Gibson Pamela Reed, Elms Amy Nicole-Marie, Ruding Lisa Ann
School of Psychology, James Madison University, MSC 7401, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA.
Environ Health Perspect. 2003 Sep;111(12):1498-504. doi: 10.1289/ehp.5936.
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a condition in which persons experience negative health effects in multiple organ systems from exposure to low levels of common chemicals. Although symptoms experienced from particular chemicals vary across persons, they are generally stable within persons. The sensitivities often spread over time, first to related chemicals and then to other classes of chemicals. This study examined self-reported perceived treatment efficacy of 101 treatments used by 917 persons with self-reported MCS. Treatments examined included environmental medicine techniques, holistic therapies, individual nutritional supplements, detoxification techniques, body therapies, Eastern-origin techniques, newer therapies, prescription items, and others. The three most highly rated treatments were creating a chemical-free living space, chemical avoidance, and prayer. Both creating a chemical-free living space and chemical avoidance were rated by 95% of respondents as helpful. Results for most therapies were mixed. Participants had consulted a mean of 12 health care providers and spent over one-third of their annual income on health care costs. We discuss this drain on personal resources and describe respondents' attitudes toward the possibility of healing from MCS.
多重化学物质敏感症（MCS）是一种状况，在此状况下，人们在接触低水平的常见化学物质时，多个器官系统会出现负面健康影响。尽管特定化学物质引发的症状因人而异，但在个体内部通常是稳定的。这些敏感性通常会随着时间推移而扩散，首先扩散到相关化学物质，然后再扩散到其他类别的化学物质。本研究调查了917名自称患有多重化学物质敏感症的人所使用的101种疗法的自我报告的感知治疗效果。所调查的疗法包括环境医学技术、整体疗法、个体营养补充剂、排毒技术、身体疗法、源自东方的技术、新疗法、处方药以及其他疗法。评价最高的三种疗法是营造无化学物质的生活空间、避免接触化学物质以及祈祷。营造无化学物质的生活空间和避免接触化学物质均被95%的受访者评为有帮助。大多数疗法的结果好坏参半。参与者平均咨询了12名医疗服务提供者，且将超过三分之一的年收入用于医疗费用。我们讨论了这种个人资源的消耗，并描述了受访者对从多重化学物质敏感症中康复可能性的态度。
