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M Van Wassenhoven

Publications and source records attributed to M Van Wassenhoven.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Priorities and methods for developing the evidence profile of homeopathy. Recommendations of the ECH general assembly and XVIII Symposium of GIRI.

To achieve scientific acceptance, homeopathy must investigate several questions: 1. The activity of very highly diluted preparations. The consensus of the meeting was that there is clear evidence of this. 2. The content of very highly diluted homeopathic preparations. More research is needed but evidence exists that a specific signal is present in homeopathic preparations. 3. A theoretical framework in which the effects of homeopathic diluted preparations can be explained. The 'Body Information Theory' is such a theory. 4. The clinical effectiveness of homeopathy. Because they avoid the placebo effect, animal studies are a priority. For human trials using Quality of Life questionnaires, studies on the activity, content and theoretical basis of homeopathic preparations were reviewed approximately 70% of cases; more in children showed improvement. Homeopathy reduced costs and allowed a better improvement in work-days lost compared with conventional practice. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) implicitly test the placebo hypothesis; RCTs have been performed and meta-analyses conclude that there is clear evidence of efficacy which cannot be attributed to placebo effect. Priorities depend on the audience. More research is needed especially regarding the content of homeopathic preparations and the transmission of information. Theoretical issues are also important to avoid incorrect design of research protocols. More effort should be dedicated to veterinary research. Clinical effects analysis in humans remains important. Many other questions should be prioritised, such as the potential of homeopathy to avoid invasive procedures in children and the long-term effects of homeopathy in preventing chronic complications.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

An observational study of patients receiving homeopathic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have recently contributed useful information to the debate about the utility of homeopathic treatment in everyday practice. AIM: To gather data about routine homeopathic general practice. SETTING: Eighty general medical practices in Belgium where physicians were members of the Unio Homoeopathica Belgica. METHODS: All patients and their physicians visiting the practices on a specified day completed a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 782 patients presented with diseases of all major organ systems which were of sufficient severity to interfere with daily living in 78% of cases. Compared to previous conventional treatment, patients reported that consultations were much longer but costed less. One or more conventional drug treatments were discontinued in over half (52%) of the patients: CNS (including psychotropic) drugs (21%), drugs for respiratory conditions (16%) and antibiotics (16%). Conventional drugs were prescribed to about a quarter of patients (27%), mostly antibiotics and cardiovascular medication. The antibiotics were almost exclusively (95%) used to treat respiratory infections. Prescription costs (including conventional medicines) were one-third of the general practice average. Patients' satisfaction with their homeopathic treatment was very high (95% fairly or very satisfied), and ratings of their previous treatment was much lower (20%). The great majority (89%) said that homeopathy had improved their physical condition; 8.5% said that it had made no difference, 2.4% said that homeopathy had worsened their condition. Physicians' ratings of improvement were similar. Previous conventional treatment had improved 13% of patients, made no difference to 32%, and had worsened the condition of over half (55%). A similar pattern was seen for psychological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were very satisfied with their homeopathic treatment, both they and their physicians recorded significant improvement. Costs of homeopathic treatment were significantly lower than conventional treatment, and many previously prescribed drugs were discontinued.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Towards an evidence-based repertory: clinical evaluation of Veratrum album.

The analysis of data collected by applying information technology in daily practice opens the possibility of validating homeopathic prescribing symptoms. The author has collected data on repertory rubrics, homeopathic medicines prescribed, and clinical outcomes, for 16 years. As an example of clinical verification the outcomes of patients prescribed Veratrum album are correlated against rubrics. Remarkable results were obtained when Verat-a was presented to 24 patients, 52 rubrics were used. The data were analysed using the classical method and the likelihood ratios method. There is good correlation in the results given by these methods. Among the most important symptoms of Verat-a are: ailments from mortification, vomiting and cough in Spring.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed2002

Homeopathy and health related Quality of Life: a survey in six European countries.

A pilot survey of 1025 patients receiving homeopathic treatment in six European countries is reported. An initial questionnaire included demographic information and questions from health-related Quality of Life (QoL) scales. A follow-up questionnaire collected data on changes in QoL. The demographic characteristics of respondents were similar to previous studies. 82.8% of respondents had previously tried conventional treatments. Satisfaction with consultations was high. The changes of QoL status are positive but weak. 2.7% of patients experienced side-effects which they attribute to homeopathic treatment. 7.8% of patients reported significant aggravation at the beginning of the homeopathic treatment, 25.4% slight aggravation of symptoms. A new survey should be performed with a better motivation of doctors and patients. Further description of treatment would be helpful.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Homeopathy].

The European Union and the European Council are interested in the phenomenon "Homoeopathy". At the initiative of a member of the European Parliament, Mr. Paul LANNOYE, the European Commission created a study group with the aim to answer the question: "Is Homoeopathy researchable?" After 18 month, the group, including conventional pharmacologists and researchers using daily homoeopathy, answered affirmatively to the question. On the other side, the European Council asked the European Commission to start the COST Action B4 (1993 à 1998) with the aim to analyse unconventional medicine in Europe. The experts' group from 14 different countries produced a report on the legal situation, the sociologic and scientific aspects of these practices. Homoeopathy in Europe was deeply scrutinized during this action. The general quality of the clinical publications is acceptable and we could conclude that a specific remedy action, over the placebo effect, can be scientifically expected. The total number of publications is still too low to authorize conclusions about efficacy in one particular diagnosis. About basic research more publications are available and positive results are regular. One third of the publications were published in peer reviewed international journals. Today a sound scientific hypothesis can be drawn up about working mecanisms of homoeopathic dilutions.

Europe↗