I was one of a group of 54 people who gathered in St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire recently to receive the results of one of the first clinical tests of complementary medicine in Ireland.
All of us who volunteered for the research programme were facing life threatening conditions such as cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and other quality-of-life-challenging illnesses. The goal of the study was to offer an optimum healing environment in which participants could explore ways to trigger the body's natural self-healing mechanisms.
The study was conducted by psychologists Sean Collins and Rhoda Draper, and a group of Trinity College psychology students. Highlights of the results included the finding that, over the eight weeks, participants reduced their biological age by an average of four-and-a-half years. This was demonstrated by tests of skin elasticity, reaction time, near vision, blood pressure and heart rate. Depression was also reduced and participants changed damaging personality traits using simple protocols from Dr Collins's book, Tipping The Scales.
I was undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer when I saw an advertisement for volunteers to take part in a study to demonstrate that patients can participate effectively in the management of their own illness. I applied immediately. To be included one had to be facing some significant, life-threatening condition and be willing to commit to three days training, attend a morning meeting for eight consecutive weeks and do daily homework. Out of 40 seriously ill volunteers, 20 were selected for the control group and sent away to do nothing. I was one of the 20 in the intervention group.
What was offered was intended to be an adjunct to mainstream conventional medicine. We were introduced to practices such as yoga, meditation, self-hypnosis, visualisation, breath work, mindful eating and positive self talk. Participation in every aspect of the programme was not compulsory but we were encouraged to explore all of them. Each person kept a daily record of which parts of the programme they used and the time invested. Although it was suggested we commit to one hour's homework a day, the results showed that with a daily investment of only 45-50 minutes and a 39 per cent involvement, measurable health improvements were achieved. It gives me great hope to know that patients who have major illnesses can measurably change their prospects of recovery by improving immune function. People in the control group were subjected to the same tests as the intervention group, but the findings showed that their health remained the same or deteriorated slightly.
Research into the economic effects of a 10-week intervention programme, similar to this one, was conducted by Prof Herbert Benson of Harvard University and Dr Margaret Caudill. He found that after one year, there had been a 36 per cent reduction in clinic visits.
This study has major implications for patients, the medical profession and the Government. The cost per participant in an eight-week intervention programme is estimated at £140. This is a tiny investment to increase the survival prospects and improve the quality of life for patients with life challenging illness.
Dr Dean Ornish, the cardiologist who first proved that heart disease can be reversed, is quoted as saying: "If I perform surgery on a patient, the insurance company will pay at least $30,000. If I perform a balloon angioplasty they pay $7,000. If I spend the same amount of time teaching a heart patient about nutrition and stress management techniques the company will pay no more than $150. If I spend that time teaching a well person how to stay healthy, the insurance company will not pay at all."
If ordinary people have the potential to influence outcomes of serious illness, the potential saving for the taxpayer in medical expenditure is enormous. This year just over £3 billion will be spent on public healthcare, excluding VHI or private medicine. This represents a charge of £3,000 for every taxpayer in the country. Dr Collins says: "Quite apart from the improvements in quality of life and reduction in depression, even a five per cent reduction in the Irish health bill would amount to a £3,150 million saving".
Surely this is a potential saving that no Government can afford to ignore.
For more information on the research study, contact the Ardagh Clinic, tel: 01-2600118.