An Observational Study on the Use of Manual Muscle Testing for Dietary Elimination in Food Sensitivity-Related Conditions

Elif Ede-Çintesun; Mustafa  Öztürk

doi:10.51745/najfnr.9.19.257-268

An Observational Study on the Use of Manual Muscle Testing for Dietary Elimination in Food Sensitivity-Related Conditions

PDF (Full text)

Human and Clinical Nutrition

DOI https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.9.19.257-268

Issue Vol. 9 No. 19 (2025): January - June, 2025

Submitted 2024-11-01

Accepted 2025-05-15

Published 2025-06-30

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.

Background: Adverse food reactions are a highly prevalent concern, manifesting in a diverse range of gastrointestinal, cutaneous, and, respiratory symptoms. The accurate determination of food sensitivity (FS) therefore of considerable importance in the effective management of associated symptomatology. Manual muscle testing (MMT), a non-invasive diagnostic technique, is employed to identify physiological imbalances or areas of tenderness by assessing muscular strength and responsiveness. However, the potential utility of MMT in identifying food sensitivities has not been sufficiently investigated in the existing scientific literature.

Aims: The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy of an elimination diet, guided by MMT findings, in providing symptomatic relief for issues associated with food sensitivity.

Patients and Methods: Individuals with asthma, atopic dermatitis, dyspepsia, fibromyalgia, and low-back pain were enrolled in this study. Food sensitivities, to a panel of 81 food items were determined using MMT. A total of 152 participants were recruited, comprising, comprising 100 individuals assigned to the diet intervention group and 52 to the control group. Participants in the diet group adhered to an elimination diet for 30 days, formulated based on their individual MMT results. Outcome measures included the Short Form-36 Quality of Life Scale, along with disease-specific instruments administered via a face-to-face questionnaire: the Asthma Control Test, Dyspepsia Severity Scale, Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure, Quebec Low Back Disability Scale, and Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27.

Results: A statistically significant improvement in Quality of Life (QoL) was observed in the intervention group following the dietary intervention (p < 0.01). The elimination diet improved scores across various disease-specific instruments: Asthma Control Test (from 13.6 ± 4.3 to 19.2 ± 4.3, p < 0.01), Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (from 15.4 ± 7.4 to 5.0 ± 5.2, p < 0.01), Dyspepsia Severity Scale; Pain Intensity (from 22.6 ± 10.9 to 6.2 ± 10.7), Non-Pain Symptoms (from 18.7 ± 4.4 to 11.0 ± 4.3), and Satisfaction (from 11.7 ± 2.0 to 13.0 ± 1.6) (p < 0.01). Significant improvements were also noted in Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores (from 55.1 ± 19.5 to 30.5 ± 19.5, p<0.01) and Quebec Low Back Disability Scale scores (from 19.2 ± 16.4 to 11.6 ± 9.6, p < 0.01).

Conclusions: The present study indicates that an elimination diet based on MMT results may contribute to the alleviation of food sensitivity-related symptoms. While MMT appears to be a promising method for identifying food sensitivities, further rigorous investigations are warranted to fully establish its diagnostic utility.

Keywords

Applied kinesiology Manual muscle testing Elimination diet Nutrition Food sensitivity

Elif Ede-Çintesun

Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Faculty of Health Science, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Halkalı Road, 34303 Küçükçekmece/Istanbul, Türkiye
Mustafa Öztürk

Istanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kavacık Road, 34810 Beykoz/Istanbul, Türkiye

How to Cite

Ede-Çintesun, E., & Öztürk, M. . (2025). An Observational Study on the Use of Manual Muscle Testing for Dietary Elimination in Food Sensitivity-Related Conditions. The North African Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 9(19), 257-268. https://doi.org/10.51745/najfnr.9.19.257-268

More Citation Formats

Download Citation

Agarkhedkar, S., Bapat, H., & Bapat, B. (2005). Avoidance of food allergens in childhood asthma. Indian Pediatrics, 42(4), 362–366.

