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Outcome Studies
Outcome studies compare outcomes, e.g. levels of pain, degree of depressive symptoms, either between two groups, or between the same people before and after EFT. The headings below tell you, in alphabetical order, the conditions for which data was gathered in the trials below them.
Anxiety
Psychological Trauma in Veterans using EFT: A Randomized Controlled Trial
http://www.eftuniverse.com/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=2465&Itemid=2068
The Effect of a Brief EFT Self-Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Pain and Cravings in Healthcare Workers
Psychological Symptom Change in Veterans After Six Sessions of Emotional freedom Techniques (EFT): An Observational Study
The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT
The Effects of EFT on Long-term Psychological Symptoms
Self-administered EFT in Individuals with Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Trial
Pilot Study of EFT, WHEE and CBT for Treatment of Test Anxiety in University Students
Assessment of EFT: An Alternative Treatment for Fear
The Effect of Progressive Muscular Relaxation and Emotional Freedom Techniques on Test Anxiety in High School Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Athletic Performance
The Effect of EFT on Athletic Performance: A Randomized Controlled Blind Trial
A Re-Examination of Church’s (2009) Study into the Effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) on Basketball Free-Throw Performance
Depression
Brief Group Intervention Using EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) for Depression in College Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Psychological Trauma in Veterans using EFT: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of a Brief EFT Self-Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Pain and Cravings in Healthcare Workers
Psychological Symptom Change in Veterans After Six Sessions of Emotional freedom Techniques (EFT): An Observational Study
The Treatment of Combat Trauma in Veterans Using EFT
The Effects of EFT on Long-term Psychological Symptoms
Self-administered EFT in Individuals with Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Trial
Pain & Physical Symptoms
The Effect of a Brief EFT Self-Intervention on Anxiety, Depression, Pain and Cravings in Healthcare Workers
Psychological Trauma in Veterans using EFT: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) as an Effective Adjunctive Treatment in the Neurotherapeutic Treatment of Seizure Disorders
Self-administered EFT in Individuals with Fibromyalgia: a Randomized Trial
Neurophysiological Indicators of EFT Treatment Of Post-Traumatic Stress
ACUPUNCTURE
Lower back pain
http://www.annals.org/content/147/7/492.abstract
A wide review of studies and research on non-pharmacological therapies for lower back pain for the American Pain Society/American College of Physicians (Annals of Internal Medicine 2007 Oct 2; 147(7): 492-504) found fair evidence that acupuncture is effective for chronic low back pain.
Headaches and migraine
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001218.html
A review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2009, Issue I) looked at 22 trials investigating acupuncture’s effectiveness in preventing migraine. Patients who received acupuncture had fewer headaches than those given basic care, and acupuncture was as least as effective as, or possibly more effective than, drug treatment, with fewer adverse side effects.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19020156
A review investigating acupuncture in the treatment of chronic headache (Anesth. Analg. 2008; 107; 2038-47) looked at 31 trials; acupuncture was found to be superior to medication in improving headache intensity, frequency, and response rate.
Similar results have been recorded in many recent reviews and clinical trials.
ALEXANDER TECHNIQUE
Chronic and recurrent back pain
British Medical Journal 2008; 337: a884
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/337/aug19_2/a884
A randomised controlled trial of Alexander technique lessons, exercise, and massage for treatment of chronic and recurrent back pain conducted by Professor Paul Little and others (reported in the British Medical Journal 2008; 337: a884) found that lessons in the Alexander technique from registered teachers had long-term benefits – the treatment remained effective at one year, and the participants’ quality of life improved significantly (579 people took part in this trial).
Parkinson’s disease
http://www.stat.org.uk/pages/research1.htm
Another randomised controlled trial (Clinical Rehabilitation 2002; 16 705-718) found that lessons in the Alexander technique are likely to bring sustained benefit to those with Parkinson’s disease. A group of 93 people were divided into three sections, one having lessons in the Alexander technique, one having massage, and one having no additional treatment. After six months those who had had Alexander treatment reported significantly less disability and depression and significantly more self-confidence.
APPLIED KINESIOLOGY
Food allergy testing
Schmitt WH, Leisman G (December 1998). "Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunoglobulin levels for food allergies". Int. J. Neurosci. 96 (3-4): 237–44. doi:10.3109/00207459808986471
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_kinesiology#cite_note-AKIGSTUDY2-22
[This] study showed a high degree of correlation between AK muscle testing for food allergies and antibodies for those foods. The AK procedure in this study involved stimulation of taste receptors followed by muscle testing for change in strength. The patient was suspected of being allergic to foods that disrupted muscle function. Blood drawn subsequently showed the presence of antibodies to the foods which were found to be allergenic through AK assessment.
