Avilian

The personality of homeopaths: a cross-sectional survey of the personality profiles of homeopaths compared to a norm sample. Rise MB, Langvik E, Steinsbekk A. Source 1 Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science and Technology , Trondheim, Norway . J Altern Complement Med. 2012 Jan;18(1):42-7.

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) was used to describe the personality profiles of homeopaths in Norway. It was hypothesized that the homeopaths would score higher than the norm sample on Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness.

Design: The NEO-PI-R describes personality scores on five traits; Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. A cross-sectional survey of 128 (39%) members of the Norwegian association for homeopaths was compared with the Norwegian population norm sample.

Results: Compared to the norm population score with a mean of 50, the homeopaths scored significantly higher on the personality traits Openness (54.7) and Agreeableness (58.0). Significant, but small differences were also observed with a higher score on Conscientiousness (52.3) and a lower score on Extraversion (48.3). There were no significant differences on Neuroticism (49.7).

Conclusions: People who work as homeopaths can be described as open to new and different ideas, and as caring, understanding, and altruistic persons. Therefore, there is reason to believe that these dispositions are central in choosing homeopathy as an occupation. Further research should investigate whether personality traits are associated with important occupational areas such as job satisfaction, occupational stability, or income.

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Contribution of world health organization in the global acceptance of Ayurveda. Chaudhary A, Singh N. Department of Rasa Shastra, Faculty of Ayurveda, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2011 Oct;2(4):179-86.

Abstract

Amongst the mandates of United Nations, health of mankind is the thrust area of UN through World Health Organization (WHO). Planning and execution of policies for mainstreaming of traditional medicines (TRM) of respective countries along with conventional system of medicine (allopathy), first in the country of origin followed by the international arena, is the priority agenda of operations of WHO.

Within Indian context, WHO accorded prime focus to Ayurveda in its activities related to TRM.Sponsorship and encouragement of studies substantiating parameters of standardization, safety and efficacy of herbal medicines of Ayurveda are under chief consideration of WHO. In this review, several guidelines of WHO are summarized.

Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), Central Council of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha and numerous other collaborative centers of WHO in India are assigned with several Appraisal Project Work (APW) and Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) projects that will strengthen Ayurveda as evidence-based medicine for its global acceptance. Implementation of pharmacovigilance program in Ayurveda, publication of documents for rational use and initiatives to prepare consumer guidelines for appropriate use of Ayurvedic medicines are some other contributions of WHO toward advancement of Ayurveda at national as well as global level.

Here, we suggest further exploration, interaction and interpretation of traditional knowledge in the light of contemporary core sciences and biomedical sciences that can pave the way for accreditation of Ayurveda worldwide as an established system of medicine.

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Development of broiler chickens after treatment with thymulin 5cH: a zoo technical approach. Sato C, Listar VG, Bonamin LV. Centro de Pesquisa, Universidade Paulista, Rua Dr Bacelar, 1212. 4° andar, 04026-002 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):68-73.

Abstract

Modulation of immune response due to thymulin 5cH has been previously observed. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the development of broiler chickens treated with thymulin 5cH by conventional zoo technical indices, phytohemaglutinin induced inflammation test and histomorphometric analysis of lymphoid organs (thymus, Fabricius bursa and spleen). Animals were divided in two groups: (a) test: birds with free access to thymulin 5cH diluted into the drink water and (b) control: birds with free access to water only, from the 1st to the 42nd day of life. All experimental procedures were done in blind. The results show that thymulin 5cH treated group had increased productivity index compared to control (391.45 versus 261.93) associated with higher viability in the 7th week (p = 0.013), and a possible shunt to B lymphocyte activity. The data suggest that thymulin 5cH could be a viable method to improve productivity in poultry production due to its immune modulation properties.

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Effects of Ignatia amara in mouse behavioural models. Marzotto M, Conforti A, Magnani P, Zanolin ME, Bellavite P. Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona (I), Italy. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):57-67.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ignatia amara (Ignatia), a remedy made from the Strychnos ignatii seeds, is used for anxiety-related symptoms, but consistent evidence of its activity in reproducible experimental models is lacking. An investigation was performed in order to assess on mice, by means of emotional response models, the activity of homeopathic Ignatia dilutions/dynamizations.

METHODS: Groups of 8 mice of the CD1 albino strain were treated intraperitoneally for 9 days with 0.3ml of five centesimal (C) dilutions/dynamizations of Ignatia (4C, 5C, 7C, 9C and 30C). Control mice were treated with the same hydroalcoholic (0.3%) solution used to dilute the medicines. Diazepam (1mg/kg) was the positive reference drug. Validated test models for locomotion and emotional response, the Open-Field (OF) and the Light-Dark (LD) tests, were employed. Five replications of the same protocol were carried out, in a randomised way using coded drugs/controls.