Antolín-Amérigo, D., Manso, L., Caminati, M., de la Hoz Caballer, B., Cerecedo, I., Muriel, A., Rodríguez-Rodríguez, M., Barbarroja-Escudero, J., Sánchez-González, M. J., & Huertas-Barbudo, B. (2016). Quality of life in patients with food allergy. Clinical and Molecular Allergy, 14, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12948-016-0041-4

Atkinson, W., Sheldon, T. A., Shaath, N., & Whorwell, P. J. (2004). Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomised controlled trial. Gut, 53(10), 1459–1464. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.2003.037697

Bennett, R. (2005). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ): a review of its development, current version, operating characteristics and uses. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 23(5 Suppl 39), S154-62.

Beyer, K., & Teuber, S. S. (2005). Food allergy diagnostics: scientific and unproven procedures. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 5(3), 261–266. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.all.0000168792.27948.f9

Boyce, J. A., Assa’ad, A., Burks, A. W., Jones, S. M., Sampson, H. A., Wood, R. A., Plaut, M., Cooper, S. F., Fenton, M. J., Arshad, S. H., Bahna, S. L., Beck, L. A., Byrd-Bredbenner, C., Camargo, C. A., Jr, Eichenfield, L., Furuta, G. T., Hanifin, J. M., Jones, C., Kraft, M., … Schwaninger, J. M. (2011). Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States: summary of the NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel report. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 64(1), 175–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2010.11.020

Burckhardt, C. S., Clark, S. R., & Bennett, R. M. (1991). The fibromyalgia impact questionnaire: development and validation. The Journal of Rheumatology, 18(5), 728–733.

Casadei, K., & Kiel, J. (2024). Anthropometric Measurement. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.

Charman, C. R., Venn, A. J., & Williams, H. C. (2004). The patient-oriented eczema measure: development and initial validation of a new tool for measuring atopic eczema severity from the patients’ perspective: Development and initial validation of a new tool for measuring atopic eczema severity from the patients’ perspective. Archives of Dermatology, 140(12), 1513–1519. https://doi.org/10.1001/archderm.140.12.1513

Cuthbert, S. C., & Goodheart, G. J., Jr. (2007). On the reliability and validity of manual muscle testing: a literature review. Chiropractic & Osteopathy, 15(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-4

Ernst, E., & Hentschel, C. (1995). Diagnostic methods in complementary medicine. Which craft is witchcraft? The International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine, 7(1), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.3233/JRS-1995-7106

Foong, R. X., du Toit, G., & Fox, A. T. (2017). Asthma, Food Allergy, and How They Relate to Each Other. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 5, 89. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2017.00089

Gubur, S. (2017). Determination of the effect of the elimination diet applied for overweight and obese people with food intolerance on body composition and biochemical parameters. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 60(0). https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4324-2017160773

Hays, R. D., Hahn, H., & Marshall, G. (2002). Use of the SF-36 and other health-related quality of life measures to assess persons with disabilities. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 83(12 Suppl 2), S4–S9. https://doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2002.36837

Jensen, A. M. (2015). Estimating the prevalence of use of kinesiology-style manual muscle testing: A survey of educators. Advances in Integrative Medicine, 2(2), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aimed.2015.08.003

Joneja, J. M. V. (2013). The Health Professional’s Guide to Food Allergies and Intolerances. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Kelso, J. M. (2018). Unproven diagnostic tests for adverse reactions to foods. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in Practice, 6(2), 362–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2017.08.021

Kopec, J. A., Esdaile, J. M., Abrahamowicz, M., Abenhaim, L., Wood-Dauphinee, S., Lamping, D. L., & Williams, J. I. (1996). The Quebec back pain disability scale: Conceptualization and development. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 49(2), 151–161.

Lavine, E. (2012). Blood testing for sensitivity, allergy or intolerance to food. Journal de l’Association Medicale Canadienne Canadian Medical Association Journal, 184(6), 666–668. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.110026

Lüdtke, R., Kunz, B., Seeber, N., & Ring, J. (2001). Test-retest-reliability and validity of the Kinesiology muscle test. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 9(3), 141–145. https://doi.org/10.1054/ctim.2001.0455

Lukaczer, D., Schiltz, B., & Liska, D. (2000). A pilot trial evaluating the effect of an inflammatory-modulating medical food in patients with fibromyalgia.

