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Bioresonance therapy is an allegedly diagnostic and therapeutical method of alternative medicine. Due to an absence of evidence of effect it is not part of scientific medicine. It is however popular in alternative medicine concept in some countries. A similar, older method is electroacupunture by Voll.
Bioresonance therapy was invented in 1977 and introduced on the market as MORA-therapy by the German physician Franz Morell and his son-in-law, engineer Erich Rasche and was named after them (MOrell RAsche). This method is based on former radionics introduced in the USA during the 1920-ies. L. Ron Hubbard claimed to have developed such a radionics device.
Mode of Operation
Usually electrodes, linked to a box, are applied to the patient's skin. According to the manufacturer of these devices, they emit alternating currents which are claimed to be healing. They describe cells as resonating objects (with unknown frequency and energy however) having a natural resonance (ie bio-resonance).
Due to the complexity of the electrical signals in an electrically noisy environment and the range of frequencies utilised, the response is sometimes read though an extended period, in order to average to increase the accuracy of the results. In some of these devices a modern signal processing techniques, usually PC-based, is able to analyse the response' multiple parameters, and interpret the results. The analyst is then supposedly able to make an assessment/summary of the physical and mental health of the patient.
Treatment is also considered possible by practitioners, claiming to be able to invert the process generating the correct elements to stimulate the change of bioresonance in the cells. The devices would need to be able to isolate and pinpoint pathogen's responses from the mixture of responses the device receives via the electrodes. These pathogen's signals may then be compensated by their opposite. Transmitting these transformed signals over the same electrodes generate healing signals that are claimed to have the curative effect. With this action/reaction, practitioners claim to be able to detect and cure a variety of diseases without needing for drugs.
Detection and Healing
Example of symptoms/features that are claimed to be detected:
- Energy level / Vitamin deficiencies / Cell oxigenation
- Mental health / Stress / Adrenal activity
- Hormonal disorders / Immunity response
Examples of diseases that are claimed could be healed:
Controversy
Bioresonance is a controversial subject, due to the involvement of fraudsters and uncertainty of description of its operation. Many studies have tried to prove or disprove the viability of Bioresonance.
There are also proven cases of abuse of the unsanctioned diagnostic method. For example, in one case, when a bioresonance device was opened, an electronic circuit measuring skin-resistance was found, akin to the E-Meter used by Scientology or older lie detectors.
To add to the controversy, so far, manufacturer of bioresonance devices do not disclose how they may use the amplitude, phase angle or frequency range of these signals.
The given mode of operation (pathogen / healthy signals) is linked to similar concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine and especially acupuncture. Bioresonance has nothing in common with bio-feedback concepts.
Scientific studies showed however that the bioresonce therapy could not show effects suppassing placebo-effects, and that the results were not reproducible.
In the USA, The FDA classifies "devices that use resistance measurements to diagnose and treat various diseases" as Class III devices, which require FDA approval prior to marketing. Some of these devices have been banned from the US market.
References
- Schöni MH, Efficacy trial of bioresonance in children with atopic dermatitis.,Arch Allergy Immunol. 1997 Mar;112(3):238-46
- Wandtke F,Biorensonanz-Allergietest versus pricktest und RAST,Allergologie 1993,16 S.144
- Wille A, Bioresonance therapy (biophysical information therapy) in stuttering children, Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999 Feb;6 Suppl 1:50-2
- Wüthrich B, unproven techniques in allergy diagnosis, j invest clin immunol, 2005,15 86-90
- Hörner M,Bioresonanz: Anspruch einer Methode und Ergebnis einer technischen Überprüfung, Allergologie,1995,18 S. 302
- Kofler H,Bioresonanz bei Pollinose. Eine vergleichende Untersuchung zur diagnostischen und therapeutischen Wertigkeit,Allergologie 1996,19 S. 114
- Niggemann B,unkonventionelle Verfahren in der Allergologie. Kontroverse oder Alternative ? Allergologie 2002,25 S. 34
- Schultze-Werninghaus,paramedizinische Verfahren: Bioresonanzdiagnostik und -Therapie,Allergo J,1993,2 40-2