many clinic visits needed.

Run by

Shamir Medical Center

Contact

Dr Eli Kravchik

Rituximab in ME/CFS (Japan)

An exploratory placebo-controlled crossover trial of rituximab, a B-cell-depleting drug. A large Norwegian trial of rituximab was negative, but interest remains in autoimmune subgroups.

Testing

Rituximab vs placebo

Design

Phase 2, crossover (target 30)

Where

National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo

Who can join

Age 18–65, Canadian criteria, performance status 4 or more, able to be admitted to hospital.

Run by

National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry

Contact

Clinical research office

The registry was last updated April 2025.

Lingzhi (reishi) for ME/CFS or post-COVID fatigue

A randomised trial of a lingzhi mushroom capsule compared with a waitlist.

Testing

Lingzhi capsule vs waitlist

Design

Phase 2/3 (target 130)

Where

School of Chinese Medicine, University of Hong Kong

Who can join

Age 40–60 with CFS (broad Fukuda criteria) or post-COVID fatigue; no herbal medicine in the past 6 months.

Run by

University of Hong Kong

Contact

Tung Leong Fong

Uses a broad definition of CFS that doesn’t require PEM.

RESETME: daratumumab (plasma-cell therapy)

Tests daratumumab, which removes antibody-producing plasma cells, in moderate to severe ME/CFS. In the pilot, 6 of 10 people responded, some dramatically, and 5 stayed well 2–3 years later.

Testing

Daratumumab injections (5 doses) vs placebo

Design

Phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled (66 people)

Where

Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen; Oslo University Hospital

Who can join

Age 18–64, Canadian criteria, moderate to severe, ill for 2+ years after an infection or immune trigger.

Run by

Helse Bergen (Fluge & Mella)

Closed to new applicants. The hospital has long waiting lists and asks people not to send health information by email. Listed so you can follow the results.

STIMPACT: at-home ear vagus nerve stimulation

A fully remote crossover trial comparing two types of vagus nerve stimulation through the ear, each used for 4 weeks at home.

Testing

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (device)

Design

Randomised crossover (target 48)

Where

University of Luxembourg (remote)

Who can join

Age 18–65 with post-COVID syndrome and/or ME/CFS (Canadian criteria); German or English speaker.

Run by

University of Luxembourg

Recruitment has closed. Listed so you can follow the results.