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Diagnostic techniques

Description

Various techniques are loosely included under the umbrella of complementary ‘therapies’, which are not generally therapeutic interventions, i.e. treatment, but rather alternative methods of reaching a diagnosis in order to plan treatment using other therapy modalities. In the House of Lords classification of complementary and alternative therapies (2000), diagnostic techniques constitute group 3b, having very little, if any, scientific basis.

Evidence:

There is very little clinical literature available and no evidence in the form of appropriate scientific trials was found.

Safety:

The principle safety issue is the delay in seeking appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment.

Bibliography

Ernst E, Hentschel C. Diagnostic methods in complementary medicine. Which craft is witchcraft? International Journal of Risk and Safety Medicine. 1995;7:55-63.

Grace S, Vemulpad S, Beirman R. Training in and use of diagnostic techniques among CAM practitioners: an Australian study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2006;12(7):695-700.

House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology. Sixth report on complementary and alternative medicine. London: HMSO; 2000.

Dowsing

Description

Dowsing involves suspension of a pendulum over a person or specific body part, followed by interpretation of the movements made by the swinging pendulum, similar in principle to that of water divining. Medical dowsing is called radiesthesia and uses pendula and other instruments to focus psychic powers to aid diagnosis and selection of appropriate treatments, most commonly homeopathic remedies. Some people use dowsing as a way of life to help them avoid potentially harmful substances, such as nutrients to which they may be intolerant.

Evidence:

There is no evidence to support this method of diagnosis.

Safety:

No specific safety issues have been identified.

Bibliography

Kapke K. Energy medicine: radiesthesia: medical dowsing. Massage and Bodywork. 2005;20(3):122-126.

McCarney R, Fisher P, Spink F, et al. Can homeopaths detect homeopathic medicines by dowsing? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2002;95(4):189-191.

Vermeir K. The ‘physical prophet’ and the powers of the imagination. Part II: a case-study on dowsing and the naturalisation of the moral, 1685–1710. Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences. 2005;36(1):1-24.

Wegner DM. Précis of the illusion of conscious will. Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 2004;27(5):649-659.

Resources

British Society of Dowsers: www.britishdowsers.org

Dynomizer

Description

This diagnostic technique was devised by the founder of radionics, Albert Abrams (1863–1924). It is based on his theory that electrons are the basic element of life and he developed a machine to measure the patient’s electronic emissions, usually by analysing hair or blood. Interpretation of the corresponding vibrations enables a diagnosis to be made.

Evidence:

There is no evidence to support this method of diagnosis.

Safety:

No specific safety information was found.

Bibliography

No professional literature was found No professional literature was found.

Elimination diet

Description

An elimination diet is used to detect suspected food allergens which lead to intolerances and sensitivities which can trigger various health problems. A totally bland diet is eaten for up to 1 week in order to eliminate any foods which may cause adverse symptoms. Individual foods are then reintroduced singly to facilitate identification of any noticeable reactions.

Evidence:

No randomized controlled studies appear to have been undertaken on the effectiveness of elimination diets. The only professional literature found appears to debate the potential health issues related to unsupervised elimination diets, particularly where parents have attempted to treat children’s allergies and intolerances to food.

Safety:

This diet should only to be undertaken under direct medical supervision as dietary deficiencies may manifest and anaphylaxis can occur following allergen challenge. It should not be used to aid diagnosis in children, pregnant women or the elderly and infirm unless specifically advocated by a doctor, as it may cause serious nutritional deficiencies which will impact on health and well-being.

Bibliography

Drisko J, Bischoff B, Hall M, et al. Treating irritable bowel syndrome with a food elimination diet followed by food challenge and probiotics. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 2006;25(6):514-522.

Heyan MB, Committee on Nutrition. Lactose intolerance in infants, children and adolescents. Pediatrics. 2006;118(3):1279-1286.

Laitinen K, Isolauri E. Allergic infants: growth and implications while on exclusion diets. Nestlé Nutrition Workshop Series. Paediatric Programme. 2007;60:157-169.

Noimark L, Cox HE. Nutritional problems related to food allergy in childhood. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. 2008;19(2):188-195.

Vlieg-Boerstra BJ, van der Heide S, Bijleveld CM, et al. Dietary assessment in children adhering to a food allergen avoidance diet for allergy prevention. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2006;60(12):1384-1390.

Resources

British Dietietic Association: www.bda.uk.com

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