What Is a Questionable Medical Device?

Working definition: An instrument or machine designated to improve physical or psychological well-being that actually provides no measurable medical benefit. In many cases, the apparatus might not even operate mechanically in the manner described. When used as instructed, the treatment may in fact harm patients rather than help them.

Technical explanations for these devices often distort established medical knowledge, misapply scientific principles, 
or assert scientific-sounding conjecture without supporting evidence.

Promoters of questionable medical devices often misunderstand the scientific ideas they believe are at work, give undo credence to anecdotal testimonials and speculation, or earnestly assume medical benefits in the absence of clinical research.

Practitioners sometimes stop recommending questionable treatments as soon as their shortcomings become apparent. Frequently, however, they insist that future studies will legitimize their misguided treatments. In the worst situations, charlatans knowingly fabricate information to deceive customers into using fraudulent devices.