Oscillatory effects in a homeopathic clinical trial: an explanation using complexity theory, and implications for clinical practice

ME Hyland; GT Lewith

doi:10.1054/homp.2002.0025

Homeopathy, Table of Contents

Homeopathy 2002; 91(03): 145-149
DOI: 10.1054/homp.2002.0025

Original Paper

Oscillatory effects in a homeopathic clinical trial: an explanation using complexity theory, and implications for clinical practice

Authors

ME Hyland

¹Department of Psychology, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA, Plymouth, UK
GT Lewith

²University of Southampton

Subject Editor:

Abstract

Four double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials of asthma or rhinitis treated with homeopathic immunotherapy (HIT) at a 30C potency have been published. The most recent study, involving house dust mite allergic asthmatics, failed to confirm a therapeutic improvement at the end of the study, but did provide preliminary evidence for an oscillation in outcome (both physiological and subjective) in with verum treatment to placebo. In this paper we show how such an oscillation is consistent with a complexity theory interpretation of how the body functions as a whole, and speculate on why different studies have produced different results. If the complexity theory interpretation is correct, then this will have a significant impact on the design of clinical trials in homeopathy and, possibly, other complementary medical interventions.

Keywords

isopathy - homeopathic immunotherapy - asthma - oscillation - aggravation - complexity - networks

Full Text

References

References
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