I also highlight how sparse funding and trial landscape for Long COVID is in Canada, compared to other countries. Thanks to all who commented for the story, including Dr. Zeest Kahn, Michael Hoerger, Nina Steinkopf, and Rob DeRosa /n

The trial uses self-reported outcomes, which may be problematic when the intervention depends on changing how people view and perceive their symptoms. 8/n

t may mimic the way that the Lightning Process prescreens people for those "ready to engage" with its tenets. “Motivation has little relevance when combating most serious illnesses like cancer or Long COVID,” said Michael Hoerger. 7/n

To participate in the trial, people are screened with a questionnaire called “readiness to change,” to ensure that those who participate are already motivated to shift their behavior. This questionnaire has not been used in other Long COVID studies. 6/n

The three-day program teaches people “strategies” that include saying “stop” when they feel negative thoughts or symptoms, and to choose to avoid symptoms by interrupting them through physical gestures and visualizing themselves feeling positive. 5/n

The program is a commerical three day training program that draws on the pseudoscientific practices of neuroliguistic programming and osteopathy. 4/n

The Lightning Process has been heavily criticized by experts and people with Long COVID and related diseases. Some advocates have accused the program of exploiting people, while other experts question its validity. 3/n

The study is funded for $188,904 CAD (around $136,000 USD) through the Hamilton Academic Health Sciences Organization. Part of the cost will go to pay the Lightning Process Practitioners. This study’s team includes a researcher trained to deliver the program. 2/n