Test-retest-reliability and validity of the Kinesiology muscle test.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the test-retest-reliability and validity of the Health Kinesiology muscle test. PATIENTS: Seven patients with clinically and allergologically confirmed wasp venom allergy. DESIGN: Four Health Kinesiology-examiners tested each patient in a random order for 10 verum and 10 placebo bottles. All examiners used the anterior deltoid as indicator muscle. Patients and examiners were completely blinded. OUTCOME MEASURES: Weak muscle holds were rated as 'sensitivity' towards the test substance, stable holding as normal (not sensitive). RESULTS: An overall kappa of 0.03 (95%-CI: -0.02-0.07) indicates the test is not reliable. Individual kappas do not substantially vary from examiner to examiner. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated at 40% and 60%. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the use of Health Kinesiology as a diagnostic tool is not more useful than random guessing. This should at least be true in patients with insect venom allergy that are tested by examiners with average skills.