Bioresonance therapy
Encyclopedia
Bioresonance therapy is a form of electromagnetic therapy in alternative medicine
. It was invented in Germany
in 1977 by Franz Morell and his son-in-law, engineer
Erich Raschebut. Initially they marketed it as "MORA-Therapie", for MOrell and RAsche. Some of the machines contain an electronic circuit measuring skin-resistance, akin to the E-Meter
used by Scientology
, which the bioresonance creators sought to improve; Franz Morell had links with Scientology.
Due to the electrical interference of the signals generated by everyday equipment and the range of frequencies utilised, the response is sometimes read through an extended period, in order to average it and to increase the accuracy of the results. In some of these devices a modern signal processing technique, usually PC-based, is able to analyse the multiple parameters of the response and interpret the results. The analyst is then supposedly able to make an assessment/summary of the physical and mental health of the patient.
Practitioners also say they can treat disease using this therapy, claiming they can stimulate a change of bioresonance in the cells, reversing the change caused by the disease. The devices would need to be able to isolate and pinpoint pathogens' responses from the mixture of responses the device receives via the electrodes. Transmitting these transformed signals over the same electrodes is claimed to generate healing signals that have the curative effect. With this method of diagnosis and treatment, practitioners claim to be able to detect and cure a variety of disease
s and addictions without drugs. The given mode of operation (pathogenic signals in opposition to healthy ones) is linked to similar concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine
, especially acupuncture
.
might work, researchers have classified bioresonance therapy as pseudoscience
.
Scientific
studies
did not show effects above that of the placebo effect
.
Proven cases of online fraud have occurred, with a practitioner making false claims that he had the ability to cure cancer, and that his clients did not need to follow the chemotherapy or surgery recommended by medical doctors, which can be life-saving. Ben Goldacre
ridiculed the BBC
when it reported as fact a clinic's claim that the treatment had the ability to stop 70% of clients smoking, a better result than any conventional therapy.
In the United States of America the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies "devices that use resistance measurements to diagnose and treat various diseases" as Class III devices, which require FDA approval prior to marketing. The FDA has banned some of these devices from the US market.
Alternative medicine
Alternative medicine is any healing practice, "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine." It is based on historical or cultural traditions, rather than on scientific evidence....
. It was invented in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1977 by Franz Morell and his son-in-law, engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
Erich Raschebut. Initially they marketed it as "MORA-Therapie", for MOrell and RAsche. Some of the machines contain an electronic circuit measuring skin-resistance, akin to the E-Meter
E-meter
An E-meter is an electronic device used during Dianetics and Scientology auditing. The device is a variation of a Wheatstone bridge, which measures electrical resistance and skin conductance. It is formally known as the Hubbard Electrometer, for the Church's founder, L. Ron Hubbard...
used by Scientology
Scientology
Scientology is a body of beliefs and related practices created by science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard , starting in 1952, as a successor to his earlier self-help system, Dianetics...
, which the bioresonance creators sought to improve; Franz Morell had links with Scientology.
Due to the electrical interference of the signals generated by everyday equipment and the range of frequencies utilised, the response is sometimes read through an extended period, in order to average it and to increase the accuracy of the results. In some of these devices a modern signal processing technique, usually PC-based, is able to analyse the multiple parameters of the response and interpret the results. The analyst is then supposedly able to make an assessment/summary of the physical and mental health of the patient.
Practitioners also say they can treat disease using this therapy, claiming they can stimulate a change of bioresonance in the cells, reversing the change caused by the disease. The devices would need to be able to isolate and pinpoint pathogens' responses from the mixture of responses the device receives via the electrodes. Transmitting these transformed signals over the same electrodes is claimed to generate healing signals that have the curative effect. With this method of diagnosis and treatment, practitioners claim to be able to detect and cure a variety of disease
Disease
A disease is an abnormal condition affecting the body of an organism. It is often construed to be a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune...
s and addictions without drugs. The given mode of operation (pathogenic signals in opposition to healthy ones) is linked to similar concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
, especially acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
.
Controversy
Lacking any scientific explanation of how bioresonance therapyBioresonance therapy
Bioresonance therapy is a form of electromagnetic therapy in alternative medicine. It was invented in Germany in 1977 by Franz Morell and his son-in-law, engineer Erich Raschebut. Initially they marketed it as "MORA-Therapie", for MOrell and RAsche...
might work, researchers have classified bioresonance therapy as pseudoscience
Pseudoscience
Pseudoscience is a claim, belief, or practice which is presented as scientific, but which does not adhere to a valid scientific method, lacks supporting evidence or plausibility, cannot be reliably tested, or otherwise lacks scientific status...
.
Scientific
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
studies
did not show effects above that of the placebo effect
Placebo effect
Placebo effect may refer to:* Placebo effect, the tendency of any medication or treatment, even an inert or ineffective one, to exhibit results simply because the recipient believes that it will work...
.
Proven cases of online fraud have occurred, with a practitioner making false claims that he had the ability to cure cancer, and that his clients did not need to follow the chemotherapy or surgery recommended by medical doctors, which can be life-saving. Ben Goldacre
Ben Goldacre
Ben Michael Goldacre born 1974 is a British science writer, doctor and psychiatrist. He is the author of The Guardian newspaper's weekly Bad Science column and a book of the same title, published by Fourth Estate in September 2008....
ridiculed the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
when it reported as fact a clinic's claim that the treatment had the ability to stop 70% of clients smoking, a better result than any conventional therapy.
In the United States of America the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies "devices that use resistance measurements to diagnose and treat various diseases" as Class III devices, which require FDA approval prior to marketing. The FDA has banned some of these devices from the US market.
External links
- An overview of the pseudoscience behind "bioresonance therapy": "Electrodiagnostic" Devices
- "Bioresonance feedback" - Description of the subject, including references to Morell and Rasche, by practitioner Jeremy E. Kaslow, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.A.A.I