Refining Research in Homeopathy

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Selecting the most suitable primary outcome measure for a clinical research study in homeopathy is a key to its potential success. Previous work on the model validity of the homepathy used in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), for example, included an assessment of whether the main clinical effect expected from homeopathic treatment is adequately measured by the trial's main outcome measure.[1] [2] A review article published in this issue of the journal refines that idea by re-considering the main clinical effect that should be the optimal focus of homeopathic practitioners' attention.[3] Thus, in the example of menopausal syndrome, one should think beyond hot flushes and night sweats to consider cardiovascular or bone disease, and metabolic or mood disorders, and then apply a relevant outcome measure such as blood pressure, bone mineral density, an index of metabolism or an assessment of cognitive health. While potentially enhancing a trial's model validity, there might also be a raised likelihood of finding a clinically significant effect of homeopathic treatment.

Two of the other papers in this issue report the results of RCTs: a 20,000-participant sample of the population of Kolkata, investigating the effect of homeopathic prophylactic medicines during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic;[4] and a veterinary trial in dogs to evaluate homeopathic Arnica as post-operative analgesia following ovariohysterectomy.[5] The former work was inconclusive, whilst the latter found a longer period of analgesia in the Arnica group compared with controls. The ongoing pandemic also features in another of our papers: a study at a service sector company in Brazil, which observed a lower incidence of COVID-19 in employees who received a homeopathic medicine for disease prevention compared with those who did not receive the medication.[6] This issue of the journal is completed by two articles with an emphasis on in vitro research,[7] [8] together with a clinical case report of individualized homeopathic treatment for co-morbid warts and vitiligo,[9] and a commentary article on the well-known ‘EPI3’ study in France, identifying that program of work as methodologically refined and fit for purpose.[10]

Publication History

Article published online:
19 May 2022

© 2022. Faculty of Homeopathy. This article is published by Thieme.

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