International Journal of Neuroscience
1998, Vol. 96, No. 3-4, Pages 237-244. Walter H. Schmitt† and Gerry Leisman
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/00207459808986471
Correlation of applied kinesiology muscle testing findings with serum immunologobulin levels for food allergies
The pilot study attempted to determine whether subjective muscle testing employed by applied kinesiology practitioners prospectively determine those individuals with specific hyperallergenic responses. Seventeen subjects were found positive on AK muscle testing screening procedures, indicating food hypersensitivity (allergy) reactions. Each subject showed muscle weakening (inhibition) reactions to oral provocative testing of one or two foods for a total of 21 positive food reactions. Tests for a hypersensitivity reaction of the serum were performed using both a radio-allergosorbent test (RAST) and immune complex test for IgE and IgG against all 21 of the foods that tested positive with AK muscle screening procedures. These serum tests confirmed 19 of the 21 food allergies (90.5%) suspected based on the AK screening procedures.
Lower back pain, thyroid orbitopathy, learning disabilities in children, somatic dyspnea (shortness of breath), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
On the reliability and validity of manual muscle testing: a literature review
Scott C Cuthbert and George J Goodheart Jr (2007).
http://www.icak.com
The MMT employed by chiropractors, physical therapists, and neurologists was shown to be a clinically useful tool, but its ultimate scientific validation and application requires testing that employs sophisticated research models in the areas of neurophysiology, biomechanics, RCTs, and statistical analysis.
Improvements after applied kinesiology treatment were reported for the following conditions: low back pain, thyroid orbitopathy, learning disabilities in children, somatic dyspnea (shortness of breath), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
AROMATHERAPY
Intensive care applications
Journal of Advanced Nursing, Volume 21 Issue 1, Pages 34 - 40
Published Online: 28 Jun 2008
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119248368/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Sensing an improvement: an experimental study to evaluate the use of aromatherapy, massage and periods of rest in an intensive care unit.
Christine Dunn RN DPSN BSc(Hons)
There is widespread belief that the use of aromatherapy and massage in an intensive care environment offers a means of increasing the quality of sensory input that patients receive, as well as reducing levels of stress and anxiety Despite a wealth of anecdotal evidence in support of these claims, there have been few objective studies to evaluate the effects of these therapies In this experimental study 122 patients admitted to a general intensive care unit were randomly allocated to receive either massage, aromatherapy using essential oil of lavender, or a period of rest. Both pre- and post-therapy assessments included physiological stress indicators and patients' evaluation of their anxiety levels, mood, and ability to cope with their intensive care experience. Ninety-three patients (77%) were able to complete subjective assessments. There were no statistically significant differences in the physiological stress indicators or observed or reported behaviour of patients' ability to cope following any of the three interventions. However, those patients who received aromatherapy reported significantly greater improvement in their mood and perceived levels of anxiety. They also felt less anxious and more positive immediately following the therapy, although this effect was not sustained or cumulative.
Cancer care, anxiety
Palliative Medicine, Vol. 13, No. 5, 409-417 (1999)
DOI: 10.1191/026921699678148345
http://pmj.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/5/409
This study assessed the effects of massage and aromatherapy massage on cancer patients in a palliative care setting.
There was a statistically significant reduction in anxiety after each massage on the STAI (P < 0.001), and improved scores on the RSCL: psychological (P < 0.001), quality of life (P < 0.01), severe physical (P < 0.05), and severe psychological (P < 0.05) subscales for the combined aromatherapy and massage group. The aromatherapy group's scores improved on all RSCL subscales at the 1% level of significance or better, except for severely restricted activities.
Massage with or without essential oils appears to reduce levels of anxiety. The addition of an essential oil seems to enhance the effect of massage and to improve physical and psychological symptoms, as well as overall quality of life.
