Recommendations for Designing, Conducting and Reporting Observational Studies in Homeopathy

Teut, Michael; Walach, Harald; Varanasi, Roja; Manchanda, Raj K; Oberai, Praveen; Thompson, Elizabeth A.; Ulbrich-Zürni, Susanne

doi:10.1055/s-0040-1708045

Cited by 12 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(51 reference statements)

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“…Observational studies provide such prior experience, as they describe "real-world" care settings and allow for a more generalized and robust estimation of effects in clinical practice; they are thus an important approach to assist in designing RCTs. 8 The need is for a series of systematic studies that includes collection and analysis of good-quality cases treated with homeopathy. Prognostic factor research is an important technique for the analysis of cohorts of such cases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homeopathic Remedies in COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research

et al. 2021

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Background/Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new disease; its clinical profile and natural history are evolving. Each well-recorded case in homeopathic practice is important for deciding the future course of action. This study aims at identifying clinically useful homeopathic remedies and their prescribing symptoms using the prognostic factor research model. Methods This was an open-label, multi-centric, observational study performed from April 2020 to July 2020 at various public health care clinics. The data were collected prospectively from clinical practice at integrated COVID-19 care facilities in India. Good-quality cases were selected using a specific set of criteria. These cases were analyzed for elucidating prognostic factors by calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) of each frequently occurring symptom. The symptoms with high LR values (>1) were considered as prescribing indications of the specific remedy. Results Out of 327 COVID-19 cases reported, 211 met the selection criteria for analysis. The most common complaints were fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, myalgia, fever, dry mouth and throat, increased thirst, headache, decreased appetite, anxiety, and altered taste. Twenty-seven remedies were prescribed and four of them—Arsenicum album, Bryonia alba, Gelsemium sempervirens, and Pulsatilla nigricans—were the most frequently used. A high LR was obtained for certain symptoms, which enabled differentiation between the remedies for a given patient. Conclusion Homeopathic medicines were associated with improvement in symptoms of COVID-19 cases. Characteristic symptoms of four frequently indicated remedies have been identified using prognostic factor research, findings that can contribute to accurate homeopathic prescribing during future controlled research in COVID-19.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Homeopathic Remedies in COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research

et al. 2021

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“…For the latter two, aspects of COHERE or AHSURED may be considered. 2,21,26 In ►Table 2, the items in the STROBE-Vet extension correspond to the items in the original STROBE statement, and both follow the typical order of sections within a scientific manuscript. All relevant checklist items need to be addressed within the paper.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5 In-depth information about cohort, cross-sectional and case–control studies can be found in diverse sources. 2 3 4 5 6 7…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for Designing, Conducting and Reporting Clinical Observational Studies in Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine

Weiermayer¹,

Frass

Fibert

et al. 2023

Homeopathy

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Background Clinical observational studies are an important methodological approach in human and veterinary research, examining and describing treatment experience with good external validity. There are currently few observational studies in the field of homeopathic veterinary medicine. Aim The aim of the study was to develop recommendations for designing, conducting and reporting observational studies in homeopathic veterinary medicine. Materials and Methods A literature review was performed using various search strategies for identifying guidelines and checklist tools relevant for observational studies, veterinary research and homeopathy. Useful guidelines were selected. Prior recommendations for designing and conducting observational studies in human homeopathic medicine were supplemented with recommendations for homeopathic veterinary medicine that were evaluated by an expert panel. Results The veterinary extension of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology – Veterinary (STROBE-Vet) statement was identified as a useful tool to improve the reporting quality of observational studies, and it has been supplemented here with additional recommendations that are applicable to homeopathy. STROBE-Vet is complemented in the literature by several reports, checklists and guidelines on veterinary medicine in general, such as the Checklist for One Health Epidemiological Reporting of Evidence (COHERE) and the Animal Health Surveillance Reporting Guidelines (AHSURED). Identified items that related to laboratory animal research were excluded as non-relevant to our study. Conclusion Clinical observational studies are an important methodological approach, having currently unrealized potential in the field of homeopathic veterinary medicine. With relatively minor adjustments, the practical guidelines and checklists available to researchers in designing, conducting and reporting observational studies in human homeopathic medicine have been adapted for homeopathic veterinary medicine, for which high quality can be assured by implementing recommendations such as those in STROBE-Vet. With the emergence of the One Health concept, the COHERE checklist can be viewed with growing significance.

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“…Observational studies include cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort study designs. 49 50 The methodological strengths of the present study were the enrolment of 202 children, which can be considered a large sample, and the use of standardized assessment tools such as adenoid score, Mallampati score, tonsillar size (a photographic record), SRBD of PSQ, and A/N ratio, regularly evaluated until 12 months. Furthermore, our study represents the first formal assessment of IHMs in ATH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Management of Symptomatic Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy in Children: A Prospective Observational Study

et al. 2023

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Background Globally, adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is one of the most prevalent upper respiratory tract disorders of children, with associated troublesome symptoms such as sleep apnea and cognitive disturbances. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of individualized homeopathic medicines in the management of symptomatic ATH in children. Methods A multicenter prospective observational study was conducted at five institutes under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. Primary and secondary outcomes (symptom score for adenoids, other symptoms of ATH, Mallampati score, tonsillar size, Sleep-Related Breathing Disorder of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire [SRBD-PSQ]) were assessed through standardized questionnaires at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Radiological investigations for assessing the adenoid/nasopharyngeal (A/N) ratio were carried out at baseline, 6 and 12 months. All analyses were carried out using an intention-to-treat approach. Results A total of 340 children were screened and 202 children suffering from ATH were enrolled and followed up monthly for 12 months. Each patient received individualized homeopathic treatment based on the totality of symptoms. Statistically significant reductions in adenoid symptom score, Mallampati score (including tonsillar size), SRBD-PSQ sleep quality assessment and A/N ratio were found over time up to 12 months (p < 0.001). Homeopathic medicines frequently indicated were Calcarea carbonicum, Phosphorus, Silicea, Sulphur, Calcarea phosphoricum, Pulsatilla, Lycopodium and Tuberculinum. No serious adverse events were recorded during the study period. Conclusion This study suggests that homeopathic medicines may play a beneficial role in the management of symptomatic ATH in children. Well-designed comparative trials are warranted.

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Recommendations for Designing, Conducting and Reporting Observational Studies in Homeopathy

Cited by 12 publications

References 61 publications

Homeopathic Remedies in COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research

Homeopathic Remedies in COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research

Recommendations for Designing, Conducting and Reporting Clinical Observational Studies in Homeopathic Veterinary Medicine

Individualized Homeopathic Medicines in the Management of Symptomatic Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy in Children: A Prospective Observational Study

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