Scientific Testing Of Homeopathy special section

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Research Article

Complementary and alternative medical therapies used by children with cancer treated at an Italian pediatric oncology unit
Carlo Alfredo Clerici, MD 1 2 *, Laura Veneroni, MS 2, Barbara Giacon, MS 1, Luigi Mariani, MD 3, Franca Fossati-Bellani, MD 11Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
2Section of Psychology, Department of Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
3Unit of Bio-Statistic, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
email: Carlo Alfredo Clerici ([email protected])

*Correspondence to Carlo Alfredo Clerici, Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Via G. Venezian, 1 20133 Milano MI, Italy.

Funded by:
Associazione Bianca Garavaglia, Busto Arsizio VA, Italy

Keywordsalternative therapies • children • complementary therapies • oncology • pediatric patientsAbstract
BackgroundResearch has identified a growing use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in the pediatric oncology setting and health care professionals should consider how they might interact with and/or be used in lieu of conventional treatment. The present study was designed to establish the prevalence of CAM usage at an Italian pediatric oncology department, and the reasons why patients used these unconventional therapies.
ProcedureThis was an observational study involving parents whose children were treated for tumors at the pediatric oncology unit of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori in Milano. Data were collected on their sociodemographic variables and their use of CAM by means of a self-administered questionnaire.
ResultsWe distributed 145 questionnaires and 97 of them (67%) were returned. Judging from this survey, 12.4% of the children used at least one type of CAM and homoeopathy was the most often used. Benefits were reported by 83% of parents. The most common reasons for using CAM were to reduce the side-effects of conventional therapies. The oncologists taking care of the patients were notified of the child's use of CAM in only one case.
ConclusionCAM were used not as a substitute but in addition to conventional treatments. In almost all cases, oncologists were not informed that a child was using CAM, posing a risk of any interaction with pharmacological treatments being inadequately understood. Pediatr Blood Cancer. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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Homeopathic Pathogenetic Trials Produce Specific Symptoms Different from Placebo
Heribert Möllingera, Rainer Schneiderb, Harald Walachc

a Private Practice, Amriswil, Switzerland
b Department of Human Sciences, University of Osnabrück, Germany
c School of Social Sciences and Samueli Institute, European Office, University of Northampton, UK

Forsch Komplementmed 2009;16:105-110 (DOI: 10.1159/000209386)

Key Words

• Homeopathy
• Placebo
• Double-blind
• Randomised controlled trial
• RCT
• Pathogenetic trial

Summary

Introduction: Homeopathy uses information gathered from healthy volunteers taking homeopathic substances (pathogenetic trials) for clinical treatment. It is controversial whether such studies produce symptoms different from those produced by placebo. Objective: To test whether homeopathic preparations produce different symptoms than placebo in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Three armed, double-blind, placebo controlled randomised experimental pathogenetic study in 25 healthy volunteers who took either one of two homeopathic remedies, Natrum muriaticum and Arsenicum album in 30CH or identical placebo. Main outcome parameter was the number of remedy-specific symptoms per group.

Results: On average, 6 symptoms typical for Arsenicum album were experienced by participants taking arsenicum album, 5 symptoms typical for Natrum muriaticum by those taking natrum muriaticum, and 11 non-specific symptoms by those in the placebo group. Differences were significant overall (Kruskall Wallis test, p = 0.0002,) and significantly different from placebo (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Homeopathic remedies produce different symptoms than placebo.
Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Author Contacts
Prof. Harald Walach, PhD, University of Northampton, School of Social Sciences and Samueli Institute, European Office, Boughton Green Rd, Northampton NN2 7AL, UK, Tel. +44 1604 892952, [email protected]

Article Information
Published_online: April 9, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 6

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doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.11.007


Copyright © 2008 The Faculty of Homeopathy Published by Elsevier Ltd. Original paper

Ignatia in the treatment of oral lichen planus





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Fahimeh Mousavia, Safa Sherafatia and Yalda Nozad Mojaver

aDepartment of Oral Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Dental school, Tehran, Iran



Received 3 June 2008;
revised 15 October 2008;
accepted 12 November 2008.
Available online 9 January 2009.

