FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 21/09/17

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#MEAction Rejects the Findings of the SMILE Trial of The Lightning Process for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Trial Uses Flawed Methodology That Can Lead To False Positives

Following the release of the results of the SMILE trial, Ben HsuBorger of ME Action said: “The SMILE

trial of the Lightning Process, a known quack treatment, for ME/CFS, used unblinded treatment coupled

with subjective, self-report outcomes. It illustrates that such serious design flaws can produce an

apparently positive result for almost any treatment approach. It comes as no surprise that this trial was

conducted by the same team that promotes the use of graded exercise therapy and CBT for ME/CFS,

based on the same flawed trial practices. ME/CFS is a serious neuro-immune disease as highlighted by

the work of Ron Davis, Naviaux, Montoya, Mark Davis and others. It cannot be treated effectively by

behavioural interventions. We reject all three treatments and reiterate our call for biomedical research.”

#MEAction is an international network of patients empowering each other to fight for health equality for

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.