Putting the pieces together for ME/CFS
ME/CFS is a chronic, multi-system disease that has a profound impact on the daily lives of patients and their loved ones. This short documentaire shows how researchers, patients, and international experts are working together to unravel the puzzle of ME/CFS.
People living with ME/CFS may experience severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), pain, and cognitive difficulties. Although the disease is relatively common, its underlying causes are still not fully understood, and there is currently no definitive diagnostic test or effective treatment.
To address these challenges, ZonMw funds biomedical research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ME/CFS through its ME/CFS Research Programme. Researchers and people with lived experience work together to advance knowledge and improve care and quality of life for people with ME/CFS.
Putting the Pieces Together
This documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Dutch ME/CFS Research Programme. Researchers, patient representatives, and international experts explain why ME/CFS research is so important and how collaboration can contribute to new insights.
The documentary highlights what makes the research programme unique: close collaboration between different research groups, the active involvement of patients, and strong connections with international developments in the field. It also explains how the 2 Dutch research consortia are working together to expand knowledge about the causes and progression of ME/CFS, as well as potential avenues for diagnosis and treatment.
Watch the documentary and discover how researchers, patients, and international experts are working together to unravel the puzzle of ME/CFS.
Viewer Advisory: The opening minutes of this documentary contain rapidly changing visual sequences and loud sounds. Viewers who are sensitive to visual or auditory stimuli are advised to take this into consideration.
Knowledge for the future
Many questions about ME/CFS remain unanswered. At the same time, the research programme is helping to build the knowledge base needed to better understand the disease. In the documentary, international experts share their perspectives on the importance of the Dutch programme and the contribution it can make to global ME/CFS research.
The documentary demonstrates that progress takes time, but also shows how researchers, patients, and other stakeholders are working together to advance knowledge, increase recognition, and create better prospects for people living with ME/CFS.
ME/CFS Research Programme
The ME/CFS Research Programme funds biomedical research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS. Its aim is to improve the health, quality of life and social participation of people with ME/CFS.