Homeopathy in the treatment of fibromyalgia-A comprehensive literature-review and meta-analysis

Boehm, K; Raak, C; Cramer, H; Lauche, R; Ostermann, T

Homeopathy in the treatment of fibromyalgia-A comprehensive literature-review and meta-analysis

Boehm, K Raak, C Cramer, H

Lauche, R

Ostermann, T

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2014, 22 (4), pp. 731 - 742
Issue Date:: 2014-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Boehm, K	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Raak, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3640-8046	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Ostermann, T	en_US
dc.date.available	2014-06-23	en_US
dc.date.issued	2014-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2014, 22 (4), pp. 731 - 742	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0965-2299	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/116057
dc.description.abstract	Background: Coping with the complex nature of fibromyalgia symptoms (FMS) still remains a challenge for patients. Taking into account the possible adverse events of pharmacological treatments patients often seek additional treatments for the management of fibromyalgia and turn towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objective: In this review, we aimed to investigate the current state of literature of homeopathy in the treatment of FMS. Methods: We searched Medline, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo and CAMbase for the terms "fibromyalgia AND homeopath$" through February 2013. In addition we searched Google Scholar, the library of the Carstens Foundation and that of the Deutsche Homöopathische Union (DHU). Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and meta-analyzed using the generic inverse variance method. Results: We found 10 case-reports, 3 observational studies, 1 non-randomized and 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on homeopathy for fibromyalgia. Both case reports and observational studies are naturally predominated by the use of qualitative and not validated outcome measures. Meta-analyses of CCTs revealed effects of homeopathy on tender point count (SMD. = -0.42; 95%CI -0.78, -0.05; P= 0.03), pain intensity (SMD. = -0.54; 95%CI -0.97, -0.10; P= 0.02), and fatigue (SMD. = -0.47; 95%CI -0.90, -0.05; P= 0.03) compared to placebo. Conclusion: The results of the studies as well as the case reports define a sufficient basis for discussing the possible benefits of homeopathy for patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome although any conclusions based on the results of this review have to be regarded as preliminary. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Complementary Therapies in Medicine	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.ctim.2014.06.005	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Complementary & Alternative Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Fibromyalgia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Homeopathy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.title	Homeopathy in the treatment of fibromyalgia-A comprehensive literature-review and meta-analysis	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	22	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1701 Psychology	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	22	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Coping with the complex nature of fibromyalgia symptoms (FMS) still remains a challenge for patients. Taking into account the possible adverse events of pharmacological treatments patients often seek additional treatments for the management of fibromyalgia and turn towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Objective: In this review, we aimed to investigate the current state of literature of homeopathy in the treatment of FMS. Methods: We searched Medline, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo and CAMbase for the terms "fibromyalgia AND homeopath$" through February 2013. In addition we searched Google Scholar, the library of the Carstens Foundation and that of the Deutsche Homöopathische Union (DHU). Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and meta-analyzed using the generic inverse variance method. Results: We found 10 case-reports, 3 observational studies, 1 non-randomized and 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on homeopathy for fibromyalgia. Both case reports and observational studies are naturally predominated by the use of qualitative and not validated outcome measures. Meta-analyses of CCTs revealed effects of homeopathy on tender point count (SMD. = -0.42; 95%CI -0.78, -0.05; P= 0.03), pain intensity (SMD. = -0.54; 95%CI -0.97, -0.10; P= 0.02), and fatigue (SMD. = -0.47; 95%CI -0.90, -0.05; P= 0.03) compared to placebo. Conclusion: The results of the studies as well as the case reports define a sufficient basis for discussing the possible benefits of homeopathy for patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome although any conclusions based on the results of this review have to be regarded as preliminary. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/116057