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Monitoring improvement in health during homeopathic intervention. Development of an assessment tool based on Hering’s Law of Cure: the Hering’s Law Assessment Tool (HELAT). Brien SB, Harrison H, Daniels J, Lewith G. University of Southampton, UK. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):28-37.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hering’s ‘Law of Cure’ is considered important in homeopathy and thought to predict a positive outcome to treatment. No formal outcome measures are currently available to monitor response to homeopathic treatment on the basis of these assumptions. We describe a simple assessment tool, the Hering’s Law Assessment Tool (HELAT) to identify and differentiate patient responses to homeopathic treatment as corresponding to Hering’s Law from other symptomatic responses. We describe the development of the tool and assess its face, content and predictive validity.

METHOD: The HELAT was initially developed through literature review, discussion between homeopaths and clinical experience. In phase one, the tool was reviewed by three experienced homeopaths to assess face and content validity. In phase two, we tested its predictive validity by hypothesizing that the HELAT total score may predict changes in a clinical response (using standard validated rheumatological outcome, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20%) in 32 patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving homeopathic intervention over 24 weeks as part of a clinical trial.

RESULTS: The HELAT was piloted and changed to improve face and content validity and the final version was then employed for phase two as a predictor of outcome. HELAT total score predicted patient’s clinical response (ACR20) [B = 1.142, SE = 0.462, P = 0.013] which was independent of practitioner assessing the patients treatment response [B = 1.04, SE = 1.01, P = 0.302].

CONCLUSION: The initial data suggests that the HELAT may hold promise for a potential clinical and research outcome measure in homeopathy. Further work is now needed to formally assess its reliability and validity for potential use in clinical practice and trials.

http://sueyounghistories.com/archives/2008/01/26/constantine-hering-and-homeopathy/

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Prospective observational study of 42 patients with atopic dermatitis treated with homeopathic medicines. Eizayaga JE, Eizayaga JI. Departamento de Homeopatía, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):21-7.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disease which usually develops during childhood. Despite being a condition frequently treated with homeopathy, the evidence is still insufficient to define homeopathic treatment’s efficacy and the best therapeutic strategies.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathic treatment of AD in a general homeopathic practice setting.

METHODS: Patients spontaneously seeking homeopathic treatment meeting Hanifin and Rajka’s criteria were prospectively treated. Severity of disease was evaluated by Rajka and Langeland’s score and a set of four Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) evaluating disease severity, itch, general and psychological wellbeing and quality of sleep. Assessed outcomes were: change in AD extension, change in VASs, and a categorical scale for global subjective perception of evolution.

RESULTS: Forty two patients were eligible. Twenty-one had other atopic comorbidities and 28 (66.7%) were moderate or severe cases. Sixteen (38.1%) patients dropped out. Significant differences were found comparing first and last consultations in mean percentage (95%CI) of affected skin area, 21.1% (10.9; 31.4) versus 5.5% (1.3; 9.7) respectively, P=0.002, and in the change or the four VASs: [mm (95%CI)] AD 31.1 (20.6; 41.7), P<0.0001; Itch 35.0 (23.6; 46.4), P<0.0001; General wellbeing 11.1 (1.2; 20.9), P<0.0188, and Sleep 17.4 (5.0; 29.8), P<0.0073. Homeopathic aggravations were reported after 29.8% of prescriptions. Twelve individualized homeopathic medicines were prescribed; Sulphur accounted for 60% of cases with good treatment response.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in a general medical practice setting, homeopathic treatment could be regarded as an effective choice for patients with AD.

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Homeopathy in paediatric atopic diseases: long-term results in children with atopic dermatitis. Rossi E, Bartoli P, Bianchi A, Da Frè M. Homeopathic Clinic, Local Health Unit n. 2, Lucca, Tuscany Regional Homeopathic Reference Centre, Italy. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):13-20.

Abstract

AIM: To study the socio-demographic features, the prescribed remedies and the outcome of atopic diseases in children treated with homeopathy at the Homeopathic Clinic of Lucca (Italy), and the long-term outcome of children suffering from atopic dermatitis (AD) after an approximate 8-year period (range 5-10years).

