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Gray AC, Luketic CD, Pracjek P, Straiges D. Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Conditions: Findings from a Homeopathy Teaching Clinic using the MYCaW Instrument. HOMEOPATHY 2024. [PMID: 38593861 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Academy of Homeopathy Education is a US-based accredited teaching institution offering homeopathy education services to professional and medically licensed homeopathy students. This study reports on clinical outcomes from the teaching clinic from 2020 to 2021. METHODS Data collected using the patient-generated outcome measure, the Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing (MYCaW), were anonymized. Mean MYCaW values for initial and subsequent consultations were analyzed for the degree of change across the intervention period in 38 clients. Each client listed up to two complaints. MYCaW scores between initial and subsequent consultations were analyzed for the degree of change (delta) across the intervention period. RESULTS A total of 95 body system-related symptoms were analyzed for change in intensity following the homeopathic intervention. Statistically significant improvements in the intensity of main symptoms were observed between initial and subsequent follow-ups. The main symptom scores showed a mean change in intensity (delta MYCaW) of -0.79 points (95% confidence interval (CI), -1.29 to -0.29; p = 0.003) at first follow-up, a mean change of -1.67 points (95% CI, -2.34 to -0.99; p = 0.001) at second follow-up compared with the initial visit, and a mean change of -1.93 points (95% CI, -3.0 to -0.86; p = 0.008) at third follow-up compared with the initial visit. For clients with four or more follow-ups, the mean delta MYCaW was -1.57 points (95% CI, -2.86 to -0.28; p = 0.039). CONCLUSION Statistically significant improvements as well as some clinically meaningful changes in symptom intensity were found across a diverse group of individuals with a variety of long-term chronic conditions. The improvement was evident across different body systems and different levels of chronicity. There are limitations to the generalizability of the study due to the research design. Further research and investigation are warranted given the promising results of this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair C Gray
- Independent Researcher, HOHM Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Department of Research, HOHM Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Christine D Luketic
- Independent Researcher, HOHM Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Independent Researcher, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States
| | - Parker Pracjek
- Independent Researcher, HOHM Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Denise Straiges
- Independent Researcher, HOHM Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
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Rai S, Gupta GN, Singh S, Michael J, Misra P, Gupta B, Singh S, Prakash A, Tomar M, Sadhukhan S, Koley M, Saha S. Efficacy of Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. HOMEOPATHY 2022; 111:240-251. [PMID: 35299272 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acne is estimated to affect 9.4% of the global population, making it the 8th most prevalent disease worldwide. Acne vulgaris (AV) is among the diseases that directly affect quality of life. This trial evaluated the efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines (IHM) against placebo in AV. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial conducted at the National Institute of Homoeopathy, India, 126 patients suffering from AV were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either IHM (verum) in centesimal potencies or identical-looking placebo (control). The primary outcome measure was the Global Acne Grading System score; secondary outcomes were the Cardiff Acne Disability Index and Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaires - all measured at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. Group differences and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated on the intention-to-treat sample. RESULTS Overall, improvements were greater in the IHM group than placebo, with small to medium effect sizes after 3 months of intervention; however, the inter-group differences were statistically non-significant. Sulphur (17.5%), Natrum muriaticum (15.1%), Calcarea phosphorica (14.3%), Pulsatilla nigricans (10.3%), and Antimonium crudum (7.1%) were the most frequently prescribed medicines; Pulsatilla nigricans, Tuberculinum bovinum and Natrum muriaticum were the most effective of those used. No harms, unintended effects, homeopathic aggravations or any serious adverse events were reported from either group. CONCLUSION There was non-significant direction of effect favoring homeopathy against placebo in the treatment of AV. TRIAL REGISTRATION CTRI/2018/11/016248; UTN: U1111-1221-8164.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Rai
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Gobind Narayan Gupta
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Subhas Singh
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - James Michael
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Pankhuri Misra
- Department of Materia Medica, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Bharti Gupta
- Department of Paediatrics, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Suman Singh
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Akshaya Prakash
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Maneela Tomar
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Satarupa Sadhukhan
- Department of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Munmun Koley
- East Bishnupur State Homoeopathic Dispensary, Chandi Daulatabad Block Primary Health Centre, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, under Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Subhranil Saha
- Department of Repertory, D.N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Govt. of West Bengal, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Dutta S, Ganguly S, Mukherjee SK, Ghosh P, Hazra P, Roy AS, Shaikh AR, Ali SS, Sadhukhan S, Koley M, Saha S. Efficacy of individualized homeopathic medicines in intervening the progression of pre-hypertension to hypertension: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Explore (NY) 2021; 18:279-286. [PMID: 34147344 DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2021.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Pre-hypertension remains a significant public health challenge and appropriate intervention is required to stop its progression to hypertension and/or cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of individualized homeopathic medicines (IH) against placebo in intervening with the progression of pre-hypertension to hypertension. DESIGN Double-blind, randomized, two parallel arms, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Outpatient departments of D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, India. PATIENTS Ninety-two patients suffering from pre-hypertension; randomized to receive either IH (n = 46) or identical-looking placebo (n = 46). INTERVENTIONS IH or placebo in the mutual context of lifestyle modification (LSM) advices including dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and brisk exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Primary - systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP); secondary - Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile version 2.0 (MYMOP-2) scores; all measured at baseline, and every month, up to 3 months. RESULTS After 3 months of intervention, the number of patients having progression from pre-hypertension to hypertension between groups were similar without any significant differences in between (all P>0.05). Reduction in BP and MYMOP-2 scores were non-significantly higher (all P>0.05) in the IH group than placebo with small effect sizes. Lycopodium clavatum, Thuja occidentalis and Natrum muriaticum were the most frequently prescribed medicines. No harms or serious adverse events were reported from either group. Thus, there was a small, but non-significant direction of effect favoring homeopathy, which ultimately rendered the trial as inconclusive. [Trial registration: CTRI/2018/10/016,026; UTN: U1111-1221-8251].
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Affiliation(s)
- Souvik Dutta
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India.
| | - Subhasish Ganguly
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Shyamal Kumar Mukherjee
- Principal and Administrator D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Priyanka Ghosh
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Pallavi Hazra
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Aniket Singha Roy
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Abdur Rahaman Shaikh
- Dept. of Practice of Medicine, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Sk Swaif Ali
- Dept. of Practice of Medicine, Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Howrah, Govt. of West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Satarupa Sadhukhan
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, National Institute of Homoeopathy, Block GE, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700106, West Bengal, India; affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
| | - Munmun Koley
- Dept. of Organon of Medicine and Homoeopathic Philosophy, State National Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, affiliated to Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar University, Agra, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh), India
| | - Subhranil Saha
- Dept. of Repertory, D. N. De Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, West Bengal, affiliated to The West Bengal University of Health Sciences, Govt. of West Bengal, India
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