Clinical Ecology
Be it resolved that the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology endorse the following statement:
"There is no data from objective studies to support the value of the following techniques. As such, these techniques are of unproven value for the diagnosis of allergic disease."
Applied Kinesiology
This technique utilizes the ability of an observer to demonstrate loss of muscle power in either a subject or, if the subject is too young to cooperate, a surrogate. There are a variety of techniques used including holding the substance to be tested directly in the hands, holding a vial or bottle containing the substance, or holding the hand of an individual holding the substance to be tested. Arms or legs may be tested for strength. This test appears to be based entirely on the bias of the individual and/or the observer.
Vega Testing
A Vega-device is said to detect changes in the resistance to the flow of electricity over acupuncture points on the ends of fingers and/or toes. Substances to be tested are placed in glass vials and brought into contact with an electrical circuit. Vega testing is reputed to diagnose food allergies and chemical sensitivities.
Pulse Testing and Auricular Cardiac Reflex Testing
Pulse testing involves assessment of the heart rate after exposure to an ingestant or inhalant. The onset of tachycardia some minutes or hours later is said to relate to sensitivity to that substance.
Auricular cardiac reflex testing involves bringing a substance to which a patient is thought to be allergic near the skin and assessing the wave form of the pulse, usually at the wrist.
Lymphocyte Cytotoxicity
This test involves observation of morphological changes in white cells incubated with a suspect substance and a sample of the patient's serum. While based on scientific principles, lymphocyte cytotoxicity has not been shown to be of value in the assessment of food or chemical sensitivities in a number of well controlled trials since its original description in the 1950s.
Electro-Acupuncture Diagnosis
This technique utilizes changes at acupuncture points as interpreted by subjective means or by measurement of electrical cutaneous conductance. Changes occurring when an individual has contact with a substance, or hears the name of a substance, or has the name of a substance entered into a computer are said to be diagnostic. A computerized format, marketed as the INTERO system, is available, but in North America must bear the label "For investigational Use Only. The performance characteristics of this product have not been established."
Dowsing
This technique utilizes a number of different methods to determine putative changes in electromagnetic energy. Wood or metal devices may be seen to be attracted or repulsed, or a quartz ball may be seen to move in a pendulum fashion in response to the presence of materials held by an individual.
Dr. Allan Becker, Winnipeg, Manitoba
© The Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, First printing 1989, Second printing 1995
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