Related Terms

• Acupuncture, allergies, allergy testing, electroacupunture, electrodermal testing, EAV, EDT, energetic pathology.

Background

• A Vega test is a method employed to identify allergens or disease of the human body. Vega testing was created by Dr. Reinholdt Voll, a German physician, in 1958. After the theory was created, Dr. H Schimmel created the Vega test apparatus. The apparatus is a box with a circuit that compares resistance between the skin and an electrical source. This electrical source sends 0.87 volts of electricity through the patient. The box also contains a metal "honeycomb" for the placement of possible allergens or toxins as well as prospective treatments. More recent devices have been created and generally consist of a computer, which simulates the presence of these substances.

Theory/Evidence

• The Vega test is based on the theory created by Dr. Voll, a German physician, which says that electrical charges at specific acupuncture points were related to pathology in organs of the human body.

• Vega testing is based on the ideas of acupuncture and homeopathy and the basic concept of "energetic pathology," which postulates the first sign of a problem in the body is an electrical charge.

• There is no available evidence to support the theoretical basis or practical claims of the Vega test method. One study organized by 4 Vega test practitioners, each with significant experience in the field, found that the Vega test was unable to differentiate between allergens and non-allergens in 30 patients with known allergies to dust mites and cat dander.

• Other studies conducted showed the Vega test was unable to distinguish the difference between people with respiratory allergies and those without. One double-blind study did show that the Vega test was able to differentiate between allergens and non-allergens in test subjects, however an author of the study felt that it had several serious flaws and was therefore invalid.

Author Information

• This information has been edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). www.aaaai.org

2. Fehrenbach J, Noll H, Nolte HG, et al. Short manual of the Vega test-method. Schiltach: BER, 1986.

3. Krop J, Lewith GT, Gziut W, et al. A double blind, randomized, controlled investigation of electrodermal testing in the diagnosis of allergies. J Altern Complement Med. 1997;3:241-248. View Abstract

4. Lewith GT, Kenyon JN, Broomfield J, et al. Is electrodermal testing as effective as skin prick tests for diagnosing allergies? A double blind, randomised block design study. BMJ. 2001;322:131-134. View Abstract

5. Semizzi M, Senna G, Crivellaro M, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the diagnostic accuracy of an electrodermal test in allergic subjects. Clin Exp Allergy. 2002;32:928-932. View Abstract