Stress in the aged and physically - or mentally-challenged
The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health, Vol. 117, No. 5, 324-329 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/146642409711700511 M. Lis-Balchin
http://rsh.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/117/5/324
Stress is a major problem in hospitals, hospices and homes for the aged and physically or mentally-challenged. Aromatherapy is welcomed by nurses who want to be closer to their patient, and by doctors who can refer patients with stress-related disorders who do not respond to conventional medicines …
Studies have shown that essential oils have an effect on brainwaves and can also alter behaviour. It is possible that most of the effect of the oils is probably transmitted through the brain via the olfactory system. Used professionally and safely, aromatherapy can be of great benefit as an adjunct to conventional medicine or used simply as an alternative.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY
Common childhood conditions
Health Visit 1994 Jul;67(7):232-234. Attlee T.
http://www.henryspink.org/cranial_craniosacral_osteopathy.htm
Common childhood conditions such as colic, poor sleep, recurrent ear infection, glue ear, regurgitation, poor feeding and inconsolable screaming may be treated successfully through the gentle, non-invasive methods of craniosacral therapy.
Best Evidence Summaries of Topics in Mental Healthcare. Section for Evidence-Based Mental Health, Health Services and Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, London
www.bestinmh.org.uk
Two well-conducted systematic reviews of baby massage were identified. In one (14 studies), massage compared with no treatment was found to benefit pre-term or low birth weight infants in terms of weight gain and reduced hospital stay. However, the included studies contained serious methodological flaws and so these findings should be interpreted with caution.
In the other, evidence from 22 studies suggest that massage compared with no treatment improved mother-infant interaction, sleep and relaxation, reduced crying and had a beneficial impact on a number of hormones controlling stress in healthy, full-term babies less than 6 months old.
FLOWER ESSENCES
Depression
Flower Essence Therapy in the Treatment of Major Depression: Preliminary Findings by Jeffery R. Cram, PhD
http://www.wholistichealingresearch.com/11Cram
The results strongly suggest that flower essences may be used adjunctively to facilitate the resolution of mild to moderate depression … one half of the subjects made substantial changes in their depression scores (Beck change scores which were 10 points or more); one third of the subjects made moderate gains; and only two subjects had minimal changes … The fact that we see such positive response curves to the combined flower essence and usual care intervention clearly suggests that practitioners can use non-toxic, energetic substances to assist their patients in coping more effectively with depression. Unlike traditional medications that work via biochemical pathways for depression, flower essences appear to provide the practitioner with a tool to assist the patient in resolving underlying psychological issues that contribute to and perpetuate their depression.
Stress
A Psychological and Metaphysical Study of Dr. Edward Bach's Flower Essence Stress Formula by Jeffrey R. Cram, Ph.D. Sierra Health Institute, Nevada City, California, US.
http://www.edwardbach.org//research/docs/research_cram.htm#report2
A traditional psychophysiological stress profiling research paradigm is applied to the study of a flower essence combination (Five-Flower Formula) on the "stress response". A double blind, placebo control group out come study is conducted, in which 24 subjects are administered either a placebo or the flower essence combination prior to engaging in a Paced Serial Arithmetic Task (PSAT) … The Five-Flower Formula has been demonstrated to significantly attenuate the stress response lends credence to the use of these substances in the treatment of stress-related disorders.
Pain Control
Judy Howard, The Bach Centre, Mount Vernon, Sotwell, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 0PZ, England, UK
Bach Flowers
The use of Bach Flower remedies has brought about positive emotional changes in the majority of clients in this study. Whilst it is difficult to draw a definitive conclusion as to significance of the therapeutic value of these remedies in relation to pain above that of a placebo, the results are encouraging. In particular , relief of negative emotions and promotion of positive thought including how clients opened up about, and dealt with, emotional issues. The indication is that potential for Bach Flower remedies as a therapeutic agent in the relief of pain does exist and is worthy of further qualitative and quantitative investigation through robust, purpose-designed studies to replicate and progress the results shown here.
HYPNOTHERAPY
Hypnosis & Back Pain
Moret V; Forster A; Laverriere MC; Lambert H; Gaillard RC; Bourgeois P; Haynal A; Gemperle M; Buchser E . Mechanism of analgesia induced by hypnosis and acupuncture: is there a difference? Pain (NETHERLANDS) May 1991,45 (2) p135-40
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Back%20Pain%20-%20researchAltTherapies.htm#Acupuncture%20&%20Hypnosis
Experimental pain was induced by a cold pressor test in eight male volunteers. The analgesic effects of hypnosis and acupuncture were assessed before and after double-blind administration of a placebo or naloxone, in a prospective, crossover study. Both hypnosis and acupuncture can significantly reduce pain induced by cold pressor tests. Hypnotherapy is more effective than acupuncture.
Eczema
Black S. Inhibition of immediate-type hypersensitivity response by direct suggestion under hypnosis. British Medical Journal (1963)1, 925-9.
