Clinical Abstracts from the International College of Applied Kinesiology

courtesy of the Foundation for Allied Conservative Therapies Research (FACTR)
See www.nlm.nih.gov, The U.S. National Library of Medicine, to request full copies of studies (go to library services, databases, PubMed)

Motyka, T., Yanuck, S.

Expanding the Neurological Examination Using Functional Neurologic Assessment Part I: Methodological Considerations.

Intern. J. Neuroscience, 1999, Vol. 97, pp. 61 -76
Manual assessment of muscular function, in particular a method known as applied kinesiology (AK), is a clinical measure of neurologic function. A review of the literature reveals methodological problems with previous studies of AK as a form of neurologic assessment. Research designs that do not reflect clinical practice and principles of AK are common in the literature. Additional study is warranted to explore the potential of AK manual muscle testing as a diagnostic tool. We outline principles of AK and recommend that future research reflect more accurately the clinical practice of functional neurologic assessment and applied kinesiology.

Schmitt, W. Jr., Yanuck, S.

Expanding the Neurological Examination Using Functional Neurologic Assessment: Part II Neurologic Basis of Applied Kinesiology.

Intern. J. Neuroscience, 1999, Vol. 97, pp. 77-108 (Click for full article)
Functional Neurologic Assessment and treatment methods common to the practice of applied kinesiology are presented. These methods are proposed to enhance neurological examination and treatment procedures toward more effective assessment and care of functional impairment. A neurologic model for these procedures is proposed. Manual assessment of muscular function is used to identify changes associated with facilitation and inhibition, in response to the introduction of sensory receptor-based stimuli. Muscle testing responses to sensory stimulation of known value are compared with usually predictable patterns based on known neuroanatomy and neurophysiology, guiding the clinician to an understanding of the functional status of the patient’s nervous system. These assessment procedures are used in addition to other standard diagnostic measures to augment rather than replace the existing diagnostic armamentarium. The proper understanding of the neurophysiologic basis of muscle testing procedures will assist in the design of further investigations into applied kinesiology. Accordingly, the neurophysiologic basis and proposed mechanisms of these methods are reviewed.

Leisman, G., Shambaugh, P., Ferentz, A.

Somatosensory Evoked Potential Changes During Muscle Testing.

International Journal of Neuroscience. 1989; 45:143-151.
This study measured the way the central nervous system (brain) is functioning when muscles test strong versus when they test weak. Clear, consistent and predictable differences were identified in the brain between weak and strong muscle test outcomes. This supports the idea that manual muscle testing outcome changes reflect changes in the central nervous system.

Leisman, G., et al.

Electromyographic Effects of Fatigue and Task Repetition on the Validity of Estimates of Strong and Weak Muscles in Applied Kinesiology Muscle Testing Procedures.

Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1995; 80:963-977.
The paper compends six independent studies supporting the following: Muscles identified as "weak" using applied kinesiology manual muscle testing methods are in a fundamentally different state than those identified as "strong." Muscles testing "weak" kinesiologically are fundamentally different than muscles that are fatigued. The state of "weakness" identified is not attributable to fatigue. Applied kinesiology muscle testing procedures can be objectively evaluated via quantifying the neurologic electrical characteristics of muscles. The course and effect of applied kinesiology treatment can be plotted over time objectively.

Perot, C., Meldener, R., Gouble, F.

Objective Measurement of Proprioceptive Technique Consequences on Muscular Maximal Voluntary Contraction During Manual Muscle Testing.

Agressologie. 1991; 32,10:471-474.
This French study measured the electrical activity in muscles. It established that there was a significant difference in electrical activity in the muscle, which corresponded with the difference of strong versus weak muscle testing outcomes kinesiologically. It further established that these outcomes were not attributable to increased or decreased testing force from the doctor during the tests. In addition, the Perot study showed that manual treatment methods used by applied kinesiologists to assess the level of tone of spindle cells in the muscle are in fact capable of creating a reduction in tone of the muscle, as had been observed clinically. This is a useful tool clinically, so the verification of its action is useful to doctors in clinical practice.

Esposito, V., Leisman, G.

Neuromuscular Effects of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction.

