International Expert Consens on Long-term Medical Fasting

In order to proceed in the most structured and efficient way possible, this project is divided into 6 phases. In the first phase, we intend to use an anonymous survey of international experts in clinical fasting to find out which and how the various fasting methods currently used in clinics and individual clinicians are adapted to the different needs and illnesses of patients. For this purpose, a questionnaire will be drawn up in consultation with individual clinical experts, which will cover the aspects of the various medical fasting therapies in their preparation, implementation and follow-up for a wide range of indications in as much detail as possible. The aim is to cover not only classic therapeutic fasting / fasting according to Otto Buchinger in German-speaking countries, but also fasting therapies as practiced in other European countries, Asia, the USA and Canada. The completed questionnaire will then be filled out anonymously by selected clinics and clinicians.

The findings obtained from the clinical questionnaire will be prepared by the Scientific Committee of the study so that they can be analyzed, evaluated and discussed by international scientists in the field of fasting therapy in the 2nd project phase (two online questionnaire rounds) and 4th project phase (one online questionnaire round and one live discussion) as part of a consensus procedure, more precisely a modified Delphi study. Specific fasting practices that have not yet or not sufficiently been scientifically investigated should also be specifically addressed as part of this project. Their effectiveness is to be studied as quickly as possible in order to be able to carry out fasting therapies in clinics worldwide even more efficiently, safely and simply and to increase the evidence for these integrative medical methods. After initial findings have been obtained in the 2nd project phase through 2 rounds of online questionnaires in the scientific community, a 6-week public consultation phase will follow in which the ( professional) public will comment on the findings obtained up to that point. The results of this external review will be incorporated into the 4th project phase.

After completion of the 3rd and final online questionnaire round, a live discussion will take place among the scientific experts in order to resolve any final discrepancies. Following the evaluation of the live discussion, the Scientific Committee will internally discuss all outstanding points that have arisen from this phase and, if necessary, coordinate any necessary suggestions for changes with all participating experts via email (5th project phase). The final results will then be presented to the public in the form of updated guidelines on medical fasting therapy at a specialist event in summer 2026 and published in a specialist journal (6th project phase).