Macfarlane, T. V., Abbood, H. M., Pathan, E., Gordon, K., Hinz, J., & Macfarlane, G. J. (2018). Relationship between diet and ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review. European Journal of Rheumatology, 5(1), 45–52. https://doi.org/10.5152/eurjrheum.2017.16103

Mahan, L. K. (2016). Krause’s food & the nutrition care process-e-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Marum, A. P., Moreira, C., Saraiva, F., Tomas-Carus, P., & Sousa-Guerreiro, C. (2016). A low fermentable oligo-di-mono saccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet reduced pain and improve ddaily life in fibromyalgia patients. Scandinavian Journal of Pain, 13(1), 166–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjpain.2016.07.004

Mastrorilli, C., Caffarelli, C., & Hoffmann-Sommergruber, K. (2017). Food allergy and atopic dermatitis: Prediction, progression, and prevention. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology: Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 28(8), 831–840. https://doi.org/10.1111/pai.12831

Mullin, G. E., Swift, K. M., Lipski, L., Turnbull, L. K., & Rampertab, S. D. (2010). Testing for food reactions: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Nutrition in Clinical Practice: Official Publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, 25(2), 192–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/0884533610362696

Muraro, A., Dubois, A. E. J., DunnGalvin, A., Hourihane, J. O., de Jong, N. W., Meyer, R., Panesar, S. S., Roberts, G., Salvilla, S., Sheikh, A., Worth, A., Flokstra-de Blok, B. M. J., & European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. (2014). EAACI Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines. Food allergy health-related quality of life measures. Allergy, 69(7), 845–853. https://doi.org/10.1111/all.12405

Nathan, R. A., Sorkness, C. A., Kosinski, M., Schatz, M., Li, J. T., Marcus, P., Murray, J. J., & Pendergraft, T. B. (2004). Development of the asthma control test: a survey for assessing asthma control. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 113(1), 59–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2003.09.008

Neuendorf, R., Corn, J., Hanes, D., & Bradley, R. (2019). Impact of food immunoglobulin G-based elimination diet on subsequent food immunoglobulin G and quality of life in overweight/obese adults. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 25(2), 241–248. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2018.0310

Niu, Q., Wei, W., Huang, Z., Zhang, J., Yang, B., & Wang, L. (2019). Association between food allergy and ankylosing spondylitis: An observational study: An observational study. Medicine, 98(6), e14421. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000014421

Papapostolou, N., Xepapadaki, P., Gregoriou, S., & Makris, M. (2022). Atopic dermatitis and food allergy: A complex interplay what we know and what we would like to learn. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(14), 4232. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11144232

Pasqui, F., Poli, C., Colecchia, A., Marasco, G., & Festi, D. (2015). Adverse food reaction and functional gastrointestinal disorders: Role of the dietetic approach. Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases: JGLD, 24(3), 319–327. https://doi.org/10.15403/jgld.2014.1121.243.paq

Patriarca, G., Schiavino, D., Pecora, V., Lombardo, C., Pollastrini, E., Aruanno, A., Sabato, V., Colagiovanni, A., Rizzi, A., De Pasquale, T., Roncallo, C., Decinti, M., Musumeci, S., Gasbarrini, G., Buonomo, A., & Nucera, E. (2009). Food allergy and food intolerance: diagnosis and treatment. Internal and Emergency Medicine, 4(1), 11–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-008-0183-6

Pesce, M., Cargiolli, M., Cassarano, S., Polese, B., De Conno, B., Aurino, L., Mancino, N., & Sarnelli, G. (2020). Diet and functional dyspepsia: Clinical correlates and therapeutic perspectives. World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG, 26(5), 456–465. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v26.i5.456

Pothmann, R., von Frankenberg, S., Hoicke, C., Weingarten, H., & Lüdtke, R. (2001). Evaluation der klinisch angewandten Kinesiologie bei Nahrungsmittel-Unverträglichkeiten im Kindesalter. Complementary Medicine Research, 8(6), 336–344. https://doi.org/10.1159/000057250

Rabeneck, L., Cook, K. F., Wristers, K., Souchek, J., Menke, T., & Wray, N. P. (2001). SODA (severity of dyspepsia assessment): a new effective outcome measure for dyspepsia-related health. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 54(8), 755–765. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0895-4356(00)00365-6

