ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The homeopathic drug combination Lymphdiaral Basistropfen is established in the treatment of edema and swellings. This is the first time the effectiveness and safety was investigated in the treatment of chronic low back pain. METHODS: The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. From December 2003 to May 2007 248 patients aged 18 to 75 years were screened, 228 were randomized, 221 started therapy, in 192 the progress was measured (103 verum vs. 89 placebo), 137 completed the study (72 verum vs. 65 placebo). They received 10 drops of verum or placebo solution three times daily for 105 days additionally to an inpatient complex naturopathic treatment. RESULTS: The hannover functional ability questionnaire score (primary outcome measure) tends to increase in the intention-to-treat-analysis (verum: 6.6 vs. placebo: 3.4; p = 0.11) and increases significantly in the per-protocol-analysis (verum: 9.4 vs. placebo: 4.1; p = 0.029). The treatment was well tolerated (92.9% vs. 95.4%). The incidence of adverse reactions and serious adverse reactions was similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: This first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows, that the homeopathic drug combination can improve the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Subject(s)
Homeopathy , Low Back Pain/drug therapy , Activities of Daily Living/classification , Adult , Aged , Analgesics/therapeutic use , Combined Modality Therapy , Disability Evaluation , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Homeopathy/adverse effects , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Low Back Pain/classification , Low Back Pain/diagnosis , Male , Medication Adherence , Middle Aged , Naturopathy , Pain Measurement , Patient Admission , Patient Dropouts , Patient SatisfactionABSTRACT
Dossey (2001) says, "The nurse serves as a facilitator and helps assist the patient and his or her significant others to be in the best state for healing to take place. Nurses are in a unique position to be instruments of healing at all times." According to Fitch (1999), "A fundamental goal of nursing is to comfort." Complementary and alternative therapies offer many self care and comforting remedies help employees prevent disease and promote healing. Occupational health nurses have the ability to educate employees and offer guidance about CAM therapies; encourage self care management of minor complaints; and encourage employees, when appropriate, to seek health care. As employees' use of CAM continues to increase, occupational health nurses need to monitor use of CAM therapies among employees. Nurses should inform the employer, case managers, and insurance companies involved about the potential increase in CAM use to promote changes in the health care system and integrate conventional and CAM therapies as needed. Further research related to CAM therapies continues as the health care system warrants safe, effective, and cost effective ways to promote health and prevent or manage illness.
Subject(s)
Complementary Therapies/methods , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Occupational Health Nursing/methods , Occupational Health , Adult , Dermatitis, Occupational/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Occupational/therapy , Female , Homeopathy/methods , Humans , Low Back Pain/diagnosis , Low Back Pain/therapy , Male , Massage , Middle Aged , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/nursing , Osteoarthritis/diagnosis , Osteoarthritis/therapy , Prognosis , Sensitivity and Specificity , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Tension-Type Headache/diagnosis , Tension-Type Headache/therapySubject(s)
Complementary Therapies , Low Back Pain , Neck Pain , Occupational Diseases , Shoulder Pain , Chiropractic , Female , Homeopathy , Humans , Low Back Pain/diagnosis , Low Back Pain/etiology , Low Back Pain/therapy , Male , Manipulation, Spinal , Massage , Neck Pain/diagnosis , Neck Pain/etiology , Neck Pain/therapy , Occupational Diseases/diagnosis , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Occupational Diseases/therapy , Pain Measurement , Shoulder Pain/diagnosis , Shoulder Pain/etiology , Shoulder Pain/therapy , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the details and effects of an individualized homeopathic treatment in patients with chronic low back pain in usual care. METHODS: Prospective multicenter observational study. Consecutive patients beginning homeopathic treatment in primary care practices were evaluated over 2 years by using standardized questionnaires. Diagnoses (ICD-9) and symptoms with severity, health-related quality of life (QoL), medical history, consultations, homeopathic and conventional treatments, and other health service use were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine adults (64.3% women, mean age 43.6 +/- 12.7 y) were treated by 48 physicians. The patients mainly had chronic low back pain (average duration 9.6 +/- 9.0 y) and other chronic diseases. Nearly all the patients (91.3%) had been pretreated. The initial case-taking took 113 +/- 36, and the case analysis took 31 +/- 38 minutes. The 7.4 +/- 8.1 subsequent consultations (duration: 23.7 +/- 15.2 min) cumulated to 204.5 +/- 184.6 minutes. The patients received an average of 6.8 +/- 6.3 homeopathic prescriptions. The severity of the diagnoses and complaints showed marked and sustained improvements with large effect sizes (Cohen's d from 1.67 to 2.55) and QoL improved accordingly (SF-36 physical component scale d = 0.33; mental component scale d = 0.54). The use of conventional treatment and health services decreased markedly: the number of patients using low back pain-related drugs was half of the baseline. DISCUSSION: Classic homeopathic treatment represents an effective treatment for low back pain and other diagnoses. It improves health-related QoL and reduces the use of other healthcare services.