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Eczema%20-%20researchAltTherapies.htm#Acupuncture%20&%20Hypnotherapy
A report in the British Medical Journal as far back as 1963 (1) revealed that hypnosis could prevent hypersensitive skin reactions to allergens and thereby prevent inflammation and irritation.
Nordvall SL; Lindgren L; Johansson SG; Johansson 5; Fetrini B. IgE antibodies to Pityrosporum orbiculare and Staphylococcus aureus in patients with very high serum total IgE. Department of Paediatrics, St Goran’s Children’s Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Clin Exp Allergy (ENGLAND) Aug 1992, 22 (8) p756-61.
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Eczema%20-%20researchAltTherapies.htm#Acupuncture%20&%20Hypnotherapy
A report of the Royal College of Physicians Committee on Clinical Immunology and Allergy in 1992 (2) acknowledged that hypnotherapy has a ‘role to play’ in the treatment of allergy-induced eczema.
Headaches
Zitman FG; Van Dyck R; Spinhoven P; Linssen AC. Hypnosis and autogenic training in the treatment of tension headaches: a two-phase constructive design study with follow-up. Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University, Nymegen, The Netherlands. J Psychosom Res (ENGLAND) Apr 1992, 36 (3) p219-28
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Headaches-research-AltTherapies.htm#Hypnosis
[These] studies indicate that relatively simple and highly structured relaxation techniques of hypnotherapy and autogenic training may be of considerable help in the treatment of chronic headaches. It also appears that a high level of hypnotic susceptibility is associated with a better therapeutic outcome.
Intractable pain
Crasilneck HE. The use of the Crasilneck Bombard-ment Technique in problems of intractable organic pain. Am J Clin Hypn (UNITED STATES) Apr 1995, 37 (4) p255-66
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Therapies/Hypnotherapy-Research.htm#Hypnotherapy%20-%20intractable%20pain
The results showed that ten of twelve patients responded positively to the Bombardment Method (The Crasilneck Bombardment Technique consists of six diversified methods of hypnotic inductions used consecutively within one hour). More interestingly, one year after the treatment, the patients estimates of pain control ranged from a minimum of 80% relief to a maxi-mum of 90%, most of the time. The types of intractable pain treated were six head-aches, three backaches, one arthritic pain, one postherpetic neuralgia pain problem, and one temporomandibular joint pain.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Kunze M; Seidel HJ; Stube G [Comparative studies of the effectiveness of brief psychotherapy, acupuncture and papaverin therapy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome] Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Effektivitat der kleinen Psychotherapie, der Akupunktur und der Papaverintherapie bei Patienten mit Colon irritabile. Klinik fur Innere Medizin, Bereich Neuropsychiatrie, Bezirkskrankenhauses Suhl.Z Gesamte Inn Med (GERMANY) Oct 15 1990, 45 (20) p625-7
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Irritable%20Bowel%20Syndrome%20-%20researchAltTherapies.htm#Hypnotherapy
%20&%20Psychotherapy
Results of the study revealed that psychotherapies helped to successfully alleviate the symptoms in 74 per cent of the patients - a far higher number than was noted [with drug therapy].
Crohn’s Disease
Psychotherapy of Crohn disease Zur Psychotherapie des M. Crohn. Feiereis H Langenbecks Arch Chir 1984, 364 p407-11
http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/Health-problems/Crohn%27s%20Disease%20-%20researchAltTherapies.htm#Hypnotherapy
%20&%20Psychotherapy
A controlled study in Europe involving 266 patients suffering from Crohn's disease revealed that psychotherapy is an important element in the treatment of this disease. The researchers found that psychotherapy can improve the therapeutic possibilities of drugs, diet and surgery.
HOMOEOPATHY
By the end of 2008, accounts of over 135 randomised controlled trials of homoeopathy had been published in peer-reviewed academic journals. Of these trials, 70 were judged to have produced statistically significant results, and in 60 of the trials, patients given a homoeopathic medicine improved more than those given a placebo (R Mathie: The Research Evidence Base for Homoeopathy, British Homoeopathic Association 2008).
In the same article, Mathie finds research evidence from systematic reviews and randomised controlled trials to support the use of homoeopathic treatment for many conditions, including allergies, upper respiratory infections, sprains, ear infections, fibrositis, osteoarthritis, depression, and many others.
Homoeopathy
A paper published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (1997; 35: 296-301) found that homeopathic treatment can be more effective than conventional treatment for otitis media (acute ear infection) in children; the children who had homoeopathic treatment suffered less pain, and also had fewer ear infections over the following year, compared with those who received conventional treatment.
