Dr Greensmith of ME Free for All has a letter about this in the Bath Chronicle - comments can be left if you register:
http://www.thisisbath.co.uk/news/ne...cacheBust=6NB6wK7YgQMX&success=true#community
Thanks, Min, for highlighting this here. I have left the following comment (after a regsitration process that has severely tested my sanity).
Comment
Why has this feasibility study into LP and children been awarded funding when there have been no proper trials carried out and published on the application of LP in adults with ME-CFS?
It is understood that the study design will closely follow the methods used by LP "coaches".
Before beginning a course of "training", applicants are expected to sign up to certain statements and undertakings.
Will children as young as eight (or their parents signing consent forms for those under 16) be expected to sign up to this:
"1. Agreement
Please read these statements, and if you agree with them please circle the AGREE word, I will not accept you onto the training program unless all the statements are agreed to. Our experience suggests you should only take the training if you agree to these statements:
I understand that the Lightning Process is a training programme.
Agree/Disagree
I understand that learning the Lightning Process does not guarantee me any results.
Agree/Disagree
I accept full responsibility for the effects of applying or not applying this training programme to my life.
Agree/Disagree
I recognise that the mind and body can powerfully influence each other.
Agree/Disagree
I am prepared to look at and challenge my beliefs about my condition/illness/symptoms, my health and myself.
Agree/Disagree
I am totally prepared to do the sometimes challenging work of starting to think very differently, that is required to get myself back on track.
Agree/Disagree"
4. Your Future
Please score the following statements where 10 is totally agree and 0 is totally disagree:
STATEMENT
SCORE
I want to resolve my issues/symptoms
By applying the training I can learn to resolve my issues/symptoms
It is possible for me to be well
I deserve to be well
I am willing to do all the work necessary to make positive changes to my health and life
I am willing to change negative lifestyle patterns, thought processes, limiting beliefs and habits
I believe I can recover using the Lightning Process
In terms of my issues and my ability to follow instructions I am similar enough to all those others who have used the process to recover that I am bound to make the same kind of changes as them
I am determined to be the next success story: Yes/No/Maybe
When you have discovered a way to get well/resolve your issues/symptoms what would you love to do with your life?"
5. The X Factor
What will you need to do or be to get the very best from this training?
6. Analytical
Are you analytical? We know it is valid in some situations to analyse and question, but what we have found during the Lightning Process training, is that those who spend time analysing what they are learning INSTEAD of applying the Process, hinder their own progress. You need to have done your research and questioning before the training so that you can get the most from it. If you need to know more about this please tick here so we can discuss it further. [ ]
"7. Please select one answer to each statement:
a) If others can get well using the process then so can I - do you agree?
Yes/No
b) My type of illness/issues/symptoms (that I want to use the process on) are generally easily recoverable from by using the process.
It is definitely this way/I donʼt know/No
c) The things I need to address are different from other people‟s.
It is definitely this way/I donʼt know/No
The Lightning Process is a training programme, not a therapy, and there is no requirement for you to share personal information with other members of the group, but some people may choose to do so. Do you agree to maintain confidentiality with regard to personal information shared by others during the training?
Yes/No
8. Training Agreement
You should only sign this assessment form if you agree to these following statements and conditions.
I understand that the Lightning Process is a training programme. I understand that learning the Lightning Process in itself does not guarantee me good results, because I alone am responsible for applying or not applying it. I recognise that the mind and body can powerfully influence each other. I am prepared to look at and challenge my beliefs about my condition or illness. I am totally prepared to do the work necessary to get myself well.
I promise that during the training I will be available for coaching to achieve success, be open to feedback and change anything that my trainer identifies could hinder my success.
---------------------------------------------------------
It is shocking if children are to be psychologically manipulated in this way.
This study should not be permitted to proceed. If the NHS considers that LP is worthy of scientific scrutiny then it should be conducting studies on adults - not on children and certainly not children below the age of 16.
The ME Association has published today that patient organisations are discussing their concerns over the use of children in this study.
Suzy, Dorset
commented on 26-Mar-2010 19:30