Research - Diarrhea
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Homeopathy for childhood diarrhea: combined results and metaanalysis from three randomized, controlled clinical trials.
Jacobs J, Jonas WB, Jiménez-Pérez M, Crothers D.
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. [email protected]
AbstractBACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a positive treatment effect of individualized homeopathic treatment for acute childhood diarrhea, but sample sizes were small and results were just at or near the level of statistical significance. Because all three studies followed the same basic study design, the combined data from these three studies were analyzed to obtain greater statistical power.
METHODS: Three double blind clinical trials of diarrhea in 242 children ages 6 months to 5 years were analyzed as 1 group. Children were randomized to receive either an individualized homeopathic medicine or placebo to be taken as a single dose after each unformed stool for 5 days. Parents recorded daily stools on diary cards, and health workers made home visits daily to monitor children. The duration of diarrhea was defined as the time until there were less than 3 unformed stools per day for 2 consecutive days. A metaanalysis of the effect-size difference of the three studies was also conducted.
RESULTS: Combined analysis shows a duration of diarrhea of 3.3 days in the homeopathy group compared with 4.1 in the placebo group (P = 0.008). The metaanalysis shows a consistent effect-size difference of approximately 0.66 day (P = 0.008).
CONCLUSIONS: The results from these studies confirm that individualized homeopathic treatment decreases the duration of acute childhood diarrhea and suggest that larger sample sizes be used in future homeopathic research to ensure adequate statistical power. Homeopathy should be considered for use as an adjunct to oral rehydration for this illness.
Source : Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003 Mar;22(3):229-34
Link to Abstract
Homeopathic treatment of acute childhood diarrhea: results from a clinical trial in Nepal.
Jacobs J, Jiménez LM, Malthouse S, Chapman E, Crothers D, Masuk M, Jonas WB.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. [email protected]
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the finding in a previous study that homeopathic medicines decrease the duration of acute diarrhea in children could be replicated in a different study population.
DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
SETTING: Private, charitable health clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal.
SUBJECTS: A consecutive sample of 126 children, 6 months to 5 years of age, who presented during April through June, 1994, with more than three unformed stools in the previous 24 hours.
INTERVENTION: Children received either an individualized homeopathic medicine or placebo, to be taken one dose after each unformed stool for 5 days. Parents recorded daily stools on diary cards, and health workers made home visits daily to monitor children.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Predefined measures were based on the previous study: (1) duration of diarrhea, defined as the time until there were fewer than three unformed stools per day, for two consecutive days, and (2) Average number of stools per day for each group.
RESULTS: Of the 126 children initially enrolled, 116 completed treatment. The mean number of stools per day over the entire 5-day treatment period was 3.2 for the treatment group and 4.5 for the placebo group (P = 0.023). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the duration of diarrhea, which included data from all patient visits, showed an 18.4% greater probability that a child would be free of diarrhea by day 5 under homeopathic treatment (P = 0.036).
CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the finding from the previous study that individualized homeopathic treatment decreases the duration of diarrhea and number of stools in children with acute childhood diarrhea.
Source : J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Apr;6(2):131-9
Link to Abstract
Treatment of acute childhood diarrhea with homeopathic medicine: a randomized clinical trial in Nicaragua.
Jacobs J, Jiménez LM, Gloyd SS, Gale JL, Crothers D.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Acute diarrhea is the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. Oral rehydration treatment can prevent death from dehydration, but does not reduce the duration of individual episodes. Homeopathic treatment for acute diarrhea is used in many parts of the world. This study was performed to determine whether homeopathy is useful in the treatment of acute childhood diarrhea.
METHODOLOGY:
A randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing homeopathic medicine with placebo in the treatment of acute childhood diarrhea was conducted in León, Nicaragua, in July 1991. Eighty-one children aged 6 months to 5 years of age were included in the study. An individualized homeopathic medicine was prescribed for each child and daily follow-up was performed for 5 days. Standard treatment with oral rehydration treatment was also given.
RESULTS:
The treatment group had a statistically significant (P < .05) decrease in duration of diarrhea, defined as the number of days until there were less than three unformed stools daily for 2 consecutive days. There was also a significant difference (P < .05) in the number of stools per day between the two groups after 72 hours of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The statistically significant decrease in the duration of diarrhea in the treatment group suggests that homeopathic treatment might be useful in acute childhood diarrhea. Further study of this treatment deserves consideration.