METHODS: Our data derive from an observational longitudinal study carried out on 213 children (38.6%) with atopic diseases out of 551 children consecutively examined from September 1998 to December 2008. We used the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital Outcome Score to evaluate the results that were classified on the basis of a Likert scale.

RESULTS: Eighty-three (39%) children were affected by asthma, 51 (24%) by allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, 76 (36%) by AD and 3 (1%) by food intolerance. Follow-up patients were 104 (48.8%), and 65 (62.5%) of them reported a major improvement or resolution. The parents of paediatric patients suffering from AD, who had started homeopathic treatment at <4.9years of age were invited to follow-up assessment 8years later and 40 children (mean age 12.9) were examined; 28/40 (70%) had a complete disappearance of AD, 12/40 children (30.0%) were still affected by AD; 8/40 (20%) had asthma and 8/40 patients had, or developed, allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSION: These preliminary results seem to confirm a positive therapeutic effect of homeopathy in atopic children. Furthermore, according to the data from the literature paediatric patients treated with homeopathy seem to show a reduced tendency to maintain AD and develop asthma (and allergic rhinitis) in adult age.

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Randomized controlled pilot study to compare Homeopathy and Conventional therapy in Acute Otitis Media. Sinha MN, Siddiqui VA, Nayak C, Singh V, Dixit R, Dewan D, Mishra A. Regional Research Institute of Homeopathy, Jaipur (Rajasthan), India. Homeopathy. 2012 Jan;101(1):5-12.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of Homeopathy and Conventional therapy in Acute Otitis Media (AOM).

METHOD: A randomized placebo-controlled parallel group pilot study of homeopathic vs conventional treatment for AOM was conducted in Jaipur, India. Patients were randomized by a computer generated random number list to receive either individualized homeopathic medicines in fifty millesimal (LM) potencies, or conventional treatment including analgesics, antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients who did not improve were prescribed antibiotics at the 3rd day. Outcomes were assessed by the Acute Otitis Media-Severity of Symptoms (AOM-SOS) Scale and Tympanic Membrane Examination over 21 days.

RESULTS: 81 patients were included, 80 completed follow-up: 41 for conventional and 40 for homeopathic treatment. In the Conventional group, all 40 (100%) patients were cured, in the Homeopathy group, 38 (95%) patients were cured while 02 (5%) patients were lost to the last two follow-up. By the 3rd day of treatment, 4 patients were cured in Homeopathy group but in Conventional group only one patient was cured. In the Conventional group antibiotics were prescribed in 39 (97.5%), no antibiotics were required in the Homeopathy group. 85% of patients were prescribed six homeopathic medicines.

CONCLUSION: Individualized homeopathy is an effective conventional treatment in AOM, there were no significant differences between groups in the main outcome. Symptomatic improvement was quicker in the Homeopathy group, and there was a large difference in antibiotic requirements, favouring homeopathy. Further work on a larger scale should be conducted.

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Complementary and alternative medical therapies for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Pellow J, Solomon EM, Barnard CN. Registered Homoeopath, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Department of Homeopathy, Johannesburg, South Africa E-mail: jpellow@uj.ac.za. Altern Med Rev. 2011 Dec;16(4):323-37.

Abstract: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed childhood disorder characterized by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. ADHD affects up to 1 in 20 children in the United States. The underlying etiologies of ADHD may be heterogeneous and diverse, and many possible risk factors in the development of ADHD have been identified.

Conventional treatment usually consists of behavioral accommodations and medication, with stimulant medication most commonly being prescribed.

Parents concerned about the side effects and long-term use of conventional medications are increasingly seeking alternatives to pharmacologic treatment. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) offers parents various treatment options for this condition, including dietary modifications, nutritional supplementation, herbal medicine, and homeopathy.

CAM appears to be most effective when prescribed holistically and according to each individual’s characteristic symptoms. Possible etiologies and risk factors for the condition also need to be considered when developing a treatment plan. This article serves to highlight the latest research regarding the most commonly used CAM for children with ADHD.

