Digital Approaches for Managing Brain Fog in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Interventions, Monitoring, and Future Directions

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a high-burden, under-researched condition characterized by heterogeneous and fluctuating symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction commonly described by patients as "brain fog". Despite growing interest in digital health technologies for symptom monitoring and personalized care, their application to the assessment and management of cognitive dysfunction in ME/CFS remains unclear. This descriptive review aimed to examine the current scientific evidence on digital approaches related to brain fog in ME/CFS. A structured literature search following PRISMA guidance was conducted to identify relevant studies. The available literature remains limited in scope and methodological maturity. During synthesizing across studies, three main functional domains of digital application become apparent: (1) digital tools for cognitive assessment, which have the strongest evidence base; (2) digital platforms for longitudinal monitoring; and (3) digitally mediated interventions or rehabilitation approaches, both of which are less well studied. Simultaneously, the findings suggest that patient-reported brain fog may represent a visible component of the broader ME/CFS disease spectrum and could serve as an early clinical indicator guiding diagnosis and management. Interpreting these symptoms within a biopsychosocial framework may facilitate understanding of the complex nature of the disease and optimize the use of digital technologies for monitoring cognitive dysfunction and supporting patient-centered care in ME/CFS.

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Publication Details

Journal
Life
Published
2026-04-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/life16040571
Primary Topic
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Digital Approaches for Managing Brain Fog in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Interventions, Monitoring, and Future Directions

Uldis Berķis, Modra Murovska, Diāna Arāja, Ajándék Eőry et al.
Life
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
article

Digital Approaches for Managing Brain Fog in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): Interventions, Monitoring, and Future Directions

Uldis Berķis, Modra Murovska, Diāna Arāja, Ajándék Eőry, Angelika Krumina
article en

Abstract

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a high-burden, under-researched condition characterized by heterogeneous and fluctuating symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction commonly described by patients as "brain fog". Despite growing interest in digital health technologies for symptom monitoring and personalized care, their application to the assessment and management of cognitive dysfunction in ME/CFS remains unclear. This descriptive review aimed to examine the current scientific evidence on digital approaches related to brain fog in ME/CFS. A structured literature search following PRISMA guidance was conducted to identify relevant studies. The available literature remains limited in scope and methodological maturity. During synthesizing across studies, three main functional domains of digital application become apparent: (1) digital tools for cognitive assessment, which have the strongest evidence base; (2) digital platforms for longitudinal monitoring; and (3) digitally mediated interventions or rehabilitation approaches, both of which are less well studied. Simultaneously, the findings suggest that patient-reported brain fog may represent a visible component of the broader ME/CFS disease spectrum and could serve as an early clinical indicator guiding diagnosis and management. Interpreting these symptoms within a biopsychosocial framework may facilitate understanding of the complex nature of the disease and optimize the use of digital technologies for monitoring cognitive dysfunction and supporting patient-centered care in ME/CFS.

LifeVol. 16(4)
Semmelweis University (HU), Riga Stradiņš University (LV)
Latvijas Zinātnes Padome
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 30%
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
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