Roerdink, E. M., Flokstra-de Blok, B. M. J., Blok, J. L., Schuttelaar, M.-L. A., Niggemann, B., Werfel, T., Van der Heide, S., Kukler, J., Kollen, B. J., & Dubois, A. E. (2016). Association of food allergy and atopic dermatitis exacerbations. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, 116(4), 334–338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2016.01.022

Sampson, H. A. (1999). Food allergy. Part 2: diagnosis and management. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 103(6), 981–989. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0091-6749(99)70167-3

Schmitt, W. H., & Leisman, G. (1998). Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunologobulin levels for food allergies. The International Journal of Neuroscience, 96(3–4), 237–244. https://doi.org/10.3109/00207459808986471

Schwartz, S. A., Utts, J., Spottiswoode, S. J., Shade, C. W., Tully, L., Morris, W. F., & Nachman, G. (2014). A double-blind, randomized study to assess the validity of applied kinesiology (AK) as a diagnostic tool and as a nonlocal proximity effect. Explore (New York, N.Y.), 10(2), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2013.12.002

Sicherer, S. H., & Sampson, H. A. (2010). Food allergy. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 125(2 Suppl 2), S116–S125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2009.08.028

Slim, M., Calandre, E. P., & Rico-Villademoros, F. (2015). An insight into the gastrointestinal component of fibromyalgia: clinical manifestations and potential underlying mechanisms. Rheumatology International, 35(3), 433–444. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-014-3109-9

Smith, J. D., Terpening, C. M., Schmidt, S. O., & Gums, J. G. (2001). Relief of fibromyalgia symptoms following discontinuation of dietary excitotoxins. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 35(6), 702–706. https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.10254

Soh, J. Y., Huang, C. H., & Lee, B. W. (2015). Carbohydrates as food allergens. Asia Pacific Allergy, 5(1), 17–24. https://doi.org/10.5415/apallergy.2015.5.1.17

Staehle, H.-J., Koch, M. J., & Pioch, T. (2005). Double-blind study on materials testing with applied kinesiology. Journal of Dental Research, 84(11), 1066–1069. https://doi.org/10.1177/154405910508401119

Sundström, B., Wållberg-Jonsson, S., & Johansson, G. (2011). Diet, disease activity, and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Clinical Rheumatology, 30(1), 71–76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-010-1625-x

Virdee, K., Musset, J., Baral, M., Cronin, C., & Langland, J. (2015). Food-specific IgG antibody-guided elimination diets followed by resolution of asthma symptoms and reduction in pharmacological interventions in two patients: A case report. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 4(1), 62–66. https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2014.068

Wang, J., & Liu, A. H. (2011). Food allergies and asthma. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 11(3), 249–254. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACI.0b013e3283464c8e

Ware, J. E., Jr, & Sherbourne, C. D. (1992). The MOS 36-ltem short-form health survey (SF-36): I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30(6), 473–483. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-199206000-00002

Warren, C. M., Jiang, J., & Gupta, R. S. (2020). Epidemiology and burden of food allergy. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 20(2), 6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-020-0898-7

Yum, H. Y., Yang, H. J., Kim, K. W., Song, T. W., Kim, W. K., Kim, J. H., Ahn, K. M., Kim, H. H., Lee, S. Y., & Pyun, B. Y. (2011). Oral food challenges in children. Korean Journal of Pediatrics, 54(1), 6–10. https://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2011.54.1.6

More

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Hatice Merve Bayram, Hatice Kübra Barcın-Guzeldere, Elif Ede-Cintesun, Zehra Margot Celik Exploring the interplay between social media addiction, mindful eating, intuitive eating, orthorexia nervosa, and mental health in young adults

An Observational Study on the Use of Manual Muscle Testing for Dietary Elimination in Food Sensitivity-Related Conditions

Keywords

How to Cite

Similar Articles

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Downloads 550

Views 936

Country (Top 10)

Make a Submission

Journal Issue

Keywords

Browse by Category

Information

Highly Accessed

Published by

Useful Links

Connect

Contact Us