Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS): Results from a randomized controlled trial with 1 year follow-up.
Christian Riise Hauge, Alice Rasmussen, Jacob Piet, Jens Peter Bonde, Claus Jensen, Antonia Sumbundu, Sine Skovbjerg
Journal of Psychosomatic Research December 2015 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.06.010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 69 |
| Population | Individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) |
| Duration | Assessments at baseline, post treatment, and 6- and 12-month follow-up |
| Measures | Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), anxiety and depression subscales of the Symptom Checklist 92 (SCL-92) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Multiple chemical sensitivity Randomized controlled trial |
| Key findings | MBCT did not change the primary outcome, illness impact measured by the QEESI, nor levels of depression or anxiety, relative to treatment as usual. Positive changes in illness perceptions were found and sustained at 12-month follow-up. The authors suggest MBCT does not change overall illness status in MCS but positively changes emotional and cognitive representations. |
Abstract
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a medically unexplained condition characterized by symptoms from multiple organ systems following the perception of common odorants. The condition can cause severe functional impairment for afflicted individuals. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for individuals with MCS. The intention-to-treat sample (ITT) included 69 individuals who had been randomized to either MBCT or treatment as usual (TAU). The primary outcome measure was the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), which measures the following aspects of impact of MCS on daily life, symptoms, and reactions following chemical exposures. Secondary outcome measures included the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) and the anxiety and depression subscales of the symptom checklist 92 (SCL-92). Participants were assessed at baseline and post treatment, and at follow-up periods of 6- and 12-months. We found no effect of MBCT on the primary outcome, nor did we find an effect on levels of depression or anxiety. We did, however, find positive changes in illness perceptions, which were sustained at 12-month follow-up. Dropout rates were low, suggesting MBCT was well received and regarded as an acceptable intervention by individuals with MCS. Overall, these results suggest that MBCT does not change overall illness status in individuals with MCS, but that MBCT positively changes emotional and cognitive representations. Possible explanations for these results are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Healthy employees in a work environment | 2003 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 41 |
| Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2000 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 145 |
| Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Working adults | 2008 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 139 |
| Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Undergraduate Chinese students | 2007 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 40 |
| Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: Replication and Exploration of Differential Relapse Prevention Effects. Recovered recurrently depressed patients | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 73 |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy for severe health anxiety (hypochondriasis): An interpretative phenomenological analysis of patients’ experiences British Journal of Clinical Psychology January 21, 2011
- A controlled study of the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction technique in women with multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare April 1, 2009
- Mindfulness therapy for somatization disorder and functional somatic syndromes: randomized trial with one-year follow-up. Journal of Psychosomatic Research January 2013
- Mindfulness-based therapies in the treatment of somatization disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2013
- Treating fibromyalgia with mindfulness-based stress reduction: results from a 3-armed randomized controlled trial. Pain February 2011
and 3 more in the library