Research - Insomnia
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PLANT-DERIVED NANOPARTICLE TREATMENT WITH COCC 30C AMELIORATES ATTENTION AND MOTOR ABILITIES
IN SLEEP-DEPRIVED RATS
S. ZUBEDAT, a Y. FREED, c Y. ESHED, c A. CYMERBLIT-SABBA, a A. RITTER, a M. NACHMANI, a R. HARUSH, d S. AGA-MIZRACHI
a AND A. AVITAL a , b*
a The Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Behavioural Neuroscience Lab, Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
b Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
c The International Institute for Homeopathy Research, Hod Hasharon, Israel
d Yezrel Valley College, Afula, Israel
Abstract--
Sleep is an essential physiological process that underlies crucial cognitive functions as well as emotional reactivity. Thus, sleep deprivation (SD) may exert various deleterious effects. In this study, we aimed to examine the adverse behavioral and hormonal effects of SD and a potential treatment with Plant-derived nanoparticle treatment – cocc 30c. The study was a 4-arm trial with randomization and double-blinding of verum and placebo treatments. SD was induced by using the Multiple Platform Method for 48 h. The effects of SD were evaluated behaviorally (pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), startle response and rotor-rod) at baseline as well as at 6, 12, 24 h, and 14 days post deprivation. cocc 30c treatment was administrated Per Os every three hours starting immediately after baseline tests and for a period of 24 h. On day 14, blood samples were taken and serum levels of corticosterone, testosterone, serotonin and leptin were tested. We found that cocc 30c improved PPI 12 and 24 h post deprivation, likewise, cocc 30c improved motor learning. On day 14 SD led to increased startle response that was ameliorated by cocc 30c. Likewise, SD led to increased levels of corticosterone and serotonin while decreasing testosterone and leptin. Interestingly, cocc 30c treatment has moderated these hormonal alterations.
We conclude that the treatment with cocc 30c recovers both short-term behavioral and the long-term hormonal modulations following SD.
Source : Research Gate
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Utilization of psychotropic drugs by patients consulting for sleeping disorders in homeopathic and conventional primary care settings: the EPI3 cohort study
Lamiae Grimaldi-Bensouda, Lucien Abenhaim, Jacques Massol, Didier Guillemot, Bernard Avouac,Gerard Duru, France Lert, Anne-Marie Magnier, Michel Rossignol, Frederic Rouillon, Bernard Begaud for the EPI3-LA-SER Group
Abstract
Highlights
- •Patients with more severe SD chose to consult a homeopathic physician on second intention.
- •Patients who chose to consult homeopathic physicians used less than half psychotropic drugs for SD.
- •Using either homeopathic or conventional treatments showed no difference upon improvement of SD.
Background
Utilization of sedative hypnotic drugs for sleeping disorders (SD) raises concerns, particularly among older people. This study compared utilization of conventional psychotropic drugs for SD among patients seeking care from general practitioners (GPs) who strictly prescribe conventional medications (GP-CM), regularly prescribe homeopathy in a mixed practice (GP-Mx), or are certified homeopathic GPs (GP-Ho).
Methods
This was a French population-based cohort study of GPs and their patients consulting for SD, informed through the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire. Information on psychotropic drugs utilization was obtained from a standardized telephone interview at inclusion, one, three and 12 months.
Results
346 patients consulting for SD were included. Patients in the GP-Ho group experienced more often severe SD (41.3%) than patients in the GP-CM group (24.3%). Adjusted multivariate analyses showed that patients who chose to be managed by GP-Ho were less likely to use psychotropic drugs over 12 months as opposed to the GP-CM group, with Odds ratio (OR) = 0.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.14 to 0.42. Patients in the GP-Mx group also used less psychotropic drugs but the result was not statistically significant (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.39–1.16). Rates of clinical improvement of the SD did not differ between groups.
Conclusions
Patients with SD who chose to consult GPs certified in homeopathy consumed less psychotropic drugs and had a similar evolution of their condition to patients treated with conventional medical management. This result may translate in a net advantage with reduction of adverse events related to psychotropic drugs.
Source : Journal Homeopathy
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Nonlinear Dynamical Systems Effects of Homeopathic Remedies on Multiscale Entropy and Correlation Dimension of Slow Wave Sleep EEG in Young Adults with Histories of Coffee-Induced Insomnia
Iris R. Bell, Amy Howerter, [...], and Audrey J. Brooks
Abstract
BackgroundInvestigators of homeopathy have proposed that nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) and complex systems science offer conceptual and analytic tools for evaluating homeopathic remedy effects. Previous animal studies demonstrate that homeopathic medicines alter delta electroencephalographic (EEG) slow wave sleep. The present study extended findings of remedy-related sleep stage alterations in human subjects by testing the feasibility of using two different NDS analytic approaches to assess remedy effects on human slow wave sleep EEG.
Methods
Subjects (N=54) were young adult male and female college students with a history of coffee-related insomnia who participated in a larger 4-week study of the polysomnographic effects of homeopathic medicines on home-based all-night sleep recordings. Subjects took one bedtime dose of a homeopathic remedy (Coffea cruda or Nux vomica 30c). We computed multiscale entropy (MSE) and the correlation dimension (Mekler-D2) for stage 3 and 4 slow wave sleep EEG sampled in artifact-free 2-minute segments during the first two rapid-eye-movement (REM) cycles for remedy and post-remedy nights, controlling for placebo and post-placebo night effects.
Results
MSE results indicate significant, remedy-specific directional effects, especially later in the night (REM cycle 2) (CC: remedy night increases and post-remedy night decreases in MSE at multiple sites for both stages 3 and 4 in both REM cycles; NV: remedy night decreases and post-remedy night increases, mainly in stage 3 REM cycle 2 MSE). D2 analyses yielded more sporadic and inconsistent findings.