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of Ignatia homeopathic 30C in management of oral lichen planus (OLP).

Methods and materials

In this single blind randomized control clinical trial, 30 consecutive patients with oral lesions consistent clinically and histologically with erosive and/or atrophic OLP were recruited. The patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive Ignatia or placebo. They were treated for 4 months.

Results

Mean lesion sizes and mean pain measures differed between control and treatment groups favouring Ignatia (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Ignatia has a beneficial effect in treatment of OLP in selected patients.

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doi:10.1016/j.homp.2008.11.008


Copyright © 2008 The Faculty of Homeopathy Published by Elsevier Ltd. Original paper

Evaluation of the quality of life after individualized homeopathic treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis. A prospective, open, non-comparative study


Maria Goossens1, Gert Laekeman2, Bert Aertgeerts1, Frank Buntinx1, 3 and The ARCH study group: Marc Dandois, Leon Scheepers, Jean-Louis Smout, Michel van Wassenhoven, Jo Linmans, Erwin Doeuvre4

1Department of General Practice, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, ACHG-KULeuven, Kapucijnenvoer 33, Blok J, bus 7001, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
2Pharmacology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
3Universiteit Maastricht, The Netherlands
4Member of the Unio Homoeopathica Belgica, Belgium



Received 20 January 2008;
revised 15 October 2008;
accepted 18 November 2008.
Available online 9 January 2009.

Background

Quality of life (QoL) is an important outcome measure in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), a condition for which homeopathy is frequently used.

Objective

The assessment of the effect of homeopathic medical prescriptions with the Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) in the treatment of SAR.

Methods

A prospective, open, non-comparative study was conducted in Belgium. Patients aged between 14 and 68 years with SAR were treated by one of seven homeopathic physicians. Patients completed the RQLQ at baseline and again after three and four weeks of homeopathic treatment.
Results

Seventy-four patients were screened, of whom 46 met the study eligibility criteria (average age 36 years, 70% female). The mean RQLQ score at baseline was 3.40 (±.98). After three and four weeks of homeopathic treatment it had fallen to 1.97 (±1.32) (P = 0.0001), and 1.6 (±1.28) (P = 0.0001), respectively.

Conclusions

After homeopathic treatment, patients reported an alleviation of their symptoms of allergic rhinitis as reported in the RQLQ. A formal Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) is indicated.

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doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2007.04.004
Copyright © 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The role of a homoeopathic preparation compared with conventional therapy in the treatment of injuries: An observational cohort study





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Christian Schneidera, Berthold Schneiderb, Juergen Hanischc and Robbert van Haselend,

aKlinik für Ganzheitsmedizin, Herrsching, Germany
bInstitut für Biometrie, Hanover Medical School, Germany
cIFAG Basel AG, Switzerland
dInternational Institute for Integrated Medicine (INTMEDI), Suite 467, 22 Eden Street, Kingston KT1 1DN, United Kingdom



Available online 12 July 2007.

Summary

Objectives

To assess the use, effectiveness and safety of a homoeopathic preparation (Traumeel) compared with conventional therapies in the treatment of trauma and injuries.


Methods

Multi-centre, prospective, comparative observational cohort study of patients with various musculoskeletal injuries. German physicians who were using homoeopathy in addition to conventional medicine included patients. Patients treated with Traumeel were compared with patients managed conventionally. The primary outcome measure was the rate of resolution of the principal symptoms (i.e. pain and inflammatory symptoms) at the end of therapy.


Results

Sixty-nine Traumeel treated and 64 conventionally treated patients fitted the selection criteria. The most common diagnoses were acute injuries (sprains, strains, contusions, etc.) of the ankles, knees and hands. There were no significant differences between demographic and anamnestic baseline characteristics of both groups. Complete resolution of the principal symptom at the end of therapy occurred in 41 (59.4%) patients in the homoeopathy group versus 37 (57.8%) patients in the conventional group. No adverse events were reported in the Traumeel group compared to six adverse events (6.3%) in the conventional group. Physician-assessed tolerability was significantly better in the Traumeel group (P = 0.001).


