Federal health agency rejects controversial MS treatment

Canadian Institutes of Health Research says there’s no evidence liberation therapy works.

The federal agency responsible for funding medical research has said there is no reason to begin trials of liberation therapy, a disputed treatment for multiple sclerosis. The CIHR said yesterday that there is “an overwhelming lack of evidence” the therapy is effective, even though many MS patients say it has effectively relieved their suffering and earlier this year Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall announced his intention to fund research into the technique. The therapy is based on the contentious idea that MS can be treated with a simple procedure that increases blood flow to the brain.