Biomedical subjects

H Walach

Publications and source records attributed to H Walach.

41 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

[Is homeopathy accessible to research?].

This paper critically examines the scientific status of homeopathy. Against the background of latest research and the theoretical presuppositions of homeopathy, it is discussed, whether and how, homeopathy is amenable to scientific research. At the outset, the principal notions of homeopathy: similarity, potentiation and understanding of chronic diseases, are explained. Then the question is posed whether in recent research these notions have found adequate expression in research protocols, design and measured parameters. Although there is quite a bulk of literature now, only few publications address the principal notions of homeopathy adequately. It can be concluded, therefore, that homeopathy has not, as yet, been properly investigated. The question is addressed, how the homeopathic notion of the individual remedy should be put into practice in clinical trials, and what kind of clinical trials are possible in homeopathy. The necessity for placebo-controlled, randomized trials is discussed and a modification of the classical design for long term studies is introduced. Other research options are also shown. Finally, theoretical models for the explanation of possible high-dilution effects are shortly introduced and examined. It is argued that homeopathy is amenable to scientific research, and the terms of such research are made explicit.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1994

Change-to-Open-Label Design. Proposal and discussion of a new design for clinical parallel-group double-masked trials.

The "Change-to-Open-Label Design" (COLA-design) is proposed to overcome some of the ethical and organizational problems of the usual double-masked design in certain situations while preserving its scientific rigor. Patients are randomized on a doubled-masked basis into treatment groups. During the trial the patient or the treating physician may ask for a change from the masked treatment to any open-label treatment of their choice (experimental or not), if the masked treatment is thought to be unsatisfactory. It seems to be easier to obtain a patient's informed consent to participate in placebo controlled double-masked trials especially for long term studies. The main outcome variable in COLA-design is the time until a patient demands for such a change. "Survival analysis" is a powerful statistical method to evaluate this outcome variable. Even patients lost from observation can be included in the evaluation: they still deliver censored outcome values. Evidently, in trials with a COLA-design the patient's personal impression of the therapy is the most important factor in its assessment. Therapeutical success is mingled with undesirable effects into the outcome measure; therefore this design is especially applicable to investigate treatments supposed to increase quality of life.

Double-Blind Method↗

PubMed1993

Does a highly diluted homoeopathic drug act as a placebo in healthy volunteers? Experimental study of Belladonna 30C in double-blind crossover design--a pilot study.

A basic tenet of homoeopathy is that remedies which do not contain active molecules can have effects on the healthy human organism, by virtue of the specific preparation process of stepwise dilution and succussion, called potentization. The claim that a so called high 'potency' of a homoepathic remedy, Belladonna C30, could produce effects different from placebo, was investigated in a pilot study. In a double-blind crossover trial, 4 weeks of Belladonna C30 were compared to 4 weeks of placebo in 47 healthy volunteers. Data were collected daily. The number and types of changes were recorded into a predefined category system. Single-case evaluation showed differences between the two experimental phases for 21 subjects. Group evaluation showed no clearcut differences. The claim that homoeopathic potencies can produce symptoms other than placebo in healthy subjects should be put to further scrutiny.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Not Available].

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Diagnosis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of Bach-flower remedies in test anxiety: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial with partial crossover.

Bach-flower remedies are a type of alternative medication used increasingly for over-the-counter self-help purposes. We studied the efficacy of a combination of Bach-flower remedies in subjects with test anxiety in a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded parallel group design, with crossing over the placebo group to remedies after the first phase. Anxiety was measured by a standardized, validated test anxiety questionnaire (the German version of the Test Anxiety Inventory, TAI-G). Fifty-five of 61 subjects with self-reported test anxiety gave valid data. There was no significant difference between the groups, but a significant decrease of test anxiety in all groups was present. We conclude that Bach-flower remedies are an effective placebo for test anxiety and do not have a specific effect.

Adult↗