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

Abstract

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.