Again, a trial reported in the American Journal of Pain Management (1998; 8 (3): 89-91) showed that homoeopathic medicines can be more effective in relieving the pain of osteoarthritis than a standard pain-killing drug, and have no adverse side effects.
Various conditions
J. Kleijnen, P. Knipschild, G. ter Riet, "Clinical Trials of Homoeopathy," British Medical Journal, February 9, 1991, 302:316-323.
http://www.garynull.com/documents/articlesfromorgs/homeopathy_scientific_research.htm
Three professors of medicine from the Netherlands, none of them homeopaths, performed a meta-analysis of 25 years of clinical studies using homeopathic medicines and published their results in the British Medical Journal.4 This meta-analysis covered 107 controlled trials, of which 81 showed that homeopathic medicines were effective, 24 showed they were ineffective, and 2 were inconclusive.
The professors concluded, "The amount of positive results came as a surprise to us." Specifically, they found that:
13 of 19 trials showed successful treatment of respiratory infections,
6 of 7 trials showed positive results in treating other infections,
5 of 7 trials showed improvement in diseases of the digestive system,
5 of 5 showed successful treatment of hay fever,
5 of 7 showed faster recovery after abdominal surgery,
4 of 6 promoted healing in treating rheumatological disease,
18 of 20 showed benefit in addressing pain or trauma,
8 of 10 showed positive results in relieving mental or psychological
problems, and
13 of 15 showed benefit from miscellaneous diagnoses.
Despite the high percentage of studies that provided evidence of success with homeopathic medicine, most of these studies were flawed in some way or another. Still, the researchers found 22 high-caliber studies, 15 of which showed that homeopathic medicines were effective. Of further interest, they found that 11 of the best 15 studies showed efficacy of these natural medicines, suggesting that the better designed and performed the studies were, the higher the likelihood that the medicines were found to be effective. Although people unfamiliar with research may be surprised to learn that most of the studies on homeopathy were flawed in one significant way or another, research in conventional medicine during the past 25 years has had a similar percentage of flawed studies.
With this knowledge, the researchers of the meta-analysis on homeopathy concluded, "The evidence presented in this review would probably be sufficient for establishing homeopathy as a regular treatment for certain indications."
Kleijnen reported in the British Medical Journal, in 1991, that of 107 trials of homoeopathy in which the methods of the study were scientifically adequate, 77 trials showed a positive response to homoeopathy. (British Medical Journal 1991, volume 302, pages 316-323.)
Linde reported in The Lancet, in 1997, that an analysis of 89 trials, covering the treatment of over 10,500 patients, gave results for homoeopathic treatment which were better than could be explained by placebo. (The Lancet 1994, volume 344, pages 1601-1606.)
Asthma
David Reilly, Morag Taylor, Neil Beattie, et al., "Is Evidence for Homoeopathy Reproducible?" Lancet, December 10, 1994, 344:1601-6.
http://www.garynull.com/documents/articlesfromorgs/homeopathy_scientific_research.htm
A recent clinical trial evaluating homeopathic medicine was a unique study of the treatment of asthma. Researchers at the University of Glasgow used conventional allergy testing to discover which substances these asthma patients were most allergic to. Once this was determined, the subjects were randomized into treatment and placebo groups. Those patients chosen for treatment were given the 30c potency of the substance to which they were most allergic (the most common substance was house dust mite). The researchers called this unique method of individualizing remedies "homeopathic immunotherapy" (homeopathic medicines are usually prescribed based on the patient's idiosyncratic symptoms, not on laboratory analysis or diagnostic categories). Subjects in this experiment were evaluated by both homeopathic and conventional physicians.
This study showed that 82% of the patients given a homeopathic medicine improved, while only 38% of patients given a placebo experienced a similar degree of relief. When asked if they felt the patient received the homeopathic medicine or the placebo, both the patients and the doctors tended to guess correctly.
Headaches
Bruno Brigo, and G. Serpelloni, "Homeopathic Treatment of Migraines: A Randomized Double-blind Controlled Study of 60 Cases," Berlin Journal on Research in Homeopathy, March 1991, 1,2:98-106.
http://www.garynull.com/documents/articlesfromorgs/homeopathy_scientific_research.htm
A study of the homeopathic treatment of migraine headache was conducted in Italy. Sixty patients were randomized and entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients regularly filled out a questionnaire on the frequency, intensity, and characteristics of their head pain. They were prescribed a single dose of a 30c remedy at four separate times over two-week intervals. Eight remedies were considered, and prescribers were allowed to use any two with a patient. While only 17% of patients given a placebo experienced relief of their migraine pain, an impressive 93% of patients given an individualized homeopathic medicine experienced good results.
