The Lightning Process: A Position Paper from the World ME Alliance
The World ME Alliance and its members do not endorse the Lightning Process for people with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), sometimes called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
The World ME Alliance (WMEA) has taken the unusual step of publishing a position paper on the Lightning Process (LP), which is a psychological training programme created by Phil Parker and that has been promoted to ME and CFS patients as a cure. It gets its name because it is supposed to cure in 3 days.
WAMES is a founding member of the Alliance and has signed up to the statement in support of members in countries where the Lightning Process is currently being vigorously promoted. In the UK in 2012 the British Standards Authority ruled that Phil Parker Ltd was advertising the LP as a cure for ME without evidence. LP’s influence in the UK continues, but without the impetus prior to 2012.
The short Statement makes the following points about LP:
- there is no evidence to support its claims
- it encourages participants to be secretive about the process
- it ignores PEM so can cause harm to patients
- there is little follow-up by practitioners
- it is costly and can leave participants in financial difficulty
- there is a void in alternative treatment options
People with ME deserve evidence-based healthcare and research into the causes and treatment of their disease.
