First of all, biofield can mean anything from a universal life force to electrophysiology; however, in this case, because QRA relies on the body’s alleged “meridians” which are exclusively associated with the scientifically unfounded New Age energy better known as “qi”, “chi”, yin yang, etc.  it’s safe to assume that this system is without scientific merit. 

QRA was developed by Dr. Bob Marshall, a clinical nutritionist who claims that his discovery is a form of assessment that “tests the energy levels within key organs, tissues and glands as well as the ‘communication’ between the brain and the various body parts.  It also can uncover a suppressed immune system, dental and nerve issues, and so much more.  This method of kinesiology testing utilizes the body’s meridians to quickly identify key imbalances and then pinpoints specific supplements needed to restore balance.” 

QRA supposedly promotes rapid recovery by restoring this disrupted energy field so that the body can function as it was designed to do.  But because this energy doesn’t exist in the first place, QRA is basically founded upon thin air. 

How does QRA work?  According to their brochure: “To test you, your practitioner will ask you to create an ‘O-Ring’ position with the fingers on one hand.  With your other hand, your practitioner will ask you to place your fingers on key organ and gland control points on your body.  Next, your practitioner will test each of these points using classic QRA O-Ring testing methods.” 

What is this testing method? 

Called the Bi-Digital O-Ring test, it was created by Dr. Omura, a Japanese medical doctor.  In this test, the patient makes a circle with their fingers.  The test ascertains how difficult it is to open the fingers, which supposedly gives an accurate assessment of one’s health. 

According to Dr. Caroline Crocker, Immunologist and Microbiologist writing for the American Institute of Technology and Science Education (AITSE), “this test is totally without scientific method.” 

As she explains, science relies on being able to take accurate and repeatable measurements and the difficulty of opening the patient’s fingers is a very subjective measurement. “ It is akin to the physician taking your temperature by kissing your forehead instead of using a thermometer . . . ” 

In fact, she cites the case of one doctor, named R. Gorringe, who lost his medical license when he used the test to treat a patient who then died. 

And just because the method relies on the classical acupuncture meridian system designed 4,500 years ago doesn’t mean it works. . . . “( T)he fact that people use it, or even that they have used it for years, does not mean that the system works any more than a placebo,” Dr. Crocker writes. 

Scientific studies have shown that this system has no diagnostic power, nor does it provide any medical benefits, she writes, which is why QRA should be considered to be nothing more than “quackery based.”