Rheumatoid arthritis
R.G. Gibson, S. Gibson, A.D. MacNeill, et al., "Homoeopathic Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Evaluation by Double-blind Clinical Therapeutic Trial," British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 1980, 9:453-59.
http://www.garynull.com/documents/articlesfromorgs/homeopathy_scientific_research.htm
Another study that involved individualized homeopathic care was in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The study involved 46 patients. Two homeopathic physicians prescribed individually chosen medicines to each patient, though only half of them were given the real remedy, while the other half were given a placebo. The study found that 82% of those given an individualized homeopathic remedy experienced some relief of symptoms, while 21% of those given a placebo experienced a similar degree of relief.
Pregnancy/Labour
P. Dorfman, M.N. Lasserre, M. and Tetau, "Preparation a l'accouchement par Homeopathie: Experimentation en double-insu versus Placebo," Cahiers de Biotherapie, April 1987, 94:77-81.
http://www.garynull.com/documents/articlesfromorgs/homeopathy_scientific_research.htm
An example of significant results from a homeopathic combination remedy was in the treatment of women during their ninth month of pregnancy. Ninety women were given the 5c potency of the following remedies: Caulophyllum, Arnica, Cimicifuga, Pulsatilla, and Gelsemium. They were given doses of this combination remedy twice daily during the ninth month. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that women given the homeopathic medicines experienced a 40% (!) shorter labor than those given a placebo. Also, the women given the placebo had four times (!) as many complications of labor as those given the homeopathic medicines.
Varicose Veins
E. Ernst, T. Saradeth, K.L. Resch, "Complementary Treatment of Varicose Veins: A Randomised, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Trial," Phlebology, 1990, 157-163.
http://www.garynull.com/documents/articlesfromorgs/homeopathy_scientific_research.htm
A study of 61 patients with varicose veins was performed double-blind and placebo-controlled. Three doses of a popular German combination of eight homeopathic medicines were given daily for 24 days. Measures were venous filling time, leg volume, and subjective symptoms. The study found that venous filling time improved in those given the homeopathic medicines by 44%, while it deteriorated in the placebo group by 18%. Other measures also had significant differences.
Acute diarrhea
American Scientific Journal, 1994
Jennifer Jacobs, M.D.
http://www.holisticonline.com/homeopathy/homeo_clinical.htm
The study, which was conducted in Nicaragua and included eighty-one children with acute diarrhea. All the children received standard antidehydration treatment for diarrhea, consisting of water containing salt and sugar. In addition, half the children received homeopathic treatment and half received a placebo. The study confirmed homeopathy's effectiveness: the recovery time for children receiving homeopathic treatment was 20 percent faster than those receiving the placebo, reducing the bout of diarrhea by one day. These results are heartening because diarrhea is the leading cause of death in developing countries such as Nicaragua.
Respiratory infection, Digestive system, Hay fever, Rheumatological disease
British Medical Journal, 1991
http://www.holisticonline.com/homeopathy/homeo_clinical.htm
The British Medical Journal published an analysis of 107 clinical studies published between 1966 and 1990. The authors found that in 81 of the experiments, the homeopathic treatments were successful. Even when they included only the 23 studies that they considered to be of the highest quality, the vast majority of these (15) showed positive results. Here's how the results broke down: 13 out of the 19 trials of respiratory infection treatment were effective, 6 out of 7 were positive for other infections, 5 out of 7 were positive for digestive system treatment, 5 out of 5 were successful for hay fever, 5 out of 7 showed accelerated recovery after surgery, 4 out of 6 helped in rheumatological disease, 18 of 20 were beneficial for pain or traumatic injury; and 8 out of 10 worked for mental or psychological problems.
McTIMONEY CHIROPRACTIC
Spinal dysfunction, asthma, gastro-intestinal complaints, pre-menstrual syndrome
Clinical Chiropractic, Volume 10, Issue 3, Pages 147-155, A. Pollentier, J. Langworthy
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1479235407000181
The scope of chiropractic practice: A survey of chiropractors in the UK, including McTimoney Chiropractic
Overall, mechanical conditions of the musculoskeletal system were felt to be treated effectively by chiropractic intervention, and there was 100% agreement that it was beneficial in treating mechanical dysfunctions of the spine. Non-musculoskeletal conditions in adults, including asthma (64%), gastro-intestinal complaints (61%) and pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) (70%), were considered conditions that can benefit from chiropractic management.