RESULTS: In the OF the general locomotion of mice was slightly decreased by Ignatia 4C, but not by Ignatia 5C, 7C, 9C and 30C, indicating the absence of unspecific motor impairment or sedation by these dilutions/dynamizations. Ignatia and diazepam seemed to decrease the number of urine spots released in the OF during 10min, with borderline significance (P=0.083). In the LD the tested medicine showed anxiolytic-like activity (increase of time spent and distance travelled in the lit area), though to a lesser extent than diazepam. The highest and most significant difference with untreated controls (P<0.01) was observed with the 9C dilution/dynamization. Among the 5 replication experiments, the best drug effects were obtained where the baseline anxiety of mice was higher.

CONCLUSIONS: Homeopathic Ignatia dilutions/dynamizations (peak at 9C) modify some emotion-related symptoms in laboratory mice without affecting locomotion.

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Running an NHS community homeopathy clinic – 10-year anniversary 2001-2011. Bawden S. The Cornwall Road Medical Practice, 3 Frederick Treves House, St John Way, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2FD, UK. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):51-6.

Abstract

An outcome series was conducted over a five-year period of patients attending a community NHS homeopathy clinic in Dorchester, Dorset. 273 new patients were seen. 183 (67%) questionnaires were completed at six months after initial consultation. 44% of patients had been unwell for more than five years; 19% of all patients for more than 15 years. A wide variety of conditions were seen, the largest group with depression, anxiety or grief. For follow-up patients 75-81% indicated an improvement in their symptoms and activity while 58% recorded an improvement in their overall wellbeing. Six months after the initiation of treatment 155 (84.7%) felt an improvement in their condition with 148 (81%) attributing this to homeopathy. Nobody reported deterioration due to homeopathic treatment; conventional drug use was reduced in 46 patients (25%).

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The impact of the medical speciality in primary health-care problem solving in Belo Horizonte, Brazil: homeopaths versus family doctors: a preliminary quantitative study. Iannotti G, Melo EM. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Argentina; Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade José do Rosário Vellano (Unifenas), Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Instituto Mineiro de Homeopatia, Serviço Phýsis de Homeopatia, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Facoltà di Giurisprudenza, Università degli studi di Macerata, Italy; Super Liga Chaves de Medicina. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):44-50.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This research project examined influence of the doctors’ speciality on primary health care (PHC) problem solving in Belo Horizonte (BH) Brazil, comparing homeopathic with family health doctors (FH), from the management’s and the patients’ viewpoint. In BH, both FH and homeopathic doctors work in PHC. The index of resolvability (IR) is used to compare resolution of problems by doctors.

METHODS: The present research compared IR, using official data from the Secretariat of Health and test requests made by the doctors and 482 structured interviews with patients. A total of 217,963 consultations by 14 homeopaths and 67 FH doctors between 1 July 2006 and 30 June 2007 were analysed.

RESULTS: The results show significant differences greater problem resolution by homeopaths compared to FH doctors.

CONCLUSION: In BH, the medical speciality, homeopathy or FH, has an impact on problem solving, both from the managers’ and the patients’ point of view. Homeopaths request fewer tests and have better IR compared with FH doctors. Specialisation in homeopathy is an independent positive factor in problem solving at PHC level in BH, Brazil.

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Homeopathic medicines substantially reduce the need for clotting factor concentrates in haemophilia patients: results of a blinded placebo controlled cross over trial. Kundu T, Shaikh A, Kutty A, Nalvade A, Kulkarni S, Kulkarni R, Ghosh K. Haemophilia Care Centre:Nashik Chapter, Niramay Nursing Home, Adwait Colony, Canada Corner, Sharanpur Road, Nashik 422-005, India. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):38-43.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Modern management of haemophilia patients is expensive: 90% of expenditure is on clotting factor concentrates. Any intervention which reduces the need for clotting factor concentrates in these patients without compromising the quality of life is of interest.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effectiveness of individualised homeopathic medicines in reducing the requirement of factor concentrates in haemophilia patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a single blind placebo controlled cross over trial 28 consecutive persons with haemophilia (PWH) with severe (24) or moderately severe (4) disease received standard management with placebo homeopathy for 1 year and active homeopathic treatment in the subsequent year with the same conventional management. There was no wash out period. They received standard managements for any acute emergency during the study period. Development of inhibitor during the study period was a withdrawal criterion. Sample size for the trial was calculated as 24 PWH. Transfusion requirements, bleeding scores, pain scores were evaluated blind by independent experts. Homeopathic medicines were selected by experienced homeopathic physicians depending on clinical condition of the patient. Chi-squared and paired t tests were used in statistical analysis.

RESULTS: 28 patients were recruited. Homeopathic medicines improved frequency of bleeding, extent of bleeding, blood products consumed and pain scores (P<0.0001). There was also significant improvement in well being. Plasma levels of clotting factors did not change. No patients developed inhibitors during the study there were no dropouts.

CONCLUSION: Individualised homeopathic medicines may have an important supportive role in the management of PWH, where blood products and factor concentrates are not easily available. Larger, perhaps multicentric trials are warranted.

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