DNRS Research Update: Clinical Trial of DNRS Efficacy for MCS, ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Begins

 

 

We recently reported that the Dynamic Neural Retraining Program (DNRS) Team had entered into a research initiative with the Integrative Health Institute at University of Alberta (IHI), in collaboration with the University of Calgary, to ascertain if neural retraining and DNRS specifically, could be an effective treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), and Fibromyalgia.

 

The aim of course is to establish evidence-based support for the neuroplasticity and mind-body medicine theories at the core of DNRS, and the approach's efficacy for these specific environmental / invisible illnesses. Positive results may in future lead other researchers to study brain retraining and its application as a treatment for these and other conditions.

 

We can now bring you an update from the DNRS Team on the progress of the research, with the Phase 1 systematic review of previously published neural retraining studies now completed and the clinical study of the DNRS program's efficacy in ME/CFS, MCS and Fibromyalgia about to begin.

 

This is what a recent press releases have to tell us:    

 

DNRS Team

 

"As many of you may recall, in 2016, we embarked on a journey to raise $200,000 to support an independent research study conducted by researchers at the Integrative Health Institute at University of Alberta (IHI), in collaboration with the University of Calgary, on the impact of DNRS Neural Retraining in individuals with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME). With generous support from our community and supporters, we reached our fundraising goal and the research study was underway! We are happy to provide you with a detailed update on this Neural Retraining Study. While this research study is on-going, please find below some details on what has been happening to date.

 

In summary, phase 1 has been completed, which included a systematic review of published research to understand what is already known about Mind Body Interventions (MBIs) as they relate to ME/CFS, MCS and FMS. With a deeper understanding of what findings already exist, researchers will now move to Phase II of this project which will include a clinical trial comprised of quantitative, qualitative and neuroimaging methods to evaluate the impact of DNRS.

 

For a more formal report about the findings of Phase 1 and plans for Phase 2, please see the Neural Retraining Project Highlights below from the University of Calgary."

 

University of Calgary

 

"Having a deeper understanding of previous conclusions, the collaboration’s researchers are now developing protocols and building the outline for the study’s clinical trials combining quantitative, qualitative and neuroimaging methods to evaluate the impact of Dynamic Neural Retraining Systems. 

 

This step includes outlines of the populations to be used (ages, diagnoses, exclusion criteria such as medication risks or pregnancy) as well as the trial’s hypothesis and expected outcomes, and how they will be measured.

 

A plan on how to synthesize and translate all the data is also being developed. A randomized controlled trial is among the most rigorous methods for evaluating an intervention, including causality (linking the intervention to the outcome)."

 

The complete study update from the University of Calgary is available in PDF format here. 

 

Support This Important Study

 

As the researchers at the University of Calgary state in their report above, this study would only have been possible with the support of the public through donations. You can still help make sure the research reaches its important conclusions by donating what you can at the study page on the University of Calgary website at: https://netcommunity.ucalgary.ca/neuralretraining

 

Their report of progress thus far concludes by stating:

 

"Your support through salaries and materials has helped build the foundation of the project, create a collaborative environment and foster mentorship with junior researchers. These relationships spark interest in the work for future generations and secure the sustainability and progression of research.

 

This momentum will help in leveraging additional support from public funding agencies as well as others with aligned interests to fuel phase three, ultimately providing new avenues of intervention and resources in the area of neuroplasticity." 

 

So if you are able, please donate as little or as much as you can to make sure this kind of research continues for the environmental / invisible illness community.