More Research on Homeopathy
Robert Medhurst | BNat ND DNutr DRM DBM DHom
Human Studies
1 . Chakraborty PS , et al . A multicentric observational study to evaluate the role of homoeopathic therapy in vitiligo . Indian J Res Homeopathy , 2015 , 9 , 167-175 . This was a multi-centre open clinical study undertaken by India ' s Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy , focused on assessing the effects of homeopathic therapy in the management of vitiligo . A total of 169 people diagnosed with vitiligo were given homeopathic medicines , based on the totality of their symptoms . The analysis of the outcomes was based on the Vitiligo Symptom Score ( VSS ) and photographs of the patients . Results were analysed using SPSS version 20 . The results showed that the changes in the mean VSS at intervals of every 6 months were statistically significant . Homeopathic treatment was found to be useful in relieving vitiligo in varying degrees in 126 patients , out of which 4 ( 2.94 %) cases showed marked improvement , 15 ( 11.03 %) cases showed moderate improvement , 77 ( 56.62 %) cases showed mild improvement , and 30 patients showed marginal improvement ( below 25 % improvement ). Ten homeopathic medicines were found useful in the study , of which Sulphur ( n = 27 ), Arsenicum album ( n = 19 ), Phosphorus ( n = 19 ), and Lycopodium clavatum ( n = 10 ) were the most commonly indicated and useful medicines .
2 . Akhil BG . An observational study on usefulness of Bromium 30C in atopic respiratory complaints by assessing serum immunoglobulin E levels . Indian J Res Homoeopathy , 2017 , 11 , 177-83 . This Indian research evaluated variations in serum IgE levels before , during and after intervention with the homeopathic medicine , Bromium 30C . Thirty people diagnosed with atopic respiratory complaints ( diagnosed based on clinical history , CMDT guidelines and serum IgE values during the first visit ) were selected as per the inclusion criteria , using a purposive sampling technique . Bromium 30C was given twice daily for 2 weeks , placebos were administered in between , and the subjects followed for 3 months . Serum IgE values were checked every month . The data were statistically analysed using mean , standard deviation and analysis of variants ( ANOVA ). The results showed a significant reduction in serum IgE levels in cases of atopic respiratory complaints during and after homeopathic treatment with Bromium 30C .
3 . To KLA , et al , Individualized homeopathic treatment in addition to conventional treatment in type II diabetic patients in Hong Kong - a retrospective cohort study . Homeopathy , 2017 , 106 , 2 , 79-86 . This retrospective cohort study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of individualised homeopathic treatment in glycaemic control at a private homeopathic centre in Hong Kong . Twenty-seven adults aged 37-84 years were treated with individualised homeopathic remedies between 2012 and 2015 . Published data on 40 type 2 diabetes patients under standard conventional treatment in Hong Kong were used as controls . The main outcome measures were changes in fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ) and glycated haemoglobin ( HbA1c ) at 12-months or the last follow-up , whichever was earlier . Compared with the conventional treatment-only group , the homeopathy group had higher baseline FPG ( p = 0.044 ), and more patients had a long (> 20 years ) duration of diabetes ( p = 0.006 ), and a history of cardiac events ( p = 0.022 ). The mean difference in FPG in the homeopathy group was significantly greater than in the control after 12 months : -2.24 mmol / L ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ]: -3.47 to -1.01 ) vs 0.16 mmol / L ( 95 % CI : -1.72 to 2.04 ), p = 0.001 . The mean difference in glycated haemoglobin ( HbA1c ) was also significantly greater , -1.11 % ( 95 % CI : -2.17 to -0.05 ) vs 0.08 % ( 95 % CI : -1.37 to 1.53 ), p = 0.046 . Poorer baseline glycaemic control was associated with better outcome ( r = -0.750 , p < 0.001 ), but not the duration of diabetes ( r = 0.058 , p = 0.772 ). The improvement was robust to sensitivity analyses .
4 . Parveen S . A retrospective study of homoeopathic treatment in patients with heel pain with or without Calcaneal Spur . Indian J Res Homoeopathy , 2017 , 11 , 64-73 . The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of homeopathic treatment for calcaneal spur ( CS ) over a period of 6 months . Ninety-two people ( 70 women and 22 men ), had undergone lateral X-ray of the ankle for non-traumatic heel pain , of whom 76 ( 82.6 %) patients had CS . The extent of CS was found to be higher in females who were of an older age , overweight , and who did manual labour . Homeopathic treatment was associated with a positive response in nearly 75 % of the CS patients . The medicines most commonly used were Calcarea flouricum , Rhus toxicodendron , Ledum palustre , and Aranea diadema .
5 . Viksveen P , Relton C , Nicholl J . Depressed patients treated by homeopaths : a randomised controlled trial using the " cohort multiple randomised controlled trial " ( cmRCT ) design . Trials , 2017 , 18 , 1 , 299 . A pragmatic trial using the " cohort multiple randomised controlled trial " design was used to test the effectiveness of adjunctive treatment by homeopaths compared to usual care alone , over a period of 12 months , in patients with self-reported depression . One third of patients were randomly selected for an offer of treatment provided by a homeopath . The primary outcome measure was the Patient Health Questionnaire ( PHQ-9 ) at 6 months . Secondary outcomes included depression scores at 12 months ; and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder ( GAD-7 ) outcome at 6 and 12 months . The trial over-recruited by 17 % with a total of 566 patients . Forty per cent took up the offer and received
216 | vol29 | no4 | JATMS