International Journal of Neuroscience. 1993; 68:3-4.
This study demonstrated that the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has significant clinical effects on balance and coordination, and that problems of the TMJ contribute significantly to loss of neurologic control of mechanical function. This confirms a significant observation used by applied kinesiologists in assessment of patient function.

Esposito, V., Leisman, G., Frankenthal, Y.

Non-Force Manual Therapeutic Effects on Disc Herniation.

The Journal of Orthopaedic Medicine. 1997; 19:3,71-77.
This study used "before and after" MRI scans to show that patients with significant herniated discs in the low back could be treated successfully using non-forced cranial adjusting techniques. The outcomes from this conservative applied kinesiology-based method were better than other conservative care methods.

Lawson, A., Calderon, L.

Interexaminer Agreement for Applied Kinesiology Manual Muscle Testing.

Perceptual and Motor Skills. 1997; 84:539-546.
This study demonstrated significant interexaminer reliability for individual tests of the pectoralis major and piriformis muscles, but not for the tensor fascia lata or hamstring, which are essentially tests of groups of muscles at once. The primary importance of this study is that it demonstrates the reliability and reproducibility of muscle testing as a clinical tool, while also highlighting the need for clinicians to be aware of potential inaccuracies involved with the testing of some muscle groups.

Esposito V et al.

Applied Kinesiology Manual Therapeutic Effects on Disc Herniation with Real Time Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy. 1998.
Patients were treated using applied kinesiology methods. Pre and Post MRI done on the same day revealed changes in signal strength of disc material and increased intervertebral disc spacing, indicating improved status of the disc.

Schmitt WH, Leisman G.

Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunoglobulin levels for food allergies.

International Journal of Neuroscience. 1998.
This pilot study attempted to determine whether subjective muscle testing employed by Applied Kinesiology (AK) practitioners, prospectively determines those individuals with specific hyperallergenic responses. 17 subjects were found positive on AK muscle testing screening procedures indicating food hypersensitivity (allergy) reactions. Each subject showed muscle weakening reactions to oral provocative testing for a total of 21 positive food reactions. Tests for a hypersensitivity reaction of the serum were performed using both a radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) and immune complex test for IgE and IgG against all 21 of the foods that tested positive with AK. These serum tests confirmed 19 of the 21 food allergies (90.5%) suspected based on AK screening. This study offers a basis to examine further a means by which to predict the clinical utility of a given substance for a given patient, based on the patterns of neuromuscular response elicited from the patient, representing a conceptual expansion of the standard neurological examination process.

Motyka T, Yanuck S.

Expanding the Neurological Examination Using Functional Neurologic Assessment Part I: Methodological Considerations.

International Journal of Neuroscience. 1998.
This is a comprehensive review of the existing literature on applied kinesiology. In addition to the studies described above, early studies are reviewed. While some of these early studies provide evidence in support of applied kinesiology, some failed to corroborate clinical observations common to applied kinesiology prctice. Flaws in research methodology inherent in these early studies are reviewed. Requirements for proper research methodology and for adequate skill level of practitioners are reviewed.

Schmitt W, Yanuck S.

Expanding the Neurological Examination Using Functional Neurologic Assessment Part II: Neurologic Basis of Applied Kinesiology.

International Journal of Neuroscience. 1998. (In press).
This study describes the neurophysiologic mechanisms which form the basis for the clinical practice of applied kinesiology. A comprehensive neurologic model is described, providing a conceptual framework for future studies of applied kinesiology.

Peterson, K.B.

A Preliminary Inquiry into Manual Muscle Testing Response in Phobic and Control Subjects Exposed to Threatening Stimuli

J. of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics. 19(5):310-6, 1996 Jun.
This study was designed to determine phobic and nonphobic subject response to a provocative threat stimulus and to determine variables that confound the response. The analysis of data demonstrates poor inter- (K = -0.19) and intraexaminer reliability (K = -0.14(-) +0.29) the test for independence for valid muscle testing was strong for both examiners (p = .462, p = 1.00). When confounding variables were corrected for, the validity of muscle testing increased to 91%. This preliminary inquiry demonstrates the need for musculoskeletal, attentional and presensitized subject variables to be controlled to ascertain if muscle testing can be reliably used as a tool to identify emotional arousal.