Spurious or fraud are probably not the right terms to use if you think the reasoning is flawed in a discussion. These usually have a negative connotation that there is some sort of deceptive motivation at play.
The disconnect is what is assumed by assistance.
With gearing there are two types of power input. Over all energy and intensity.
One might argue that regardless of single speed or multi gear the over all input is the same (I don't know for sure) ie. To cover X distance up a hill you burn Y calories. Whether you burn them by spinning for a hour in a granny gear or cranking for 15 minutes on a single speed is not the point as far as total calories used.
However, what changes is the intensity. You need less intensity with multi gears than with a single speed (assuming normal gear ratios and not some oddball gear). That is why multi gears are used and we all know this. So many threads about what cassettes to use for touring, whether to go double or triple crank, what size granny gear. All designed to reduce the intensity of pedaling for loaded touring (most of the time to save our aging knees).
People with impairments may need assistance with both forms of input power. They may not be able to generate the intensity needed and/or they may not be able to sustain the total output. The poster back a few pages who lost 1/3 of his heart muscle is a perfect example of where this may occur. Online, post# 150 for reference.
Perhaps not fully understood, but not spurious or a fraud.
Last edited by Happy Feet; 07-19-16 at 08:50 AM.