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Characterization of essential oil and effects on growth of Verbena gratissima plants treated with homeopathic phosphorus. Santos FM, Monfort LE, Castro DM, Pinto JE, Leonardi M, Pistelli L. Department of Agriculture, Federal University of Lavras, P.O. Box 3037, Lavras/MG, BR 37200-000, Brazil. fulvia.maria@gmail.com Nat Prod Commun. 2011 Oct;6(10):1499-504.

Abstract

Plant models offer a method to examine the efficacy of homeopathic solutions. Homeopathic Phosphorus (P) dynamizations were evaluated on the linear growth and dry biomass of Verbena gratissima, a plant native to Brazil. The yields and chemical characterization of the essential oil are also given. Plants exhibited phenotypic plasticity after the homeopathic Phosphorus treatments.

The dynamization 9CH, in particular, interfered with plant growth, height, diameter of stems and total dry mass. 9CH treatment showed the highest yield of essential oil. The essential oil composition of V. gratissima varied according to the different dynamization used.

Homeopathic Phosphorus provided the greatest amount of beta-pinene, trans-pinocarveol, trans-pinocamphone and trans-pinocarvyl acetate in comparison with controls.

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Comparison of swiss basic health insurance costs of complementary and conventional medicine. Studer HP, Busato A. Speicherschwendi, University of Bern, Switzerland.Forsch Komplementmed. 2011;18(6):315-20. Epub 2011 Nov 25.

Abstract

Background: From 1999 to 2005, 5 methods of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) applied by physicians were provisionally included into mandatory Swiss basic health insurance. Between 2012 and 2017, this will be the case again. Within this process, an evaluation of cost-effectiveness is required. The goal of this study is to compare practice costs of physicians applying CAM with those of physicians applying solely conventional medicine (COM).

Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional investigation of claims data of mandatory health insurance. For the years 2002 and 2003, practice costs of 562 primary care physicians with and without a certificate for CAM were analyzed and compared with patient-reported outcomes. Linear models were used to obtain estimates of practice costs controlling for different patient populations and structural characteristics of practices across CAM and COM.

Results: Statistical procedures show similar total practice costs for CAM and COM, with the exception of homeopathy with 15.4% lower costs than COM. Furthermore, there were significant differences between CAM and COM in cost structure especially for the ratio between costs for consultations and costs for medication at the expense of basic health insurance. Patients reported better quality of the patient-physician relationship and fewer adverse side effects in CAM; higher cost-effectiveness for CAM can be deduced from this perspective.

Conclusion: This study uses a health system perspective and demonstrates at least equal or better cost-effectiveness of CAM in the setting of Swiss ambulatory care. CAM can therefore be seen as a valid complement to COM within Swiss health care.

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Homeopathy enables rheumatoid arthritis patients to cope with their chronic ill health: A qualitative study of patient’s perceptions of the homeopathic consultation. Brien SB, Leydon GM, Lewith G. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.Patient Educ Couns. 2011 Dec 14.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The role of the consultation in mediating improved clinical outcomes has been demonstrated in both conventional and complementary medicine but to date no depth study has explored how complementary medical consultations achieve such benefits. This study explored rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients’ perceptions of the homeopathic consultation including any perceived benefit.

METHODS: Qualitative study nested within a placebo-controlled multi-centre trial assessing adjunctive homeopathic intervention for RA. In-depth face to face interviews (with 16 participants) were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS: RA participants perceived homeopathic consultations helped them cope better through either enabling improved physical health, wellbeing and/or illness management. Four themes associated with improved coping were: receiving emotional support; exploring the illness; exploring self; and gaining advice. Exploring the wider narrative of their illness, enabled participants to address their individual needs and for some, this process of increased awareness changed their perception resulting in the perceived benefits.

CONCLUSION: Homeopathic consultations enable RA patient to cope better.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Homeopathic consultations may provide an additional resource for RA patients. Identifying and employing the “active ingredients” that confer benefit may be appropriate for other clinicians to maximise patient benefits from consultations.

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