Abstract

Several mind body medicine interventions require an active participation of the practitioners. We intended to develop a questionnaire to operationalize and measure the “inner correspondence” of individuals practicing Yoga or Eurythmy Therapy. In an anonymous cross-sectional study we enrolled 501 individuals (61% yoga). Exploratory factor analysis (study 1) of the 12-item instrument (Cronbach's) pointed to a 3-factor solution, with one major scale and good internal consistency () and two minor scales with weak internal consistency. To improve the quality of the main scale, we added 8 new items which were tested in a sample of 135 individuals (study 2: 71% Yoga). Factor analysis confirmed a 12-item single factor (), that is, Inner Correspondence/Peaceful Harmony with Practices (ICPH). The scale correlated strongly with mindfulness (FMI; ), moderately with life and patient satisfaction (BMLSS; r between .32 and .43), and weakly negative with symptom score (VAS; ). In conclusion, the scale ICPH was confirmed as a relevant tool to measure the inner correspondence and feelings of peacefulness with practices. It can be used in clinical studies to assess the efficacy of mind-body practices involving physical movements.

Citation: Büssing, A., Edelhäuser, F., Weisskircher, A., Fouladbakhsh, J. M., & Heusser, P. (2010). Inner Correspondence and Peacefulness with Practices among Participants in Eurythmy Therapy and Yoga: A Validation Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, e329023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/329023

Homeopathic preparations are used in homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine. Although there is evidence of effectiveness in several clinical studies, including double-blinded randomized controlled trials, their nature and mode of action could not be explained with current scientific approaches yet. Several physical methods have already been applied to investigate homeopathic preparations but it is yet unclear which methods are best suited to identify characteristic physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations. The aim of this study was to investigate homeopathic preparations with UV-spectroscopy. In a blinded, randomized, controlled experiment homeopathic preparations of copper sulfate (CuSO4; 11c–30c), quartz (SiO2; 10c–30c, i.e., centesimal dilution steps) and sulfur (S; 11×–30×, i.e., decimal dilution steps) and controls (one-time succussed diluent) were investigated using UV-spectroscopy and tested for contamination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The UV transmission for homeopathic preparations of CuSO4 preparations was significantly lower than in controls. The transmission seemed to be also lower for both SiO2 and S, but not significant. The mean effect size (95% confidence interval) was similar for the homeopathic preparations: CuSO4 (pooled data) 0.0544% (0.0260–0.0827%), SiO2 0.0323% (–0.0064% to 0.0710%) and S 0.0281% (–0.0520% to 0.1082%). UV transmission values of homeopathic preparations had a significantly higher variability compared to controls. In none of the samples the concentration of any element analyzed by ICP-MS exceeded 100 ppb. Lower transmission of UV light may indicate that homeopathic preparations are less structured or more dynamic than their succussed pure solvent.

Citation: Wolf, U., Wolf, M., Heusser, P., Thurneysen, A., & Baumgartner, S. (2011). Homeopathic Preparations of Quartz, Sulfur and Copper Sulfate Assessed by UV-Spectroscopy. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, enep036. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep036

Abstract: More than two-thirds of patients in Germany use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) provided either by physiciansor non-medical practitioners (“Heilpraktiker”). There is little information about the number of family physicians (FPs) providingCAM. Given the widespread public interest in the use of CAM, this study aimed to ascertain the use of and attitude toward CAM among FPs in Germany. A postal questionnaire developed based on qualitatively derived data was sent to 3000 randomly selected FPs in Germany. A reminder letter including a postcard (containing a single question about CAM use in practice and reasons for non-particpation in the survey) was sent to all FPs who had not returned the questionnaire. Of the 3000 FPs, 1027 (34%) returned the questionnaire and 444 (15%) returned the postcard. Altogether, 886 of the 1471 responding FPs (60%) reported using CAM in their practice. A positive attitude toward CAM was indicated by 503 FPs (55%), a rather negative attitude by 127 FPs (14%). Chirotherapy, relaxation and neural therapy were rated as most beneficial CAM therapies by FPs, whereas neural therapy, phytotherapy and acupuncture were the most commonly used therapies in German family practices. This survey clearly demonstrates that CAM is highly valued by many FPs and is already making a substantial contribution to first-contact primary care in Germany. Therefore, education and research about CAM should be increased. Furthermore, with the provision of CAM by FPs, the role of non-medical CAM practitioners within the German healthcare system is to be questioned.

