One for trading standards? RARP-ID fitness (UK)

Boost Your Energy Levels with Resistance Band Exercises for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | RARP-ID Blog

Rarp-id Fitness

 

This second-degree scam brought to you by psychosomatic ideologues. A scam based on a scam, with the original scam coming out of ideological academia. Wonderful. Resistance training and orthostatic intolerance, about the worst combination you can get. Personally it's what crashes me the most. What a disaster this ideology is.

One of the most remarkable thing is how you see almost everywhere that a GET program HAS to be managed by an experienced physiotherapist, but in real life this is how it mostly plays out: grifters taking advantage of people, and they get to do it by citing awful biased research that should never even got published in the first place.

It's like an entire similar situation to the antivaccine movement, personal courtesy of Richard Horton and The Lancet, who somehow never, ever, get any blame for it.

 

The links given in the Rarp-ID Fitness piece do not actually link to the studies cited -
https://www.rarp-idfitness.uk/blog/...ses-for-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-rarp-id-blog



'According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) [1], physical activity interventions have been shown to alleviate symptoms and enhance well-being in individuals with CFS'

[1] Study reference: JAMA - Physical Activity Interventions for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome




'A study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) [2] highlights the effectiveness of resistance band exercises in managing fatigue and improving physical functioning in individuals with CFS. By engaging multiple muscle groups and allowing for progressive resistance, resistance bands offer a safe and customizable approach to exercise for those with limited energy reserves.'

[2] Study reference: NCBI - The Effectiveness of Resistance Exercise for Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

 

The first ref is from 1998 and the second is mis linked - it leads to a botanical study. What looks like to be intended is Larun et al Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome .

I think that ASA would be a more rewarding line of complaint than Trading Standards - the firm isn't making claims for a service or products that are specific to ME/CFS only that exercise using those products is helpful, so not really a breach of sales legislation as far as I can see. Note the quack memoranda: "Remember to consult with your healthcare professional before starting any exercise program, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions. Stay motivated, stay committed, and enjoy the journey towards a healthier, more energized you!"

The ASA has specific guidance: Medicines, medical devices, health-related products and beauty products from which: 12.1 "Objective claims must be backed by evidence, if relevant consisting of trials conducted on people. Substantiation will be assessed on the basis of the available scientific knowledge."

That last sentence is key because it requires any quoted references to be up to date, in this case NICE 2021 clearly needs to be referenced.

There are other aspects which appear to be in breach of the ASA code 12.

If anyone has the energy it would probably be worth going down the ASA route.