Conclusion

Traumeel is as effective as conventional medicines in the management of mild to moderate injuries in this population. Traumeel was safe in use and judged by physicians to be better tolerated than conventional medicines. This study contributes to the case for a broad clinical effectiveness of Traumeel in the treatment of acute injuries and trauma.

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doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2006.10.001
Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.

Homoeopathic versus conventional treatment of children with eczema: A comparative cohort study





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T. Keila, C.M. Witta, S. Rolla, W. Vancea, K. Webera, K. Wegscheiderb and S.N. Willicha

aInstitute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center Berlin, D-10098 Berlin, Germany
bInstitute of Statistics and Econometrics, University of Hamburg, Germany



Available online 27 December 2006.

Summary

Objectives

To assess, over a period of 12 months, whether homoeopathic treatment could influence eczema signs/symptoms and quality of life (QoL) compared with conventional treatment.


Design

Prospective multi-centre cohort study.


Setting

Children with eczema aged 1–16 years were recruited from primary care practices.


Interventions

Conventional versus homoeopathic treatment.


Outcome measures

Patients (or parents) assessed eczema symptoms by numerical rating scales as well as disease-specific Atopie Lebensqualitaets-Fragebogen (ALF) and general quality of life (KINDL, KITA) at 0, 6 and 12 months.


Results

A total of 118 children were included: 54 from homoeopathic (mean age ± S.D. was 5.1 ± 3.3 years; 56% boys) and 64 from conventional practices (6.2 ± 3.8 years; 61% boys). Eczema symptoms (assessed by patients or their parents) improved from 0 to 12 months for both treatment options, but did not differ between the two groups: 3.5–2.5 versus 3.4–2.1; p = 0.447 (adjusted). Disease-related quality of life improved in both groups similarly. In the subgroup of children aged 8–16 years the general quality of life showed a better trend for conventional treatment compared with homoeopathic treatment (p = 0.030).


Conclusions

This observational study is the first long-term prospective investigation to compare homoeopathic and conventional treatment of eczema in children. Over a period of 12 months, both therapy groups improved similarly regarding perception of eczema symptoms (assessed by patients or parents) and disease-related quality of life.

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doi:10.1016/j.homp.2006.10.005
Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved. ORIGINAL PAPER

Homeopathic Arnica montana for post-tonsillectomy analgesia: a randomised placebo control trial





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A. Robertson1, R. Suryanarayanan2, and A Banerjee3

1ENT Department, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK
2ENT Department, Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral, UK
3ENT Department, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK



Received 19 June 2006;
revised 3 August 2006;
accepted 30 October 2006.
Available online 14 January 2007.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Homeopathic Arnica in reducing the morbidity following tonsillectomy
Methods: Randomised double blind, placebo controlled trial at a tertiary referral centre. 190 patients over the age of 18 undergoing tonsillectomy were randomised into intervention and control groups receiving either Arnica 30c or identical placebo, 2 tablets 6 times in the first post-operative day and then 2 tablets twice a day for the next 7 days. The primary outcome measure was the change in pain scores (visual analogue scale) recorded by the patient on a questionnaire over 14 days post-operatively; Secondary outcome measures were: analgesia consumption, visits to the GP or hospital, antibiotic usage, the day on which their swallowing returned to normal and the day on which they returned to work.
Results: 111 (58.4%) completed questionnaires were available for analysis. The Arnica group had a significantly larger drop in pain score from day 1 to day 14 (28.3) compared to the placebo group (23.8) with p<0.05. The two groups did not differ significantly on analgesic consumption or any of the other secondary outcome measures (number of post-operative visits to GP, use of antibiotics and secondary haemorrhage readmissions).
Conclusion: The results of this trial suggest that Arnica montana given after tonsillectomy provides a small, but statistically significant, decrease in pain scores compared to placebo.