OSTEOPATHY
Several large studies have produced evidence that osteopathy is effective in alleviating pain.
http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Back-Manipulation.htm
A recent example is the UK Back Pain Exercise and Manipulation (UK BEAM) trial (BMJ 2004 Dec 11; 329 (7479): 1377 and 1381), which found that osteopathy was effective (and cost effective) in the management of lower back pain.
[http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/6/43/abstract]
A meta-analysis and systematic review of six randomised controlled trials of osteopathic treatment (BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 2005; 6: 43) found that osteopathy significantly reduces lower back pain, and that the level of pain reduction is greater than expected from placebo effects alone and persists for at least three months.
REFLEXOLOGY
Depression, stress, immune functions in middle-aged women
Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):179-88.
Lee YM, Department of Nursing, Inje University, Busan, Korea. lym312@inje.ac.kr
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16520577
Effect of self-foot reflexology massage on depression, stress responses and immune functions of middle aged women
This study aimed to identify the effects of a self-foot reflexology massage on depression, stress responses and functions of the immune system of middle-aged women … The subjects consisted of 46 middle-aged women (40-64 years) … Subjects were not treated for 4 weeks; subsequently they were trained in self foot reflexology massage for 2 weeks, and then they massaged themselves daily for 6 weeks (2 days at the research centre, 5 days at home). The outcome variables were measured 4 times: at baseline, pre training, after training, and after the intervention. The collected data were analysed using repeated measure ANOVA by the SPSS/WIN program.
There was a statistically significant difference in depression, perceived stress, systolic blood pressure, natural-killer cells and Ig G. However, there was not a statistically significant difference in diastolic blood pressure, pulse or serum cortisol. These results suggest that a self-foot reflexology massage could be utilized as an effective nursing intervention to reduce depression and stress responses, and to strengthen immune systems in middle-aged women.
Pain from breast and lung cancer
Oncology Nursing Forum, January/February 2000, Volume 27, Number 1 Nancy L.N. Stephenson, PhD, RN, CS, Sally P. Weinrich, RN, PhD, FAAN, and Abbas S. Tavakoli.
[http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:7h5rBRH2ONgJ:scholar.google.com/+reflexology&hl=en&as_sdt=2000]
Following foot reflexology intervention, patients with breast and lung cancer experienced a significant decrease in anxiety. One of three pain measures showed that patients with breast cancer experienced a significant decrease in pain. These findings suggest that foot reflexology may be a self-care approach to decrease anxiety in this patient population.
Cancer care
Hodgson H, Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow (2000)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11973949
The objective of this study was to determine whether reflexology has an impact on the quality of life of patients in the palliative stage of cancer. Twelve patients in the palliative stage of cancer with various tumour types were randomised into two groups. They were randomly assigned to receive either reflexology or placebo reflexology. All participants completed a linear analogue self-assessment scale relating to quality of life. All participants then received three sessions of either reflexology or placebo reflexology. The same person, a qualified reflexologist, provided the interventions for both groups. The participants were not aware of which intervention they were receiving. All participants then completed a second linear analogue self-assessment scale relating to quality of life. All participants felt that their quality of life had improved, even those who had received the placebo treatment. The reflexology group, however, reported more benefit than the placebo group. There was a significant difference (p = 0.004) between the reflexology group and the placebo group. This study showed, therefore, that reflexology does have an impact on the quality of life of patients in the palliative stage of cancer.
Lower back pain
Reflexology in the management of low back pain: A pilot randomised controlled trial.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 16, Issue 1, Page 3
F. Quinn, C. Hughes, G. Baxter
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0965229907000623
This study was designed as a pilot study for a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of reflexology in the management of low back pain (LBP).
Results indicate that reflexology may have a positive effect on lower back pain.
REIKI
Chronic pain
Hartwell & Brewitt (1997)
http://www.kokoro.uk.com/?page_id=13
In a study by Hartwell & Brewitt (1997) a group of chronically ill patients were given 11 weekly one-hour reiki sessions. No other new allopathic or complementary treatments were given during this period. The electrical skin resistance was measured at many conductance points on the hands and feet using a ‘LISTEN’ device. All patients were measured before the first session and after sessions 3 and 11. Three test points showed highly significant before/after differences. These meridian points correlate with the spleen, adrenal glands, and cervical and thoracic regions of the spine. These might be termed representative of the neuroendocrine-immune system. The spinal readings showed the greatest difference, starting on average 25% below normal, and gradually increasing to within optimal range. Following reiki, all patients experienced a reduction in pain and an increase in relaxation and mobility.