Source : Pediatrics. 1994 May;93(5):719-25
Link to Abstract
Prospective Multicentric Observational Study to Determine the Usefulness of Predefined Homoeopathic Medicines in the Management of Acute Diarrheal Disease in Children
C.Nayak, M.D. (Hom.)1 , Vikram Singh, M.D. (Hom.)1, K.Singh, M.D. (Hom.) 1, Hari Singh, DHMS1, Anita Sharma, DHMS1, Praveen Oberai, BHMS1, Varanasi Roja, M.D.(Hom.)1, Debadatta Nayak, M.D. (Hom.) 1, Maya Padmanabhan, M.Sc1, Alok Mishra, BHMS1, G. C. Sehegal, DHMS2, Subhash Kaushik, M.D. (Hom.)2, C.P.Chowdhary, DHMS2, V.K. Singh, BHMS3, Sahid Ali, M.D.(Hom.)4, P.Hima Bindu, M.D.(Hom.)4, D.B.Sarkar, BHMS5
1Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Headquarters, New Delhi, India
2Central Research Institute, Noida (Uttar Pradesh), India
3Homeopathic Drug Research Institute, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), India
4Drug Standardization Unit , extension centre, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
5Drug Proving Research Unit, Kolkata (West Bengal)
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives
Acute diarrheal disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. No data regarding the pediatric population suffering from acute diarrhea seeking homoeopathic treatment in India are available. Therefore, an observational study on acute diarrheal diseases in children was undertaken with 14 predefined trial homoeopathic medicines to arrive at a group of useful homeopathic medicines for the treatment of acute childhood diarrhea.
Methods A prospective, multi-centre observational study was conducted by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy at its various Institutes and Units throughout India during Oct. 2005- Sept. 2008. A total of three hundred twenty seven children in the age-group 6 months to 12 years were included. Trial medicines selected on the principles of Homeopathy were prescribed and the diarrhea index score was assessed before and after treatment using SPSS (version 16).
Results The difference in the mean number of stools and diarrhea index score was found to be statistically significant (p=0.000, <0.05) after the prescription of trial homoeopathic medicines in 321 children. The diarrhea index score got either worsened or remained unchanged from the baseline score in 6 (1.83%) children. Of the 14 medicines half of them viz.,Podophyllum peltatum (n=158), Chamomilla (n=49), Aethusa cynapium (n=25), Mercurius solubilis (n=23), Calcarea carbonica (n=21), Sulphur (n=18), and Phosphorus (n=17) were found to be most useful among the 14 predefined trial medicines.
Conclusion This was an observational study with positive results leads to further validation by suitable Randomized Control Trial(s).
Source : Central Council for Research in Homeopathy
Link to Abstract
.
Homeopathy for childhood diarrhea: combined results and metaanalysis from three randomized, controlled clinical trials.
Jacobs J, Jonas WB, Jiménez-Pérez M, Crothers D.
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA. [email protected]
AbstractBACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown a positive treatment effect of individualized homeopathic treatment for acute childhood diarrhea, but sample sizes were small and results were just at or near the level of statistical significance. Because all three studies followed the same basic study design, the combined data from these three studies were analyzed to obtain greater statistical power.
METHODS: Three double blind clinical trials of diarrhea in 242 children ages 6 months to 5 years were analyzed as 1 group. Children were randomized to receive either an individualized homeopathic medicine or placebo to be taken as a single dose after each unformed stool for 5 days. Parents recorded daily stools on diary cards, and health workers made home visits daily to monitor children. The duration of diarrhea was defined as the time until there were less than 3 unformed stools per day for 2 consecutive days. A metaanalysis of the effect-size difference of the three studies was also conducted.
RESULTS: Combined analysis shows a duration of diarrhea of 3.3 days in the homeopathy group compared with 4.1 in the placebo group (P = 0.008). The metaanalysis shows a consistent effect-size difference of approximately 0.66 day (P = 0.008).
CONCLUSIONS: The results from these studies confirm that individualized homeopathic treatment decreases the duration of acute childhood diarrhea and suggest that larger sample sizes be used in future homeopathic research to ensure adequate statistical power. Homeopathy should be considered for use as an adjunct to oral rehydration for this illness.
Source : Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003 Mar;22(3):229-34
Link to Abstract
Homeopathic treatment of acute childhood diarrhea: results from a clinical trial in Nepal.
Jacobs J, Jiménez LM, Malthouse S, Chapman E, Crothers D, Masuk M, Jonas WB.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA. [email protected]
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the finding in a previous study that homeopathic medicines decrease the duration of acute diarrhea in children could be replicated in a different study population.
DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
SETTING: Private, charitable health clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal.
SUBJECTS: A consecutive sample of 126 children, 6 months to 5 years of age, who presented during April through June, 1994, with more than three unformed stools in the previous 24 hours.
INTERVENTION: Children received either an individualized homeopathic medicine or placebo, to be taken one dose after each unformed stool for 5 days. Parents recorded daily stools on diary cards, and health workers made home visits daily to monitor children.