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Homöopathie bei akuter Rhinosinusitis

Homeopathy in acute rhinosinusitis
Eine doppelblinde, placebokontrollierte Studie belegt die Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit eines homöopathischen Kombinationsarzneimittels
A double-blind, placebo controlled study shows the effeciency and tolerability of a homeopathic combination remedy
JournalHNO PublisherSpringer Berlin / Heidelberg ISSN0017-6192 (Print) 1433-0458 (Online) IssueVolume 55, Number 4 / April, 2007 DOI10.1007/s00106-006-1480-x Pages271-277 Subject CollectionMedicine SpringerLink DateTuesday, December 19, 2006

Homöopathie bei akuter RhinosinusitisEine doppelblinde, placebokontrollierte Studie belegt die Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit eines homöopathischen Kombinationsarzneimittels

K.-H. Friese1 und D. I. Zabalotnyi2
(1) Facharzt für HNO-Erkrankungen, Marktplatz 3, 71263 Weil der Stadt(2) Institut für Otolaryngologie der ukrainischen Academy of Science, Kiev, UkraineOnline publiziert: 19. Dezember 2006
ZusammenfassungHintergrund Es sollte die Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit eines homöopathischen Kombinationsarzneimittels (Cinnabaris Pentarkan H: Cinnabaris D3, Echinacea D1, Hydrastis D3, Kalium bichromicum D3) bei akuter Rhinosinusitis untersucht werden.

Patienten und Methoden 144 Patienten mit akuter Rhinosinusitis wurden im Rahmen einer randomisierten, doppelblinden Studie mit einem homöopathischen Präparat (n=72) oder Placebo (n=72) behandelt. Zu den Kontrolluntersuchungen, jeweils nach 7, 14 und 21 Tagen, wurden 5 sinusitistypische Einzelsymptome jeweils mit Punkten von 0 (nicht vorhanden) bis 4 (sehr stark ausgeprägt) bewertet. Die Veränderung des Summenscores der sinusitistypischen Symptome (max. 20 Punkte) während des Behandlungsverlaufs diente als primäres Zielkriterium.

Ergebnisse In der Homöopathiegruppe sank der durchschnittliche Summenscore von 12,1±1,6 auf 5,9±2,0 Punkte nach 7 Tagen, in der Placebogruppe von 11,7±1,6 auf 11,0±2,9 Punkte (p<0,0001). Die homöopathische Behandlung führte bei 90,3% der Patienten zu vollständiger Beschwerdefreiheit und bei weiteren 8,3% zu einer meist deutlichen Besserung. In der Placebogruppe hingegen waren die Beschwerden bei 88,9% der Patienten unverändert geblieben oder hatten sich verschlechtert. Nur bei einem Patienten in der Placebogruppe trat ein unerwünschtes Ereignis auf.

Schlussfolgerung Das homöopathische Präparat ermöglicht eine wirksame und gut verträgliche Behandlung der akuten Rhinosinusitis.


Schlüsselwörter Akute Rhinosinusitis - Randomisierte, placebokontrollierte Studie - Homöopathisches Kombinationspräparat - Sinusitistypische Symptome - Wirksamkeit

Homeopathy in acute rhinosinusitisA double-blind, placebo controlled study shows the effeciency and tolerability of a homeopathic combination remedy

AbstractBackground The efficacy and tolerability of a homeopathic combination remedy for the treatment of acute rhinosinusitis was investigated.

Patients and methods A total of 144 patients with acute rhinosinusitis were treated in a randomized, double-blind study either with a homeopathic remedy (n=72) or placebo (n=72). At the control examinations after 7, 14 and 21 days, five sinusitis-typical symptoms were measured with scores from 0 (absent) to 4 (very strong). The change of sum score of the sinusitis-typical symptoms (max. 20 points) during the treatment served as the primary efficacy criterion.

Results In the homeopathic treatment group, the average sum score dropped from initially 12.1±1.6 to 5.9±2.0 points after 7 days. In the placebo group it decreased from 11.7±1.6 to 11.0±2.9 points (p<0.0001). The homeopathic treatment resulted in freedom from complaints in 90.3% of the patients and improvement in a further 8.3%, whereas in the placebo group, the complaints remained unchanged or became worse in 88.9% of the patients. Only one adverse event occurred in one patient from the placebo group.

Conclusion The homeopathic product allows an effective and tolerable treatment of acute rhinosinusitis.

