RECENT RESEARCH
Homeopathy
Maftei NM , Nechifor A , Tan B , Elisei AM , Pelin AM , Nechita L , Tatu AL , Leow LJ , Nwabudike LC . Therapeutic applications for homeopathy in clinical practice . Adv Ther . 2025 Jan ; 42 ( 1 ): 36- 51 . doi : 10.1007 / s12325-024-03022-5
Homeopathy was founded some two hundred years ago by Dr Samuel Christian Hahnemann . Over time , it has grown to be among the most frequently used forms of alternative medicine in Europe and the USA . It is underpinned by the principle of ' like cures like ', where highly diluted substances are used for therapeutic purposes , by producing similar symptoms to when the substance is used in healthy people . Many studies have been published on the value of homeopathy in treating diseases such as cancer , depression , psoriasis , allergic rhinitis , asthma , otitis , migraine , neuroses , allergies , joint disease , insomnia , sinusitis , urinary tract infections and acne , to name a few . We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on homeopathy and evaluated its effectiveness in clinical practice . While there is evidence of the clinical benefits of homeopathy , its formal application requires more rigorous randomised controlled trials .
Kulkarni R . Nocturnal enuresis and homeopathy : A case report . Altern Ther Health Med . 2025 Feb 3 : AT11465
Context : Bedwetting is a socially disruptive condition that can lower an individual ' s self-confidence . Bedwetting is quite common in school-going children and a close correlation has been observed between the mind and physical symptoms in many cases . Reassurance and relieving the anxiety in patients can help reduce the complaints . Nocturnal enuresis in a 9-year-old girl was treated with the constitutional approach to homeopathic medicine .
Objective : This case was undertaken to assess the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicine for managing nocturnal enuresis .
Case summary : A 9-year-old girl came with complaints of bedwetting for the past 1 year . It was noticed that she had lost her sister who was 5 years old . The patient was thirsty and thermally chilly . No change in bowel habits was noted . Sleep was disturbed in the first half of night due to involuntary urination . The patient had a craving for sweets and a strong aversion to milk . After a detailed analysis of the case , the homeopathic medicine Ignatia amara 30C was prescribed for 15 days , and satisfactory results were observed .
Result : This case was successfully treated with the selected homeopathic medicine , preventing further complications .
Conclusion : Further studies can be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of homeopathy in the management of nocturnal enuresis .
Massage , myotherapy and other bodywork
Liu X , Zang L , Lu Q , Zhang Y , Meng Q . Effect of massage and touch on agitation in dementia : A meta-analysis . J Clin Nurs . 2025 Feb 4 . doi : 10.1111 / jocn . 17674
Aims and objectives : To systematically assess the effects of massage and touch on agitation in patients with dementia and to determine the optimal intervention design .
Background : Agitated behaviour is the most common behavioural symptom in patients with dementia and can seriously affect the health status and quality of life of individuals with dementia and their caregivers . Massage and touch have been widely used as a nonpharmacological intervention to address the behavioural issues of dementia . However , current research findings on the effects of massage and touch on agitation in people with dementia are inconsistent .
Design : A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials .
Methods : This meta-analysis complied with PRISMA guidelines , and relevant literature up to January 2024 was systematically retrieved from PubMed , Embase , Web of Science , the Clinical Trials Registry , Cochrane Library and four Chinese databases . Statistical evaluations were performed utilising Review Manager 5.4 , and the included studies ' bias risks were assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration tool .
Results : Seventeen randomised controlled trials involving 980 patients with dementia were included . The results of the meta-analysis showed that massage and touch could ameliorate agitation and behaviour problems in dementia . Subgroup analyses based on massage type showed that hand , head and foot massage significantly improved agitation . Massage and touch for ≤ 4 weeks were more effective in reducing agitated behaviour than those for > 4 weeks . Furthermore , subgroup analysis revealed that massages and touch were more effective for individuals with less severe dementia .
Conclusions : Massage and touch in the short term can effectively improve agitation in dementia patients , while hand , head and foot massage can effectively reduce agitation . Thus , clinical nursing staff and caregivers of individuals should be actively helped to apply massage and touch to their patients . However , more studies are needed to validate our results before we can give a more definitive recommendation .
Relevance to clinical practice : This study suggests that massage and touch can be used as complementary treatments for agitation in people with dementia and encourages nursing staff and caregivers to apply massage and touch to better cope with the agitated behaviour of older adults with dementia .
Huang SY , Chiao CY , Chien LY . Effectiveness of abdominal massage on chronic constipation in adults : A systematic review and metaanalysis . Int J Nurs Stud . 2025 Jan ; 161:104936 . doi : 10.1016 / j . ijnurstu . 2024.104936
50 | vol31 | no1 | JATMS