ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing demand for complementary and integrative medicine, only a few studies have evaluated the effect of these types of treatments on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate the QoL of women treated with homeopathy within the Public Health System of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. METHODS: This is a prospective randomized controlled pragmatic trial. The patients were divided into two independent groups, one group underwent homeopathic treatment in the first 6-month period and the other did not receive any homeopathic treatment. In both randomized groups, patients maintained their conventional medical treatment when necessary. The World Health Organization Quality of Life abbreviated questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) was used for QoL analysis prior to treatment and 6 months later. RESULTS: Randomization afforded similar baseline results in three domains of QoL analysis for both groups. After 6 months' treatment, there was a statistically significant difference between groups in the physical domain of WHOQOL-BREF: the average score improved to 63.6 ± (SD) 15.8 in the homeopathy group, compared with 53.1 ± (SD) 16.7 in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Homeopathic treatment showed a positive impact at 6 months on the QoL of women with chronic diseases. Further studies should be performed to determine the long-term effects of homeopathic treatment on QoL and its determinant factors.
Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/psychology , Materia Medica/standards , Quality of Life/psychology , Adult , Aged , Brazil , Chronic Disease/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , Pragmatic Clinical Trials as Topic , Prospective Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) field in Europe has been a focus of research developments and public health policy changes for years. However, these processes are still in their infancy phase in Bulgaria. In this paper, homeopathy is the investigated CAM-modality at a Bulgarian context. The aim is threefold: 1) to outline the sociodemographic profile of the chronically ill adult patients (≥18 years old) who choose homeopathic medical treatment (HMT); 2) To identify the patients' sources and needs of information about homeopathy, and the reasons to use HMT; and 3) to measure health-related outcomes in patients who have visited homeopathic clinics to look for HMT of their chronic conditions. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational multi-centered study (≥18 years old, n = 211) was conducted between June 2016 to Dec. 2017 in Bulgaria. Potentially eligible participants for the study were all chronically ill patients who had been receiving HMT for a year or more and had visited the homeopathic clinics for a follow up within the study period. The EQ-5D-3L instrument was applied with an additional questionnaire on sociodemographic and health related data. RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The study results outlined the country specific sociodemographic profile of the chronically ill homeopathic patients in Bulgaria: they are predominantly female, with higher education and at the age groups between 30 and 50. The EQ-5D-3L version, was applied to measure patients' health-related quality of life and to promote the use of a standardized generic instrument as a complementary and reliable scientific tool to assess the patient-reported outcomes of the homeopathic patients. Regarding the reasons of choice: the participants choose HMT because it is safe and mild, to avoid excessive antibiotic use, because the conventional treatment was not successful, etc. The study confirms the social demand for more scientific information about homeopathy. Participants stated that the medical universities' curriculum should keep pace with the modern CAM-developments. A key message is that the future of the successful chronic disease management is in the integration of the conventional and CAM-modalities and these processes should be facilitated through public health regulations, education and research. The presented study is a supportive action in this direction.
Subject(s)
Attitude to Health , Chronic Disease/therapy , Homeopathy/methods , Phytotherapy/methods , Quality of Life/psychology , Adult , Bulgaria , Choice Behavior , Chronic Disease/psychology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Homeopathy/psychology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/drug therapy , Chronic Disease/psychology , Homeopathy , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Primary Health Care/methods , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Eczema/drug therapy , Eczema/epidemiology , Eczema/pathology , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Germany/epidemiology , Headache/drug therapy , Headache/epidemiology , Headache/pathology , Humans , Infections/drug therapy , Infections/epidemiology , Infections/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Observation , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Rhinitis/drug therapy , Rhinitis/epidemiology , Rhinitis/pathology , Severity of Illness Index , Sickness Impact Profile , Switzerland/epidemiology , Time Factors , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Homeopathy use continues to grow in many European countries, and some studies have examined the characteristics of patients using homeopathy within the general population. The aim of this study was to identify predictors for homeopathy use among internal medicine patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among all patients being referred to the Department of Internal and Integrative Medicine at Essen, Germany, over a 3-year period. The analysis examined whether patients had used homeopathy for their primary medical complaint before, the perceived benefit, and the perceived harm of homeopathy use. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 2,045 respondents, 715 (35.0%) reported having used homeopathy for their primary medical complaint (diagnosis according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), with 359 (50.2%) reporting perceived benefits and 15 (2.1%) reporting harm. Homeopathy use was positively associated with female gender, high school level education, suffering from fibromyalgia or subthreshold depression, and being fast food abstinent, while patients with osteoarthritis, spinal or other pain, smokers, and patients with a high external-social health locus of control were less likely to use homeopathy. CONCLUSION: Personal characteristics and health status may impact on the use and the perceived helpfulness of homeopathy.
Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/psychology , Chronic Disease/therapy , Chronic Pain/psychology , Chronic Pain/therapy , Internal Medicine , Materia Medica/therapeutic use , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Attitude to Health , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Evidence-Based Medicine , Female , Health Behavior , Health Services Research , Humans , Internal-External Control , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Sex Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Over 250 patients from three complementary medicine practices-acupuncture, osteopathy and homoeopathy-completed a questionnaire rating 20 potential reasons for seeking complementary treatment. The reasons that were most strongly endorsed were "because I value the emphasis on treating the whole person'; "because I believe complementary therapy will be more effective for my problem than orthodox medicine'; "because I believe that complementary medicine will enable me to take a more active part in maintaining my health'; and "because orthodox treatment was not effective for my particular problem'. Five factors were identified, in order of importance: a positive valuation of complementary treatment, the ineffectiveness of orthodox treatment for their complaint, concern about the adverse effects of orthodox medicine, concerns about communication with doctors and, of less importance, the availability of complementary medicine. Groups were compared, using analysis of covariance to control for demographic differences between the three patient groups. Osteopathy patients' reasons indicated they were least concerned about the side effects of orthodox medicine and most influenced by the availability of osteopathy for their complaints. Homoeopathy patients were most strongly influenced by the ineffectiveness of orthodox medicine for their complaints, a fact which was largely accounted for by the chronicity of their complaints. Results are discussed in terms of the limited research in this area. Future studies should separate the reasons for beginning complementary treatment from the reasons for continuing it. It is possible, for instance, that the failure of orthodox medicine is the strongest motive for seeking complementary treatment but that, once treatment has been experienced, other more positive factors become more important.
Subject(s)
Acupuncture Therapy/psychology , Chronic Disease/psychology , Homeopathy , Motivation , Osteopathic Medicine , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Attitude to Health , Chronic Disease/therapy , England , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Care TeamABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The role of the consultation in mediating improved clinical outcomes has been demonstrated in both conventional and complementary medicine but to date no depth study has explored how complementary medical consultations achieve such benefits. This study explored rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients' perceptions of the homeopathic consultation including any perceived benefit. METHODS: Qualitative study nested within a placebo-controlled multi-centre trial assessing adjunctive homeopathic intervention for RA. In-depth face to face interviews (with 16 participants) were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: RA participants perceived homeopathic consultations helped them cope better through either enabling improved physical health, wellbeing and/or illness management. Four themes associated with improved coping were: receiving emotional support; exploring the illness; exploring self; and gaining advice. Exploring the wider narrative of their illness, enabled participants to address their individual needs and for some, this process of increased awareness changed their perception resulting in the perceived benefits. CONCLUSION: Homeopathic consultations enable RA patient to cope better. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Homeopathic consultations may provide an additional resource for RA patients. Identifying and employing the "active ingredients" that confer benefit may be appropriate for other clinicians to maximise patient benefits from consultations.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Psychological , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/psychology , Arthritis, Rheumatoid/therapy , Homeopathy/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Aged , Chronic Disease/psychology , Female , Homeopathy/methods , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Middle Aged , Narration , Patient Acceptance of Health Care , Perception , Qualitative Research , Quality of Life , Referral and Consultation/statistics & numerical data , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
En este trabajo se analiza la importancia del síntoma mental de la historia biopatográfica, como noxa desencadenante para despertar la Psora latente y hacerla manifiesta. Reconocer el valor de la jerarquización clásica, como manifestación orientadora de las connotaciones miasmáticas del paciente. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar de qué manera aplicar el tema de las miasmas para utilizarlo con provecho en la práctica diaria