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Homeopathic Treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana
Plants Infected with Pseudomonas syringae

Devika Shah-Rossi1,2,*, Peter Heusser 2, and Stephan Baumgartner 1,2
1Society for Cancer Research, Hiscia Institute, Kirschweg 9, 4144 Arlesheim,
Switzerland; 2Institute of Complementary Medicine KIKOM, University of Bern, Insel-
Spital, Imhoof-Pavillon, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Received January 15, 2009; Revised March 27, 2009; Accepted April 20, 2009; Published May 20, 2009

Homeopathic basic research is still in the screening phase to identify promising model
systems that are adapted to the needs and peculiarities of homeopathic medicine and
pharmacy. We investigated the potential of a common plant-pathogen system,
Arabidopsis thaliana infected with the virulent bacteria Pseudomonas syringae,
regarding its response towards a homeopathic treatment. A. thaliana plants were treated
with homeopathic preparations before and after infection. Outcome measure was the
number of P. syringae bacteria in the leaves of A. thaliana, assessed in randomized and
blinded experiments. After a screening of 30 homeopathic preparations, we investigated
the effect of Carbo vegetabilis 30x, Magnesium phosphoricum 30x, Nosode 30x, Biplantol
(a homeopathic complex remedy), and Biplantol 30x on the infection rate in five or six
independent experiments in total. The screening yielded significant effects for four out of
30 tested preparations. In the repeated experimental series, only the homeopathic
complex remedy Biplantol induced a significant reduction of the infection rate (p = 0.01;
effect size, d = 0.38). None of the other four repeatedly tested preparations (Carbo
vegetabilis 30x, Magnesium phosphoricum 30x, Nosode 30x, Biplantol 30x) yielded
significant effects in the overall evaluation. This phytopathological model yielded a small
to medium effect size and thus might be of interest for homeopathic basic research after
further improvement. Compared to Bion (a common SAR inducer used as positive
control), the magnitude of the treatment effect of Biplantol was about 50%. Thus,
homeopathic formulations might have a potential for the treatment of plant diseases after
further optimization. However, the ecological impact should be investigated more closely
before widespread application.

full article can b downloaded 4m here

http://www.unhidenet.com/download-link-removed/oron/free/files/246970336/2009.01.38.pdf

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Research article Open Access
How healthy are chronically ill patients after eight years of
homeopathic treatment? – Results from a long term observational
study
Claudia M Witt*1, Rainer Lüdtke2, Nils Mengler1 and Stefan N Willich1

Abstract
Background: Homeopathy is a highly debated but often used medical treatment. With this cohort
study we aimed to evaluate health status changes under homeopathic treatment in routine care.
Here we extend former results, now presenting data of an 8-year follow-up.
Methods: In a prospective, multicentre cohort study with 103 homeopathic primary care practices
in Germany and Switzerland, data from all patients (age >1 year) consulting the physician for the
first time were observed. The main outcome measures were: The patients' perceived change in
complaint severity (numeric rating scales from 0 = no complaint to 10 = maximal severity) and
quality of life as measured by the SF-36 at baseline, and after 2 and 8 years.
Results: A total of 3,709 patients were studied, 73% (2,722 adults, 72.8% female, age at baseline
41.0 ± 12.3; 819 children, 48.4% female, age 6.5 ± 4.0) contributed data to the 8-year follow-up.
The most frequent diagnoses were allergic rhinitis and headache in adults, and atopic dermatitis and
multiple recurrent infections in children. Disease severity decreased significantly (p < 0.001)
between baseline, 2 and 8 years (adults from 6.2 ± 1.7 to 2.9 ± 2.2 and 2.7 ± 2.1; children from 6.1
± 1.8 to 2.1 ± 2.0 and 1.7 ± 1.9). Physical and mental quality of life sores also increased considerably.
Younger age, female gender and more severe disease at baseline were factors predictive of better
therapeutic success.
Conclusion: Patients who seek homeopathic treatment are likely to improve considerably. These
effects persist for as long as 8 years.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2630323/

http://www.unhidenet.com/download-link-removed/oron/free/files/246981661/picrender2.pdf