Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Conditions
Keywords
Multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, MBCT
Brief summary
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on physical symptoms attributed to chemical exposures, psychological distress, illness worry, quality of life, and illness perceptions in patients suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Furthermore, a secondary objective is to evaluate whether a possible symptom reduction is mediated by an increased level of mindfulness. The primary hypothesis is that the self-reported severity of MCS symptoms and the degree to which chemical exposures causes symptoms and the impact on daily life will be significantly improved in the MBCT treatment group as compared to the control group.
Interventions
MBCT is partly based on the mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR), developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and colleagues, and partly on cognitive therapy for depression, the latter influence particularly expressed through the aspect of decentering, meaning not accepting the content of thoughts as facts and not identifying with the thought. The MBCT programme in this study includes 2½ hours of training once a week for 9 weeks. In addition, participants are encouraged to practice at home for up to 45 min per day, 6 days a week during the entire course.
Sponsors
The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Fulfil Lacour's criteria for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity * Sign a written informed consent form
Exclusion criteria
* A psychotic or bipolar disorder * An acute psychiatric disorder requiring other treatment * Suicidal ideations * Current alcohol or drug abuse * Previously engaged in a mindfulness programme
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow up | QEESI is a screening instrument for MCS. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow up |
| The brief illness perception questionnaire (Brief IPQ) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow up |
| Symptom Check List 92 (SCL-92) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow up |
| The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow up |
| The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow-up |
| Rumination-reflection questionnaire (RRQ) | 8 weeks, 1 year follow-up |
| Self compassion scale short form | 8 weeks, 1 year follow up |
| The role work functioning index | 8 weeks, 1 year follow-up |
Countries
Denmark
Outcome results
None listed