An Update on Homeopathic research
Robert Medhurst | BNat ND DHom
Not long ago in Australia , the National Health and Medical Research Council , the Australian Federal Government ' s peak advisory body on healthcare , released its findings into the effectiveness of 17 natural medicine modalities , one of which was homeopathy . It found that there was insufficient evidence of effectiveness or that the evidence for a clinical effect was inconclusive for these therapies . For homeopathy , it was an interesting outcome given the amount of good quality evidence that confirms its effectiveness . Some examples of this follow .
Human Studies
1 . Fibert P , et al . A Comparative Consecutive Case Series of 20 Children With a Diagnosis of ADHD Receiving Homeopathic Treatment , Compared With 10 Children Receiving Usual Care . Homeopathy , 2016 , 105 , 194-201 . This UK research compared the clinical effects of individualised homeopathic treatment for 1 year in 20 children diagnosed with ADHD , with standard treatment for 10 children diagnosed with the same condition for 4 months . Parents completed Conners ’ Parent Rating Scale , Revised Long Version ( CPRS-R : L ) and Measure Your Own Medical Outcome Profile ( MYMOP ) every consultation at baseline and every 4 months , from which DSMIV total scores were extracted . The use of homeopathy was associated with statistically significant improvements in criminality and anger and improvements in children with a concomitant diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder in treated children over the year :
2 . Jong M , et al . A Randomized Open Comparative Clinical Trial on the Effectiveness , Safety and Tolerability of a Homeopathic Medicinal Product for Frequent Acute Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children . Homeopathy , 2016 , 105 , 16 . This European study looked at the clinical effect of a complex of homeopathically potentised material ( Immunokind ) in children with upper respiratory tract infection ( URTI ). The trial design used two parallel treatment groups at four outpatient paediatric clinics in Russia . A total of 201 children with a susceptibility to URTI ( three or more occasions during the last six months ) were randomly assigned to receive the complex or an identical placebo for 3 weeks and were then followed up at 6 months posttreatment . The primary effectiveness endpoint was a change in the frequency of the URTI after 3 and 6 months of follow-up compared to baseline frequency of URTI ( last 12 months prior to study ). Secondary endpoints were changes in total complaints , symptom scores , antibiotic use , treatment satisfaction , tolerability and safety . An analysis of the results showed that Immunokind tablets appeared to be effective in preventing recurrent URTI ' s .
3 . Phing TC . A Retrospective Cohort Study on the Efficacy of Homeopathy Compared to Homeopathy Plus
Conventional Medicine in the Treatment of Hypertension . Homeopathy , 2016 , 105 , 11 . This Malaysian research aimed to evaluate the effects of homeopathic treatment compared to integrated treatment using homeopathy plus conventional pharmacotherapy for hypertension . Data was collected at the National Academy of Homoeopathy in Maharashtra , India , from the Shaad Homoeopathic Hospital Complex & Research Centre . Data from 41 people diagnosed with hypertension was used in the study . Twenty-two patients had been treated with homeopathy and 19 with integrated therapy . Statistical results calculated using repeated ANOVA suggested that homeopathy on its own is as efficacious as homeopathy plus conventional pharmacotherapy in the treatment of hypertension .
4 . Brule D , et al . Feasibility and Clinical Results of a Pilot Trial of Individualized Homeopathic Treatment of Fatigue in Children Receiving Chemotherapy . Homeopathy , 2016 , 105 , 9 . A Canadian team from the Hospital for Sick Children set about examining the effects of individualised homeopathic treatment for fatigue in people aged 2-18 years receiving chemotherapy . Eight patients diagnosed with various forms of cancer who were receiving chemotherapy were treated with homeopathy and completed 14 days of assessment , symptom scores , and proxy-report
JATMS | Spring 2022 | 145