Research
As well as the many successes of those that have taken the Lightning Process, there is a host of research and surveys quantifying the benefits of this new and transformative science.
Current Research
A summary of current research can be found here.
Chronic fatigue and cancer 2021
This is a mixed methods study of the effects of the Lightning Process on cancer survivors with chronic fatigue and has shown promising results. Chronic fatigue is a severe side-effect commonly experienced by many who have recovered from cancer. It is often debilitating and unresponsive to treatment. The Lightning Process was evaluated as a potential solution for this issue due to previous promising evidence concerning its effects on fatigue.
Results This study found statistically significant improvements for all the patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) questionnaires comparing the pre- and post-intervention periods, with a significant reduction (p < .001) in the total fatigue score from baseline to 3 months and six month follow-up. This was reflected in the qualitative findings of the interviews where ‘participants emphasised that they now experienced both less fatigue and explicit improvement in their energy level’.
All 11 participants confirmed that the intervention had not worsened their health or caused them any negative side effects and that they were satisfied or very satisfied with intervention. They also expressed that during the LP they felt they were ‘finally being taken seriously’ and the researchers noted how the LP course explicitly validated the participants’ symptoms as being real rather than ‘imagined’.
The researchers noted that ‘The reductions in the participants’ total fatigue scores were remarkable, since no changes in their overall level of fatigue, as subjectively expressed by the participants themselves, were reported over the preceding years. You can find the complete paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/13/16/4076/htm
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME 2020
New research has been published comparing the lightningprocess (LP) to UK specialist medical care (SMC) used for paediatric CFS by a team led by researchers at the University of Bristol. It identifies differences & similarities between the two approaches and notes overlaps with SMC and some distinct elements of LP, such as the LP's focus on language style, neurophysiological rationale, affective/physiological change technique and mode of delivery. See more HERE
Experiences Of Young People Who Have Undergone LP To Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Qualitative Study
HARVARD UNIVERSITY AND KING'S COLLEGE, LONDON
An independent study, published in 2012, found that of the 9 participants with CFS/ME “7 were satisfied and much improved”.
Click here for more information on the study.
Click here to read Phil Parker’s summary of the full article and response.
Interim Report On A Research Project By The MSRC And LP
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESOURCE CENTRE AND LIGHTNING PROCESS RESEARCH TEAM
Interim data from MSRC and LP showed that the LP provided benefit to all participants and there have been no incidents of adverse effects. The data suggested that it would be worth pursuing a full Randomised Controlled. Trial Comment from MSRC.
Participant Surveys
Sussex And Kent ME & CFS Society Survey
Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society survey found 80% of respondents rated The Lightning Process as either Very helpful and Reasonably helpful and deemed The Lightning Process as the ‘most helpful approach’.
ME Association Survey
The ME Association’s Survey on ME sufferers and their treatment preferences indicated that 45% of respondents experienced improvement from the Lightning Process.
The Lightning Process Participant Survey
A survey completed by LP found 81.3% of participants experienced improvement after the course.
Red Cross Requests Lightning Process For Its Kenyan Workers
June 2011 marked the start of a pilot project of Lightning Process seminars to help improve the quality of life of those working with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Red Cross in Kenya requested that 300 of their workers attend Lightning Process Courses.
Supporting Research
Theoretical Basis Of The Lightning Process
For more information on the established scientific theories that underpin The Lightning Process, please click on the links below:
Neuroplasticity – the ability of the pathways of the brain to change and develop in response to learning and repetition. (3) (4)
The physiological effects of Adrenaline, Nor-Adrenaline & Cortisol in the “stress” response. (5) (6)
The interaction of the body and mind. (7)
The osteopathic theory of facilitation and the impact of changes in structure causing changes in function. (8)
Dr. Bruun Wyller, ME Specialist
Dr. Bruun Wyller, who is one of Norway’s leading experts on ME, has published some interesting articles which concur with the clinical findings of the Lightning Process.
“Based on our findings, we have formulated a theory of sustained arousal in CFS, which seems to correspond quite neatly to the theoretical considerations underlying the Lightning Process.”
Dr. Wyller’s most recent paper in conjunction with Hege R. Eriksen, Kirsti Malterud who are university researchers from Bergen, can be found online. (1) (2)
Sources:
Bruun Wyller, Vegard MD et al, “Abnormal Thermoregulatory Responses in Adolescents with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Relation to Clinical Symptoms”, Official Journal of The American Academy of Pediatrics, Vol. 120 No.1, 2 July 2007.
Bruun Wyller, Vegard MD et al, “Can Sustained Arousal explain the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”, Behavioral and Brain Functions, 23 February 2009.
Definition of Neuroplasticity”, Medicinenet, 11 June 2004.
Wikipedia contributors, “Neuroplasticity”, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 3 May 2010.
Mayo clinic staff, “Stress: Win control over the stress in your life”, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 September 2008.
Wikipedia contributors, “Stress (biology)”, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 20 May 2010.
Lerner, Baron H. “Can stress cause disease? Revisiting the Tuberculosis research of Thomas Holmes, 1949-1961”, Annals of Internal Medicine, n.d.
Osteopathy”, Osteohome, n.d.