Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Sep;111(12):1498-504.
Perceived treatment efficacy for conventional and
alternative therapies reported by persons with multiple
chemical sensitivity. Gibson PR, Elms AN, Ruding LA. School
of Psychology, James Madison University, MSC 7401,
Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA.
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a condition in which
persons experience negative health effects in multiple organ
systems from exposure to low levels of common chemicals.
Although symptoms experienced from particular chemicals vary
across persons, they are generally stable within persons.
The sensitivities often spread over time, first to related
chemicals and then to other classes of chemicals. This study
examined self-reported perceived treatment efficacy of 101
treatments used by 917 persons with self-reported
MCS. Treatments examined included environmental medicine
techniques, holistic therapies, individual nutritional
supplements, detoxification techniques, body therapies,
Eastern-origin techniques, newer therapies,
prescription items, and others. The three most highly
rated treatments were creating a chemical-free living
space, chemical avoidance, and prayer. Both creating a
chemical-free living space and chemical avoidance were
rated by 95% of respondents as helpful. Results for
most therapies were mixed. Participants had consulted a
mean of 12 health care providers and spent over one-
third of their annual income on health care costs. We
discuss this drain on personal resources and describe
respondents' attitudes toward the possibility of
healing from MCS.
The full article can be accessed here in PDF:
ehp.niehs.nih.gov5936.pdfOpen ↗
Or here in HTML (not as good):
ehp.niehs.nih.gov5936.htmlOpen ↗
NOTE: in Table 2, the therapies in this study are listed,
along with outcomes in people who tried them. Hulda
Clark's parasite program was rated as VERY HARMFUL by
18.7% of respondents. Contact reflex analysis was
rated VERY HARMFUL by 18.6% of respondents. These are
among the highest negative ratings for any
alternative medicine therapies.