Clinical Outcomes of a Diagnostic and Treatment Protocol in Allergy/Sensitivity Patients

Alternative Medicine Review, April, 2001 by Konrad Kail

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This level II outcome study was conducted to examine the efficacy and toxicity of a diagnostic and treatment protocol using electrodermal screening (EDS) in allergy/sensitivity patients. METHODS: Ninety-six patients with a diagnosis of allergy or sensitivity entered the study between 1994 and 1998; 90 participants completed the study. All participants followed the same protocol, and all interactions were with a single clinician at a single site. The Allergy Symptom Severity Index (ASSI) was developed to record symptomatic information. EDS -- conductance measurement 1/[Omega] -- of specific acupuncture points was used as an objective endpoint (indicator of outcome) and for identification of antigens, according to Voll criteria. All measurements were taken before and after treatment, and EDS was carried out at all treatment sessions. Outcome criteria suggesting efficacy were reduction in ASSI score, reduction in number of items testing positive, and normalization of conductance measurements. A statistical analysis of the outcomes was performed using the student's paired t-test. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant change in pre- and post-treatment measurements of the ASSI. The conductance measurements normalized and the number of items testing positive decreased compared to pre-treatment testing. In addition to these parameters, 87.2 percent of subjects rated efficacy as good to excellent, and less than one-percent rated the outcome as poor. The outcome demonstrated longevity, meaning that people who had their post-treatment evaluation up to three years after primary treatment were still showing minimal ASSI scores, with no additional treatment. The treatment appeared to work equally well across age groups and gender. Forty-eight percent of participants had an aggravation of symptoms after treatment, lasting an average of 10 hours, with reactions described as mild to moderate. Average cost of the desensitization protocol (all costs included) was $822.16. CONCLUSIONS: This protocol demonstrated efficacy without serious toxicity and no long-term adverse effects. It is natural, non-invasive, and does not require long periods of avoidance of offending foods or environmental stimuli. The desensitization protocol is a low-cost, effective therapy for the treatment of patients suffering from symptoms of allergy/sensitivity disease.

(Altern Med Rev 2001;6(2):188-202)

Introduction

The conductance (1/[Omega]) of acupuncture points varies and correlates with physiological change and pathogenesis. The fact that change in the electrical field precedes morphologic change, and manipulation of the electrical field can affect the change, may shed light on the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases.[1]

Studies have shown that a weak electrical DC stimulus evokes three mechanisms in the body: electrical conduction, dielectric polarization, and self-regulation by an organic defense system. The first two are physical; the third is biological. When a direct current of one volt is applied to the skin with electrodermal screening (EDS), electrons and ions propelled by the circuit begin to move through the body. The mobility of electrons is influenced by cellular metabolism and the concentration of charged particles suspended in body fluid. The net effect can be described using a resistance function of time. A constant, swift change takes place from the moment the circuit is closed until it reaches a final, steady state. In addition to electrical conduction, the cells are polarized by the force of applied voltage. The charge on the cellular membrane will cause displacement in such a way as to produce an opposing field. There is a slight separation between the positive and negative charges, causing a small electric dipole in each cell. All dipoles are aligned along the force lines of external voltage. This alignment results in a dielectric polarization potential against the voltage.

Every living organism has defense mechanisms to protect itself from disturbance. Polarization induced by an external voltage will provoke the cellular immune system. The immune system responds with an opposing behavior, a net electric energy gradient or electromotive force (emf), which is brought about by complicated intracellular processes. These processes convert chemical energy (stored within the cells in the form of biomass) into electrical energy. It could be said the body functions as a resistor during the first 50 milliseconds following the closing of the circuit, then as a semi-dielectric.[2]

The effect of these properties is that meridians have a smaller dielectric constant than neighboring tissue. Because of this, electromagnetic waves move faster through meridians than through non-meridian tissue. It is this combination of higher conductivity with lower polarizability that makes the meridian system an efficient bio-information communication network. That communication appears to be transmitted into the tissues through meridian branches via the movement of ions, resulting in an electric current flowing between the tissues and through the cellular membrane gap junctions, a pathway of lower resistance.[3]