Citation: Joos, S., Musselmann, B., & Szecsenyi, J. (2010). Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine into Family Practices in Germany: Results of a National Survey. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2011, enep019. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/nep019

Viscum album L extracts (VAE, mistletoe) and isolated mistletoe lectins (ML) have immunostimulating properties and a strong dose-dependent cytotoxic activity. They are frequently used in complementary cancer treatment, mainly to improve quality of life, but partly also to influence tumour growth, especially by injecting VAE locally and in high dosage. The question is raised whether these higher dosages can induce any harm or immunosuppressive effects.

Citation: Kienle, G. S., Grugel, R., & Kiene, H. (2011). Safety of higher dosages of Viscum album L. in animals and humans—Systematic review of immune changes and safety parameters. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11(1), 72. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-72

This study surveyed patients and their satisfaction with an integrative anthroposophic hospital. The patients were followed up by questionnaires up to six months after a stay in a Swedish clinic. Satisfaction with the care, life satisfaction, and health-related quality of life were measured for 53 patients, 48 women, 5 men, with cancer, pain diseases, and psychosomatic problems. Sampling was consecutive and due to regional reasons. The evaluation of patients’ satisfaction from the anthroposophic clinic (AC) was compared to similar questions of patients using conventional hospital care. The stay lasted 7e21 days and was paid by the patients’ county councils. Causes for choosing AC were predominantly a positive attitude towards a holistic health view and expectations on being cared for. Less frequently noted was dissatisfaction with conventional care. Satisfaction with health care given after one month by the AC was sample scored more positively than the highest unit in the conventional clinic. This is important because women in conventional clinic report lower satisfaction. The AC sample consisted of 91% women with an average age of 54 years and a higher level of education compared to the sample from the conventional hospital. Health-related quality of life and life satisfaction was, if not significant, moderately increased during the following six months. The AC initiated a new attitude and change in life habits that stimulated the patients into improving their life style habits and hence their overall health. Still challenging is the gender question. Why do middle-aged, well-educated women experience a need for and a satisfaction in complementary and integrative health care?

Keywords: Anthroposophic care, CAM, Patient evaluation, Gender aspects, Holistic care

Citation: Arman, M., Hammarqvist, A.-S., & Kullberg, A. (2011). Anthroposophic health care in Sweden – A patient evaluation. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17(3), 170–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.11.001

[not open access]

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming an integral part of modern medicine. Complementary and alternative medicine therapy systems include natural medicinal products, nonpharmacological treatments, and counselling on health and lifestyle issues. Complementary and alternative medicine concepts are often elaborate, transcending biophysical models and employing the principles of salutogenesis. Evaluations of CAM therapy systems need to be integrative and cover the dimensions of: (1) therapeutic professionalism; (2) patient perspective and public demand; (3) conceptuality; (4) safety, effectiveness, and costs. Complex research strategies are required, which reverse the phases of conventional drug assessment. The predominant use of randomized trials would intro
duce structural bias and create an artificial picture. Important are evaluations of the whole system in real-world conditions, and
surveys on component evaluations. Systemic CAM assessments should consist of a broad array of high-quality research methods:
well-conducted randomized and nonrandomized studies, cohort studies, qualitative research, high-quality case reports and case series, studies on patient perspective, safety analyses, economic analyses, etc. Good clinical judgement, a core epistemic element of medicine based on nonstochastic principles, should also be integrated and could reflect routine patient care.

Keywords: Complex Intervention, Evidence-based Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Research Methods, Whole System Research

Citation: Kienle, G. S., Albonico, H.-U., Fischer, L., Frei-Erb, M., Hamre, H. J., Heusser, P., Matthiessen, P. F., Renfer, A., & Kiene, H. (2011). Complementary Therapy Systems and Their Integrative Evaluation. EXPLORE, 7(3), 175–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2011.02.001

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