In 1997, Dr. Olson, Coordinator of Nursing Research and Dr. Hanson, research scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, USA conducted research into the efficacy of reiki as an adjunct to opiate therapy, with a view to reducing the dosage while maintaining a similar level of pain management. Patient perception of pain was measured using two standard tests immediately before and after reiki treatments. Both tests showed a highly significant reduction in pain following reiki.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Volume 26, Issue 5, Pages 990-997
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0885392403003348
A phase II trial of reiki for the management of pain in advanced cancer patients compared pain, quality of life, and analgesic use in a sample of patients with cancer pain (n=24). They received either standard opioid management plus rest (Arm A) or standard opioid management plus reiki (Arm B). Participants either rested for 1.5 hr on Days 1 and 4 or received two reiki treatments (Days 1 and 4) one hour after their first afternoon analgesic dose. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain ratings, blood pressure, heart rate, and respirations were obtained before and after each treatment/rest period. Analgesic use and VAS pain scores were reported for 7 days. Quality of life was assessed on Days 1 and 7. Participants in Arm B experienced improved pain control on Days 1 and 4 following treatment, compared to Arm A, and improved quality of life, but no overall reduction in opioid use. Future research will determine the extent to which the benefits attributed to reiki in this study may have been due to touch.
Multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome
Duquemin and Pankhurst, 2002
http://www.reiki-kurse-hamburg.de/resources/html/forschung.html
[Translation from the German] Two other interesting reiki studies were performed in 2002 by Duquemin and Pankhurst in England. Reiki treatments for patients with multiple sclerosis and others with chronic fatigue syndrome were studied. Health data were collected in parallel to the treatments. The group of participants studied was fairly small, so further research is needed in this area.
After 12 treatments of 1.5 hours 90.2% of MS patients experienced a reduction in lethargy, 87% suffered less from depression. Cognitive and motor problems were reduced to a considerable extent. Over 70% of patients reported that their pain and fatigue were reduced.
In the group of patients who suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome, 90% reported that their pain was reduced.
An improvement in motor skills was observed in 80% of the patients, and 70% suffered less fatigue.
THOUGHT FIELD THERAPY (TFT)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)
Charles R. Figley, PhD, Psychosocial Stress Research Program & Clinical Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4097 (1995)
http://www.trauma-pages.com/s/tft.php
Although we knew a great deal about the etiology, incidence and prevalence of PTSD, there was no known cure. My intention was to find a cure. and if one could not be found, build upon those offering the best hope for providing one.
Thanks to the help of colleagues all over the world, we were able to find four approaches that appeared to hold great promise for reaching our goal. We were so impressed with them that we invited the innovators of these approaches to our clinical laboratory for a week to participate in our systematic clinical demonstration study. The primary purpose of their visit was to treat our clients, while meeting with our Tallahassee clinical practitioner colleagues prior to and following their work here. The Four approaches we studied were: Traumatic Incident Reduction, Visual Kinesthetic Dissociation, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and Thought Field Therapy (TFT).
Here I would like to tell you about one of the four approaches. I do this not because we are suggesting that it is better than any other approach. All four of the approaches we investigated generated impressive results. But TFT stood out from all other approaches of which I am aware because of five reasons:
1. It is extraordinarily powerful, in that clients receive nearly immediate relief from their suffering and the treatment appears to be permanent.
2. It can be taught to nearly anyone so that clients can not only treat themselves, but treat others affected.
3. It appears to do no harm.
4. It does not require the client to talk about their troubles, something that often causes more emotional pain and discourages many for seeking treatment.
5. It is extremely efficient (fast and long-lasting).
Trauma/Phobia
Caroline Sakai, Ph.D, Honolulu, Hawaii
http://www.tftcenter.com/
My clinical experience over the nine years I have been using TFT is that completeness of treatment with TFT can make a difference in how long it holds with treatment of trauma and phobia. Individualized energy sensitivities have their retriggering effects on addiction, anxiety, depression, fatigue, irritability, insomnia, etc. and at times with trauma and phobia as well. However, this retriggering with trauma and phobia appears in my experience to be reduced with more comprehensive and complete treatment of the trauma or phobia. As Roger Callahan so often states, we want to get to the root causes to eliminate the symptoms from their source of origin.
http://www.stat.org.uk/pages/research1.htm |