Conclusions
Homeopathic medicines Coffea cruda and Nux vomica in 30c potencies alter short-term nonlinear dynamic parameters of slow wave sleep EEG in healthy young adults. MSE may provide a more sensitive NDS analytic method than D2 for evaluating homeopathic remedy effects on human sleep EEG patterns.
Source : Homeopathy
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Effects of homeopathic medicines on mood of adults with histories of coffee-related insomnia
Brooks AJ, Bell IR, Howerter A, Jackson N, Aickin M
SourceDepartment of Psychology, the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this within-subjects feasibility study was to determine whether two different homeopathic remedies, Nux Vomica (NV) and Coffea Cruda (CC), exert effects on subjective mood ratings in healthy adults with a history of coffee-induced insomnia. The impact of individual personality traits, anxiety sensitivity or Type A cynical hostility, and homeopathic constitutional type (HTYPE-NV, HTYPE-CC), on remedy effects was examined to evaluate differential responsivity, in accord with clinical claims.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Young adults of both sexes (ages 18-31) with above-average scores on standardized personality scales for either cynical hostility or anxiety sensitivity, and a history of coffee-induced insomnia, participated in the month-long study. At-home polysomnographic recordings were obtained on successive pairs of nights once per week for a total of 8 recordings (nights 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23). Subjects (N = 59) received placebo pellets on night 8 (single-blind) and verum pellets in 30c doses of one of two homeopathic remedies, NV or CC, on night 22 (doubleblind). Subjects completed the Profile of Mood States Scales at bedtime.
RESULTS: The remedies produced differential effects on anger and overall mood, with improved mood following CC administration. A similar trend for depression was observed. Anxiety sensitive subjects experienced less tension following CC, whereas hostile subjects receiving CC became more tense. The high HTYPE-CC receiving CC experienced less vigor. The high HTYPE-CC receiving NV experienced more vigor.
Source : Forsch Komplementmed. 2010 Oct;17(5):250-7. Epub 2010 Oct 1
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Chronic primary insomnia: Efficacy of homeopathic simillimum
David Francis Naude*, Ingrid Marcelline Stephanie Couchman and Ashnie Maharaj
Department of Homoeopathy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, P.O. Box 1334,
Durban 4000, South Africa
Introduction:
Chronic primary insomnia is defined as difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep or of non-restorative sleep that lasts for at least 1 month and causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. The homeopathic simillimum is that remedy which most closely corresponds to the totality of symptoms; remedy selection is based on a full evaluation of the patient’s physical,
emotional and mental characteristics.
Aim/Purpose:
The purpose of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic simillimum in the treatment of chronic primary insomnia.
Method:
30 participants were selected in accordance with DSM-IV TR (2000)1 criterion
307.42 Primary Insomnia and then randomly divided between treatment and placebo groups. The measurement tools used were a Sleep Diary (SD) and the Sleep Impairment Index (SII).2
After an initial consultation, 2 follow-up consultations at 2-week intervals took place. Homeopathic medication was prescribed at the first and second consultations. The SII was completed at each consultation and participants were instructed at the first consultation to start the SD.
Results:
SD data revealed that verum treatment resulted in a significant increase in duration of sleep throughout the study, compared to the placebo treatment which resulted in no significant increase in duration of sleep. A significant improvement in SII summary scores and number of improved individual questions were found in the verum group, responses to all 11 questions having improved significantly upon completion of
the study. An initial improvement occurred in the placebo group, but was not sustained. Comparison of results between the groups revealed a statistically significant difference.
Conclusion:
The homeopathic simillimum treatment of primary insomnia was effective, compared to placebo. Homeopathy is a viable treatment modality for this condition and further research is justified. Homeopathy (2010) 99, 63–68.
Source : Homeopathy The Faculty of Homeopathy
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Effects of homeopathic medicines on polysomnographic sleep of young adults with histories of coffee-related insomnia.
Bell IR, Howerter A, Jackson N, Aickin M, Baldwin CM, Bootzin RR.Source
Department of Family and Community Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Homeopathy, a common form of alternative medicine worldwide, relies on subjective patient reports for diagnosis and treatment. Polysomnography offers a modern methodology for evaluating the objective effects of taking homeopathic remedies that clinicians claim exert effects on sleep quality in susceptible individuals. Animal studies have previously shown changes in non rapid eye movement sleep with certain homeopathic remedies.
METHODS: Young adults of both sexes (ages 18-31) with above-average scores on standardized personality scales for either cynical hostility or anxiety sensitivity (but not both) and a history of coffee-induced insomnia participated in the month-long study. At-home polysomnographic recordings were obtained on successive pairs of nights once per week for a total of eight recordings (nights 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23). Subjects (N=54) received placebo pellets on night 8 (single-blind) and verum pellets on night 22 (double-blind) in 30c doses of one of two homeopathic remedies, Nux Vomica or Coffea Cruda. Subjects completed daily morning sleep diaries and weekly Pittsburgh sleep quality index scales, as well as profile of mood states scales at bedtime on polysomnography nights.
RESULTS: Verum remedies significantly increased PSG total sleep time and NREM, as well as awakenings and stage changes. Changes in actigraphic and self-rated scale effects were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated the feasibility of using in-home, all-night sleep recordings to study homeopathic remedy effects. Findings are similar though not identical to those reported in animals with the same remedies. Possible mechanisms include initial disruption of the nonlinear dynamics of sleep patterns by the verum remedies.
Source : Sleep Med. 2011 May;12(5):505-11. Epub 2010 Jul 29
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