Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy to treat multiple chemical sensitivities: A randomized pilot trial
Abstract
Skovbjerg, S., Hauge, C. R., Rasmussen, A., Winkel, P. & Elberling, J. (2012). Mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy to treat multiple chemical sensitivities: A randomized pilot trial. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology 53, 233–238. Multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) is a medically unexplained and socially disabling disorder characterized by negative health effects attributed to exposure to common airborne chemicals. Currently, there is no evidence‐based treatment. The objectives of the study were to assess the feasibility of an 8‐week mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy program (MBCT) for adults with MCS and to evaluate possible effects on psychological distress and illness perception. The study design was a randomized clinical trial. The MBCT programme comprised 8 weekly sessions of 2½ hours. Forty‐two adults were screened for eligibility and 37 were included. Mean age of the participants was 51.6 years, 35 (94.6%) were female and 21 (56.8%) were unemployed. Measures of psychological distress and illness perceptions were assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and at 3 months follow‐up. No significant differences in effect measures were found between the groups. However, those who completed the MBCT program generally reported benefiting in terms of improved coping strategies and sleep quality. The positive verbal feedback from the participants in the MBCT group suggests that a larger randomized clinical trial on the effect of MBCT for MCS could be considered.
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Two Danish studies on chemical intolerance found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy did not reduce symptoms but improved illness perceptions, sleep quality, and coping with the illness.
“Two Danish studies on chemical intolerance-a form of environmental intolerance characterized by symptomatic reactions to a perceived common chemicals and odorants not explained by toxicological responses-found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy did not reduce symptoms but improved illness perceptions [30], sleep quality, and coping with the illness [31].”
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- Authors
- SKOVBJERG, S., HAUGE, C. R., RASMUSSEN, A., WINKEL, P., & ELBERLING, J.
- Affiliations
- Gentofte Hospital (DK)
- Bispebjerg Hospital (DK)
- Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
- Corresponding author
- SKOVBJERG, S.
- Venue
- Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2012-04-25
- Volume
- 53
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 233-238
- ISSN
- 0036-5564 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9450
- OpenAlex
- W2112198153
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 3.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Scandinavian Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure
- Keywords
- multiple chemical sensitivity, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, psychological distress, illness perception, coping strategies, sleep quality, treatment feasibility, medically unexplained symptoms
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Denmark, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Pilot Projects, Psychotherapy, Group, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Treatment Outcome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Self Report
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