Fred Friedberg, PhD

Fred Friedberg, PhD

Research Professor

Office: (631) 638-1931

Address:
Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
HSC 10-060Y
101 Nicolls Rd, Stony Brook, NY 11794

Education

PhD, Experimental Psychology, City University of New York, 1979

Research Interests

  • Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
  • OTC supplement-based intervention: hydrogen water treatment
  • Illness biomarkers
  • Ambulatory monitoring (activity, heart rate, online diaries)
  • Clinical trials

My research focuses on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Specifically, I am looking at hydrogen water, an OTC supplement, as a potential treatment for ME/CFS.  I am also exploring a potential illness biomarker that may be associated with clinical progress. Currently, heart rate variability is being examined as an outcome predictor in ME/CFS. 

Current:

Title: Hydrogen water as a treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.  Funding source:  Natural Wellness Now Health Products, Role: Principal Investigator

  • Friedberg, F, Choi D, Zhang X, Yang J. Hydrogen water and heart rate variability biofeedback as treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot randomized trial. Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health & Behavior,  13 (3), 2025.
  • Friedberg F, Adamowicz JL, Bruckenthal P, Milazzo M, Ramjan S, Zhang X, Yang J. Uplifts and hassles are related to worsening in chronic fatigue syndrome: a prospective study. Journal of Translational Medicine. 21(1):557, 2023 08 20.
  • Friedberg F, Adamowicz JL, Bruckenthal P, Milazzo M, Ramjan S, Zhang X, Yang J. Sex differences in post-exercise fatigue and function in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Scientific Reports. 13(1):5442, 2023 04 03.
  • Friedberg F, Adamowicz JL, Bruckenthal P, Milazzo M, Ramjan S, Quintana D. Nonimprovement in chronic fatigue syndrome: Relation to activity patterns, uplifts and hassles, and autonomic dysfunction. Psychosomatic Medicine. 84(6):669-678, 2022 Jul-Aug 01.
  • Friedberg F, Sunnquist M, Nacul L. Rethinking the standard of care for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 35(3):906-909, 2020 03.
  • Meng H, Friedberg F. Cost-utility of home-based fatigue self-management versus usual care for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Fatigue. 5(4):202-214, 2017.
  • Friedberg F, Coronel J, Seva V, Adamowicz JL, Napoli A. Participant attributions for global change ratings in unexplained chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. Journal of Health Psychology. 21(5):690-8, 2016 05. 
  •   President (2009-present), International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
  •  Founder and Editor (2013-present), Fatigue: Biomedicine, Health and Behavior. Publisher:  Taylor and Francis