Comments on: Vegatest – High Tech Pseudoscience

By: Brandon T. Bisceglia

Brandon T. Bisceglia — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:53:31 +0000

Part of what allows dubious (or merely uncritical) medical practicioners to continue using such pseudoscientific machines may be the fact that they receive little feedback from patients, who themselves are likely to fall into the trap of “argument from authority” thinking.

In a situation that involves complex machines, how is the patient to address the physician? Even if he or she were inclined to question the doctor, they can’t expect someone with medical training to necessarily be well-versed in engineering.

That may be part of the reason that such devices have such long lifespans within the medical community.

Of course, that doesn’t excuse the fact that, in every important respect, they simply don’t deliver as advertised.

By: HHC

HHC — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:59:37 +0000

For discussion, here’s a link.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1887522/

By: HHC

HHC — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:35:04 +0000

In my area, a Canadian chiropractor is stating the same, its a FDA approved technology. He has a protocol for spinal decompression patients who could benefit from it. He looks for disc-related syndromes of the cervical spine or lumbar spine. He promises that 15 to 30 minutes on this equipment spanning 12 to 15 sessions will show results. I’ve seen the equipment demonstrated on a model skeleton.

By: daijiyobu

daijiyobu — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:30:57 +0000

I’m always amazed at how enamored Canadian NDs are of Vega / EDT machines for diagnostic purposes.

E.g. http://www.drhalbrown.com/electro-dermal.php

You’ll notice applied kinesiology in the diagnostic mix too.

Coincidentally, the BCNA claims their ND members are “science-based” (see http://www.bcna.ca/files_3/naturophatic.php ).

Me arse.

-r.c.

By: ccbowers

ccbowers — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 18:22:39 +0000

Relate to the topic are items that may have a legitimate use but are marketed in a misleading fashion: for example spinal decompression machines (traction devices). I hear them marketed on the radio by chiropractors all over them place, and they often state that it is “FDA approved,” and then go on to make all sorts of claims not supported by evidence. They are betting (correctly) that people don’t really know how the FDA approves devices and what that really means, and are just using the words ‘FDA’ to mislead.