A controlled study of the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction technique in women with multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

Why It Matters

This study provides evidence that psychological stress reduction techniques may help reduce symptom burden in ME/CFS patients. Since psychological distress often accompanies ME/CFS and may worsen symptoms, identifying complementary interventions that safely reduce distress without requiring physical exertion is clinically relevant for patient care and quality of life.

What This Study Does Not Prove

This study does not prove that mindfulness treats the underlying biological dysfunction of ME/CFS itself—it only demonstrates reduction in psychological distress symptoms. The study does not establish whether improvements in psychological measures correlate with improvements in physical fatigue, post-exertional malaise, or other core ME/CFS symptoms. The reliance on self-reported psychological distress measures means results may reflect changes in mood perception rather than objective disease improvement.

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