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Dore’s technique was inspired by the work of Harold Levinson, an American psychiatrist. It is based on the theory that the cause of dyslexia is a fault in the cerebellum, an area of the brain controlling balance and muscle movement.

It suggests new neural connections are formed by stimulating the cerebellum with repeated exercises such as the bean bag and wobble board routines. These connections can help to alleviate dyslexia and other conditions.

In its promotional material, the Dore Foundation cites the study published online last month by the journal Dyslexia.

It follows the progress of 29 of the weakest readers at a Warwickshire school who were given the exercise-based treatment over two years.

The study found “significant and lasting” gains in cognitive and literacy skills and was hailed by David Reynolds, professor of education at Plymouth University and the paper’s author, as “the closest thing to a cure that I have ever seen”.

The Dore Foundation’s website describes the technique as a drug-free solution for the symptoms of dyslexia and ADHD. But it has provoked fierce criticism in academic circles.

In addition to the five who have resigned, one of the journal’s executive editors is also on the verge of leaving.

Several academics raised concerns over apparent conflicts of interest. Reynolds was paid £30,000 in expenses by Dore to carry out the study, and was formerly a paid director in a company run by the businessman. Three quarters of the screening tests on the children were carried out by researchers from DDAT, a Dore firm.

Professor Rod Nicolson, a psychologist at Sheffield University and the study’s co-author, supervises the postgraduate study of Dore’s business partner, Dr Roy Rutherford.

Dore has also sponsored three PhD students in Nicolson’s department. Questions have also been raised over Nicolson’s working relationship with Angela Fawcett, editor of Dyslexia. They have written 30 articles and three books together.

Dr Michael Thomson, executive editor of Dyslexia, who is considering tendering his notice, said: “I think the editor is too closely associated with Nicolson. It is depressing this (research) is associated with a journal purporting to be objective.”

The study also faced criticism as most of the children assessed were not dyslexic. Some were 22 months ahead of their reading age before the treatment while the writing and semantic fluency of most was above average.

John Stein, professor of physiology at Cambridge University, was also concerned by the lack of a control group and the small scale of the study.

He said: “I have serious concerns about the study. Without a control group, you don’t know how the children would have done, or how they would have progressed without the exercises.”

Reynolds denied any conflict of interest. He admitted there were “minor” design problems, but maintained the study showed Dore’s technique brought a “quantum improvement”.

He said: “Before the treatment began, independent school reading tests showed that children with reading difficulties were making only seven months progress in 12 months. In the 12 months of treatment the children made 20 months’ improvement.”

Dore said of his critics: “This is a flat earth society response. We have done (the study) honestly, we have done it scientifically, we have done every piece of research that everyone has suggested.”

Trevor Davies, head teacher at Balsall Common primary in Kenilworth where the study was carried out, backed Dore, saying: “It has been a very successful programme for our pupils.”

Caroline Barlow, 40, whose daughter Laura, 12, took part in the trial, said she had performed well in her exams after the treatment, but previously had had trouble keeping up.

“It’s treating the cause, not just the symptoms,” said Barlow.

Reynolds insisted there was no conflict of interest. “I have done absolutely nothing except tell the truth,” he said. Nicolson admitted his links to Dore could be seen as a “potential conflict of interest”, but said his work was independent. Fawcett said she had “stood well back” from the decision to publish the paper.

• Scientists at Edinburgh and Brisbane universities have identified the genetic sequence linked to dyslexia. It opens the way to unborn babies being diagnosed with the condition and may mean they can be treated as early as three years old.

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