This is consistent with testimonials from PACE participants, who said they felt they had to rate themselves as subjectively well even when they were deteriorating because the very premise of the treatment is that a positive attitude, even a fake one, is the path to recovery. Dropouts were unexplained and the reasons for dropping are still unpublished. Although I would only trust the participants' own words on this.I’m also really worried about how they recorded my data. I had to fill out a sheet every day and the main “record” was I had to focus on something that I did that day that made me really happy - and rate how good/well that made me feel. And that was like a measure of how well I was doing or something. So (because I’m actually a very positive person) I would put 10 (out of 10) every day even though all I was doing was reading a few pages of a book or walking for a few minutes or writing in my gratitude journal. Even when I was deteriorating I was putting 10 every day as I was trying to find something to make me happy as that’s what I do.
And the other measures were questionnaires once in a while, which again only asked me things like “how good do you feel” like subjective measures and because I felt I had to answer very positively as I was told that’s what will make me better (was given a booklet saying there’s basically nothing wrong with my “hardware” and it’s my “software” that’s faulty so not to focus on things) and trying to look for silver linings etc I was putting like 70,80 out of 100, even when I was essentially bedbound.
I don’t remember any objective measures at all.
The argument about being able to identify PACE participants is very telling. It's not about "outing" or harassing them, which is absurd, it's about getting their testimonials unfiltered. It would be very fruitful to be able to gather testimonials and input from participants in any of those trials. It would be especially great to have input from participants who dropped out, another can of worms that is kept under locks.Illustrates perhaps why there is so little follow up .
A follow up study of participants may be illuminating.
(I can feel you sweating over this, quacks reading this)
This is how I filled in a questionnaire at week 9.
It's Chalder. It's what she does, she has no honor. Unfortunately there are no rules to this, it's a weird gray zone with zero accountability. If you clearly state that you deteriorated, should be marked as such and this is the reason for you dropping out they can simply disagree and mark whatever they want, no one will fault them for it. The standard with these researchers has been well established already, it's how they always do things and they have been given the green light. Their nonsense theories don't allow for harm therefore they simply do not acknowledge any.@rvallee I can withdraw. But I thought it may be better to keep my data just on the off chance that they may actually put me down as someone who worsened on the trial. But as you say they might spin it. But how could they? I clearly said I was unwell.
OK this questionnaire is seriously weird and borderline cultist. The questions are extremely loaded. It has nothing whatsoever to do with science, even less with medicine.I said my symptoms were better here.
But they were actually worse. (And I dropped out of the trial a short time later).
What was wrong with me?!
I really would like to know what happened to the other participants in the trial.
(was given a booklet saying there’s basically nothing wrong with my “hardware” and it’s my “software” that’s faulty so not to focus on things)
That stuff could well be the core of any legal case against them. There is no way they can say there is definitely no possibility of physical harm from GET. That is reckless and fraudulent.Quote from the booklet - “The best advice would be to try out this practical approach because nothing will be lost by trying but much may be gained“.
This to the power of infinity.The argument about being able to identify PACE participants is very telling. It's not about "outing" or harassing them, which is absurd, it's about getting their testimonials unfiltered.
OK this questionnaire is seriously weird and borderline cultist. The questions are extremely loaded. It has nothing whatsoever to do with science, even less with medicine.
It is the "Chronic Pain Acceptance Scale" with 'pain' altered to 'symptoms'. That might be why some of the questions don't make total sense, and why the questions are so loaded.
www dot psychologytools.com/assets/files/CPAQ.doc
The questions from the first post are from the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire, which attempts to measure 'fear avoidance', 'catastrophising', 'damage', 'embarrasment avoidance', 'symptom focusing', 'all or nothing behaviour', 'avoidance/resting behaviour'.
Generally speaking, re withdrawing consent: up to what point can this generally be done and what would be the consequences of doing so?You should probably withdraw consent, you have that right. Your data will likely be spun.
Thank you for sharing your experiences, @lunarainbows and specifically that questionnaire. It does demonstrate clearly just how hard you were trying to give the 'right answers'. Brainwashing indeed.
It's Chalder. It's what she does, she has no honor. Unfortunately there are no rules to this, it's a weird gray zone with zero accountability. If you clearly state that you deteriorated, should be marked as such and this is the reason for you dropping out they can simply disagree and mark whatever they want, no one will fault them for it. The standard with these researchers has been well established already, it's how they always do things and they have been given the green light. Their nonsense theories don't allow for harm therefore they simply do not acknowledge any.
Really sorry you had to go through this. Gaslighting is psychological abuse and it should never have been allowed. Medicine is going through some weird growing pains lately and doing all sorts of unethical things like this.
OK this questionnaire is seriously weird and borderline cultist. The questions are extremely loaded. It has nothing whatsoever to do with science, even less with medicine.
Nothing's wrong with you (well, aside from the ruinous chronic disease thing obviously). This is psychological abuse by people in a position of authority.
It is the "Chronic Pain Acceptance Scale" with 'pain' altered to 'symptoms'. That might be why some of the questions don't make total sense, and why the questions are so loaded.
www dot psychologytools.com/assets/files/CPAQ.doc
The questions from the first post are from the Cognitive and Behavioural Responses Questionnaire, which attempts to measure 'fear avoidance', 'catastrophising', 'damage', 'embarrasment avoidance', 'symptom focusing', 'all or nothing behaviour', 'avoidance/resting behaviour'.
@lunarainbows - So sorry you're having to go through this. But I applaud your courage to go on public record with your experience. All too often it is the perpetrated-upon who feel embarrassed and ashamed - when it should be the perpetrators - and therefore keep quiet. Good on you for pointing the finger at 'them' and not at yourself. I hope you will be able to turn your bad experience into something positive, for others at least. For example if it can be used as evidence that serious harm can and does happen, that could help achieve that others in the future won't have to go through the same ordeal.