Quantum Biofeedback : Your Experiences

Hello ATS,

I have recently become interested in the therapy known as Quantum Biofeedback (QXCI) and I am considering going in for a "treatment".

I would be grateful if anyone can share their experiences with this modality. Was it helpful? Any insight would be welcome.

Thank you.

Jotaplata

reply to post by JotaPlata


As far as I can tell, there is no evidence to support the efficacy quantum biofeedback. There is a difference between this and regular biofeedback, which has been shown to be an effective component of treatment for specific conditions. The central claim of this "quantum biofeedback" is that QBXI balances "bio-energetic forces." The professional scientific community does not believe that such forces exist.

The power of placebo is strong, but there are risks to indulging in new age gadgets instead of proven medical practices.

I would advise that you read this article in order to form a balanced opinion. You're clearly inclined towards a favorable perception of QBXI, and it may be beneficial to hear the skeptical position as expressed by a doctor in a fairly well researched paper. I will include some of the text here, but I recommend visiting the link above and reading the whole thing. The author cites the sources for all of his claims.

The Quantum Xrroid Interface System (QXCI) —also called EPFX, or SCIO—is claimed to balance "bio-energetic" forces that the scientific community does not recognize as real. The device has also been claimed to be " the most advanced medical assessment and therapy device in the world today!" [1] It supposedly loops "all 200 trillion human cells . . . within a 55-channel biofeedback system" to create "optimal wellness." [1] Its developer, William C. Nelson (1951- ), is said to be a medical doctor with a long and distinguished scientific career. According to Nelson:

Every item has its own voltametric signature. . . .

The word "Xrroid" is a coined word meaning the rapid testing of thousands of items in a short period of time using electrophysiological means. This data is then calculated by the computer and brought up on the screen, which tells us what the major and minor reactive substances of the patient are. Within our grid we place all the known vitamins and minerals, thousands of homeopathics, toxic substances . . . and other significant items to biology. . . .

The quantum coherency effect is achieved by matching the virtual photon and voltametric signature pattern of a reactive substance in the body of the patient and then watching the voltametric resistance changes that happen in the patient in response to the item. If there is a coherency, a reactive positive or negative pattern can be induced [2].

To operate the system, a head harness, ankle straps, and wrist straps are used to connect the patient to a digital box (pictured below) connected to a computer. After "calibration" is done, the equipment monitors, interprets the patient's reactions to tiny electrical impulses generated by the box [3], and advises what products to take.

[...]


Inherent Risks

Bogus devices like the Quantum Xrroid can cause three types of harm:

Patients who become alarmed about improper diagnoses can wind up having unnecessary tests to rule out the presence of these conditions.

Failure to diagnose actual diseases can lead to delay in getting appropriate treatment.

The phony diagnosis and treatment can result in unnecessary expense.

In 2002, Marshall D. Voris, PhD, a member of the Texas State Medical Board for Acupuncture, tested a QXCI device on himself and a few members of his staff and concluded that it should not be considered a biofeedback device. In a report to Rex's attorney, he stated:

The device fires low levels of current into the patient and then in a method similar to radar, reads the bounced signals and transfers them to a database. The data base consists of several thousand diagnostic categories from several different medical disciplines including homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, traditional medical, as well as astrology, prayer wells, and other mystical data. Upon studying the software I also found pornographic images embedded in it, for what reason I was unable to determine.

Based on that database, the patient is given a diagnosis. I ran several tests on myself and was diagnosed as having elevated mercury levels, high blood pressure, asthma, and early stage pancreatic cancer, and allergies to milk, cows, and sunlight. I was amused, as I have none of those conditions or allergies.

I tested other members of my staff and discovered similar misdiagnosis including one of the male doctors who was diagnosed a being both pregnant and suffering from testicular cancer.

If the diagnostics were not bad enough, I discovered that the QXCI then fires micro currents back into the body purportedly in an attempt to alter the conditions it has diagnosed. We use microcurrent in our practice for pain control, but one has to be careful with it as it can result in disrupted equilibrium for patients.

Although myself and the other doctors here found my results to be humorous, it would not be so for the unsuspecting patient exposed to this device. This device must be classified as dangerous. The danger it presents is two-fold: (1) it makes misleading and inconsistent diagnosis; and (2) the firing of microcurrent into an individual can be harmful [21].

Regulatory Action

In January 2008, after being embarrassed by investigative reports published in the Seattle Times [22], the FDA banned importation of the QCXI [23]. Although this is a step in the right direction, it will not protect consumers from practitioners who already have the device. Moreover, deceptive packaging may make importation difficult to detect.

The Bottom Line

The Quantum Xrroid device—also called QXCI, EPFX, or SCIO (or L.I.F.E. System marketed by a former Nelson associate) —is claimed to balance "bio-energetic" forces that the scientific community does not recognize as real. It mainly reflects skin resistance (how easily low-voltage electric currents from the device pass through the skin), which is not related to the body's health. It is promoted with elaborate pseudoscientific explanations and disclaimers intended to protect its practitioners from prosecution. Use of the device can cause unnecessary expense as well as delay in getting appropriate treatment. If you encounter a practitioner who uses one, please ask the appropriate government agencies to investigate.

This sounds like a scam to me. Do you have anything other than anecdotal reports about the effectiveness of the treatment?

I would steer clear of subjecting your body to something that is based on bad science and that has a record of failure and ineffectiveness. There have been snake oil salesmen for a long time. If this technology were effective, it would be easy to demonstrate its effectiveness and publish the evidence. The fact that such evidence is nowhere to be found should be a red flag.

I would strongly advise that you research the subject for yourself. I believe that the only rational conclusion based on availble evidence is that this device doesn't do what it claims to do.

reply to post by OnceReturnedThank you for this very useful post. After overcoming lupus by natural means, detoxing with water and healthy food, I am now better.
I am intrested in alternate therapies and believe that careful administering of herbs and a clen diet,avoiding fast food , soft drink, msg, aspartame, we can all be well. Yoga, some types of sound therapy,saunas, geting out and walking in a natural environment and a few other alternate and healthy lifestyle changes do help us as well.
Even these lifestyle changes have to be gentle and gradual, like taking herbs.
Its great when someone like yourself gives a good account of an un-biased oppinion.(I have met many honest doctors who do not push pharmacuticals and have also met the other type...I believe this doctor is honest in his oppinion) Now I can run away from such a device if it is pointed at me, or if anyone tries to strap the electrodes on for the electric blast ! Not evreything alternate and natural is good for you.Lots of natural things are downright poisonous. Like my mother in law. Sorry bout that..... But if its not broken don't fix it. There are people who are well ,but think they could be "super well " and dive into therapies like this and end up worse, upsetting a balance that was fine in the first place.

reply to post by OnceReturned


Thanks for your response.

While I can appreciate the information you've presented, I'm rather incredulous when it comes to the mainstream medical establishment and in my experience I have found plenty of therapeutic value in a variety of healing techniques that are disparaged by medical professionals.

If I were to try this therapy, I'm not particularly concerned with this device giving me a misdiagnosis or wrong information as I don't expect for to act as a panacea.

At any rate, I'm looking for individuals who actually have used Quantum Biofeedback and are willing to share some information about their experience.

Thanks