Bioresonance for Allergy Detection
Bioresonance should not be used for allergy detection as it lacks scientific validity, has no reproducible results, and does not correlate with clinical evidence of allergy. 1
Evidence Against Bioresonance
Lack of Scientific Foundation
- Bioresonance is classified as an "unproven technique" with little to no scientific rationale for its mechanism of action. 1
- Results from bioresonance testing are not reproducible when subjected to rigorous scientific evaluation. 1
- The technique has neither technical nor clinical validation needed to justify its use in allergy diagnosis. 2
Clinical Implications of Using Unvalidated Tests
- Using bioresonance and other unproven methods leads to misleading advice, inappropriate treatments, and unjustified dietary restrictions that can limit quality of life and potentially cause malnutrition. 1, 2
- These methods generate false positive findings in healthy subjects due to absence of diagnostic specificity. 2
Validated Alternatives for Allergy Detection
First-Line Testing Methods
- Skin prick testing (SPT) remains the gold standard for allergy diagnosis, with clinical history being essential for interpretation. 3
- SPT has acceptable sensitivity and specificity, with 40-87% of positive reactions (wheal size ≥3 mm) correlating with patient-reported clinical symptoms upon allergen exposure. 3
When to Use Blood Testing Instead
- Allergen-specific IgE blood testing should be used when skin testing is contraindicated, including patients with extensive dermatitis, severe dermatographism, inability to discontinue antihistamines, or those on β-blockers where anaphylaxis risk is elevated. 4
- Blood testing uses fluorescence enzyme-labeled immunoassays with approximately 70-75% sensitivity compared to skin prick testing and 90.7% specificity for common allergens. 4
Critical Limitation of All Valid Tests
- A positive test (whether skin or blood) indicates sensitization, not necessarily clinical allergy, with only 60% of sensitizations being clinically relevant. 3
- Correlation between test results and clinical symptoms is mandatory before making treatment decisions. 5
Common Pitfall to Avoid
The primary danger of bioresonance and similar unproven methods is that they appear scientific to patients due to sophisticated-looking equipment and technical terminology, yet they lack the fundamental requirement of any diagnostic test: validation against the reference standard of double-blind placebo-controlled food challenges or documented clinical reactivity. 1