OUTCOME MEASURES: Predefined measures were based on the previous study: (1) duration of diarrhea, defined as the time until there were fewer than three unformed stools per day, for two consecutive days, and (2) Average number of stools per day for each group.
RESULTS: Of the 126 children initially enrolled, 116 completed treatment. The mean number of stools per day over the entire 5-day treatment period was 3.2 for the treatment group and 4.5 for the placebo group (P = 0.023). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis of the duration of diarrhea, which included data from all patient visits, showed an 18.4% greater probability that a child would be free of diarrhea by day 5 under homeopathic treatment (P = 0.036).
CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with the finding from the previous study that individualized homeopathic treatment decreases the duration of diarrhea and number of stools in children with acute childhood diarrhea.
Source : J Altern Complement Med. 2000 Apr;6(2):131-9
Link to Abstract
Treatment of acute childhood diarrhea with homeopathic medicine: a randomized clinical trial in Nicaragua.
Jacobs J, Jiménez LM, Gloyd SS, Gale JL, Crothers D.
Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Acute diarrhea is the leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality worldwide. Oral rehydration treatment can prevent death from dehydration, but does not reduce the duration of individual episodes. Homeopathic treatment for acute diarrhea is used in many parts of the world. This study was performed to determine whether homeopathy is useful in the treatment of acute childhood diarrhea.
METHODOLOGY:
A randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing homeopathic medicine with placebo in the treatment of acute childhood diarrhea was conducted in León, Nicaragua, in July 1991. Eighty-one children aged 6 months to 5 years of age were included in the study. An individualized homeopathic medicine was prescribed for each child and daily follow-up was performed for 5 days. Standard treatment with oral rehydration treatment was also given.
RESULTS:
The treatment group had a statistically significant (P < .05) decrease in duration of diarrhea, defined as the number of days until there were less than three unformed stools daily for 2 consecutive days. There was also a significant difference (P < .05) in the number of stools per day between the two groups after 72 hours of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The statistically significant decrease in the duration of diarrhea in the treatment group suggests that homeopathic treatment might be useful in acute childhood diarrhea. Further study of this treatment deserves consideration.
Source : Pediatrics. 1994 May;93(5):719-25
Link to Abstract
Prospective Multicentric Observational Study to Determine the Usefulness of Predefined Homoeopathic Medicines in the Management of Acute Diarrheal Disease in Children
C.Nayak, M.D. (Hom.)1 , Vikram Singh, M.D. (Hom.)1, K.Singh, M.D. (Hom.) 1, Hari Singh, DHMS1, Anita Sharma, DHMS1, Praveen Oberai, BHMS1, Varanasi Roja, M.D.(Hom.)1, Debadatta Nayak, M.D. (Hom.) 1, Maya Padmanabhan, M.Sc1, Alok Mishra, BHMS1, G. C. Sehegal, DHMS2, Subhash Kaushik, M.D. (Hom.)2, C.P.Chowdhary, DHMS2, V.K. Singh, BHMS3, Sahid Ali, M.D.(Hom.)4, P.Hima Bindu, M.D.(Hom.)4, D.B.Sarkar, BHMS5
1Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, Headquarters, New Delhi, India
2Central Research Institute, Noida (Uttar Pradesh), India
3Homeopathic Drug Research Institute, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), India
4Drug Standardization Unit , extension centre, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh)
5Drug Proving Research Unit, Kolkata (West Bengal)
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives
Acute diarrheal disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. No data regarding the pediatric population suffering from acute diarrhea seeking homoeopathic treatment in India are available. Therefore, an observational study on acute diarrheal diseases in children was undertaken with 14 predefined trial homoeopathic medicines to arrive at a group of useful homeopathic medicines for the treatment of acute childhood diarrhea.
Methods A prospective, multi-centre observational study was conducted by Central Council for Research in Homeopathy at its various Institutes and Units throughout India during Oct. 2005- Sept. 2008. A total of three hundred twenty seven children in the age-group 6 months to 12 years were included. Trial medicines selected on the principles of Homeopathy were prescribed and the diarrhea index score was assessed before and after treatment using SPSS (version 16).
Results The difference in the mean number of stools and diarrhea index score was found to be statistically significant (p=0.000, <0.05) after the prescription of trial homoeopathic medicines in 321 children. The diarrhea index score got either worsened or remained unchanged from the baseline score in 6 (1.83%) children. Of the 14 medicines half of them viz.,Podophyllum peltatum (n=158), Chamomilla (n=49), Aethusa cynapium (n=25), Mercurius solubilis (n=23), Calcarea carbonica (n=21), Sulphur (n=18), and Phosphorus (n=17) were found to be most useful among the 14 predefined trial medicines.
Conclusion This was an observational study with positive results leads to further validation by suitable Randomized Control Trial(s).
Source : Central Council for Research in Homeopathy
Link to Abstract